Films and prints absorb contaminants in processing which can lead to deterioration unless completely removed. Water will not wash alum-hardened prints or films, and extended washing with water can stain prints. ARCHIVE Fixer Remover swiftly and thoroughly removes all types of contamination, including thiosulfate and related compounds, microbiotic and mineral deposits from the water supply, air-born microbes, and hydroquinone used in the manufacture of resin-coated, stabilization and gallery-type papers.
ARCHIVE Fixer Remover alone cannot guarantee permanence. The stability of photographic images depends on many factors throughout processing, storage and handling. All SPRINT B&W products are designed to increase the potential permanence of films and prints when used as directed, including mixing, timing, agitation, and water washes.
The extremely brief time required in each SPRINT processing procedure helps to reduce stains caused by extended immersion. BLOCK Stop Bath is buffered to protect print fiber sizing against damage by acids and saturation with water and thiosulfates. RECORD Speed Fixer works quickly before excess thiosulfate absorption can begin. RECORD Alum Hardening Converter protects against abrasion. END RUN Wetting Agent & Stabilizer protects against abrasion, static charges, dust and humidity.
Dilute ARCHIVE Fixer Remover concentrate 1:9 with water to make the desired volume of working solution.
| 100ml | ARCHIVE Fixer Remover Concentrate | |
| + | 900ml | Water |
| = | 1000ml | ARCHIVE Fixer Remover Working Solution |
The life expectancy of films and prints increases with the removal of thiosulfate and other contaminants through washing. The quick BASIC PROCEDURE meets commercial requirements. Variations listed under ARCHIVAL PROCEDURES increase the effectiveness of ARCHIVE Fixer Remover to meet stricter archival requirements.
After fixing as directed in the instructions for RECORD Speed Fixer, follow this BASIC PROCEDURE to meet commercial standards of permanence. (Less than 2 mcg/cm2 thiosulfate.)
STEP |
PROCEDURE |
TIMING |
| Step 1: | Water Prewash | 1 Minute(s) |
| Step 2: | ARCHIVE Fixer Remover | 2-3 Minute(s) |
| Step 3: | Final Water Wash | 1-3 Minute(s) |
STEP |
PROCEDURE |
TIMING |
| Step 1: | Water Prewash | 1 Minute(s) |
| Step 2: | ARCHIVE Fixer Remover | 3 Minute(s) |
| Step 3: | Final Water Wash | 10 Minute(s) |
Agitate continuously for the first minute, and for 10-15 seconds of each minute thereafter. Use at any temperature 18-25°C / 64.5-77°F. For films, working solution should be at the same temperture as other solutions in the process.
The following empty & refill method is imperative for thorough washing. Most automatic washers exchange water too slowly, only once every 6-60 minutes.
For a more thorough washing procedure, that meets archival specifications, see ARCHIVAL PROCEDURES below.
Exchange water completely (empty & refill) three times in a row, then once every 20 seconds thereafter.
Exchange water completely (empty & refill) once every 20 seconds in the first minute, and then at least once every three minutes thereafter, for a total of a least 6 complete changes of water in a 10 minute Final Wash.
The BASIC PROCEDURE listed above may be changed to meet higher archival standards of permanence. (Undetectable levels of thiosulfate.)
Fix in RECORD Film Fixer working solution and follow the BASIC PROCEDURE with a full 3 minutes in Step 3: Final Water Wash.
Any one of the following variations on the BASIC PROCEDURE will reduce thiosulfate concentrations to less than 1 mcg/cm2. Any five of the following variations will reduce thiosulfate to undetectable levels.
For convenience, prints may be held in a tray of plain water between Steps 1 & 2 of the BASIC PROCEDURE for up to 30 minutes. To hold prints for more than 30 minutes, empty & refill holding tray every 30 minutes, or add 1ml (20 drops) of BLOCK Stop Bath concentrate per liter of water in the holding tray to retard microbe growth in still water.
ARCHIVE Fixer Remover is an excellent vehicle for selenium toner. To make a working solution for selenium toning, dilute ARCHIVE Fixer Remover concentrate 1:9 with water. To each liter of working solution add 15-60ml of selenium toner concentrate.
| 100ml | ARCHIVE Fixer Remover Concentrate | |
| 900ml | Water | |
| + | 50ml | Selenium Toner Concentrate |
| = | 1050ml | ARCHIVE Selenium Toner Working Solution |
After completing the BASIC PROCEDURE, immerse prints into the ARCHIVE selenium toner working solution for 1-3 minutes and then repeat the Final Water Wash (Step 3) Selenium toning may be done without completing the BASIC PROCEDURE first, but the life of the toner solution will be reduced from 3 months to 12 hours. Varying the amount of selenium toner in the working solution will alter the degree of change in print color.
ARCHIVE Fixer Remover working solution has an indicator color which is blue when fresh and changes through green to yellow as it is exhausted. ARCHIVE Fixer Remover working solution should be replaced when yellow. An accumulation of crystals which do not dissolve at room temperature and/or yellow color indicates exhaustion of ARCHIVE Fixer Remover concentrate.
One liter of ARCHIVE Fixer Remover working solution will process the equivalent of at least (60) sixty rolls of 35 mm, 36 exposure film or (60) sixty 8x10 fiber prints or (90) ninety 8x10 resin-coated prints. Capacity and indicator will vary with the effectiveness of the Water Prewash step. The capacity of used working solution diminishes with storage time.
Stored at 25°C / 77°F or lower, away from all unnecessary light, ARCHIVE has the following shelf life:
CONCENTRATE: |
MINIMUM SHELF LIFE: |
|---|---|
| Unopened Container | 12 Months |
| Opened Container (air free) | 6 Months |
| Opened Container (25% air) | 3 Months |
WORKING SOLUTION: |
MINIMUM SHELF LIFE: |
| Unused, Full Container | 3 Months |
| Used, 25% air | 1 Month |
| Uncovered Tray | 1 Week |
Storage for longer times or under less favorable conditions will reduce working solution capacity by 50% or more.
ARCHIVE ® is a Registerd Trade Mark of Sprint Systems of Photography
My film has different development times with Sprint Standard Film Developer and Kodak D 76. Aren't they the same?
