Print deterioration.

[David Roberts]

I have found recently that many of my super 8 prints are suffering from what I think is the film base breaking down. It manifests as lots of black specks dancing all over the picture.This comes and goes ie is not constant. It is occuring on b/w and colour prints.
The films are stored at normal room temperatures and treated with "cres clean" from CHC.
Any thoughts please?

[Osi Osgood]

It sounds like a drying of the film base, to be sure. Have you inspected as to what film stocks are affected? Is it specific to one film stock or common to all? As a side thought, I have always worried about the continual use of alcohol based film cleaners.

[Brian Fretwell]

I don't think Cresclean is alcohol based, I know it isn't carbon tetrachloride based anymore but think it is more an oil derivative now.

[David Roberts]

Thanks for that input. I think cresclean is oil based judging by how greasy it is. Ive used it for years and never had problems.

[Lee Mannering]

I've been devoted to Thermofilm, 2.22 and Film Renew the first two being long gone.
Film Renew is a good cleaner and very light lubricant.
If you want the business its Film Guard which im sold on really excellent and goes a very VERY long way. Ive never likes the wax based stuff as a film maker.