Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Using only Film Guard as ultrasonic film cleaning solvent?

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Topic: Using only Film Guard as ultrasonic film cleaning solvent?

Matthew Bailey
Master Film Handler

Posts: 461
From: Port Arthur,TX
Registered: Sep 2000

posted 09-05-2002 06:51 PM

I am wondering if you can first as an experiment use only Film Guard as an ultrasonic film cleaning solvent on ultrasonic film cleaners such as the Lipsner Smiths for example?
Or first use a suitable solvent you can get fron from a hardware or department store or some supplier such as naptha for example,run the film through it on the UFC,then change out the solvent on the UFC with Film Guard & run the film through the FG on the same cleaner.

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John Pytlak
Film God

Posts: 9987
From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922
Registered: Jan 2000

posted 09-05-2002 07:50 PM

Deep-tank ultrasonic cleaners like those made by Lipsner Smith require non-flammable solvents:
http://www.rtico.com/lipsner-links.html
http://www.rtico.com/lprducts.html

In most cases, ultrasonic cleaning is used for printing originals, where you cannot leave a residue on the film.

------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7525A
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: +1 585 477 5325 Cell: +1 585 781 4036 Fax: +1 585 722 7243
e-mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion

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Brad Miller
Administrator

Posts: 17775
From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall)
Registered: May 99

posted 09-05-2002 08:39 PM

It has been done Matthew, and with success. I have got reports from a couple of different people who have done this.

John's reply was poorly worded and seems to imply that ultrasonic cleaning cannot leave a coating on the film. What he is trying to say is that original negatives and such types of films are generally kept in a dry state. Also John seemed to imply that FG is highly flammable (which it is not), when what he is trying to say is that the hardware store items you listed would not be suitable as they could have a high flammability rate to potentially cause problems.

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John Pytlak
Film God

Posts: 9987
From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922
Registered: Jan 2000

posted 09-05-2002 08:49 PM

Even slightly flammable solvents are viewed as risky, in case of a spill or overflow. The machines are not certified for use with flammable solvents, as vapors can build up in the enclosed cabinet and be ignited by a spark. The ultrasonic tank is often heated electrically.

Yes, any residue on a printing negative may transfer to the unprocessed raw stock during contact printing, where it may interfere with the processing of the film.

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