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Author Topic: What's the easiest way to remove masking tape from film? Daniel Fuentz Expert Film Handler Posts: 230 From: Fresno, CA, USA Registered: Apr 2003 posted 05-01-2003 10:00 PM                     I was given a print of a 1980's Festival Theaters policy trailer, but whoever used it last cut off the leaders and then put a big hunk of MASKING TAPE over then end. Since this has been like this for a number of years, the masking tape has left a nasty residue on the tail end of the trailer. There are also a number of fingerprints and crap all over the end of the film, since the tail leader was never spliced back on. Is there any way to clean this, or is it ?  |  IP: Logged Aaron Mehocic Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 804 From: New Castle, PA, USA Registered: Jun 99 posted 05-01-2003 10:19 PM                     I have used Filmguard to remove masking tape residue with great results. Obviously your situation is different then mine since my residue was only a year old at worst. Try it. You may be pleasantly surprised.  |  IP: Logged Paul G. Thompson The Weenie Man Posts: 4718 From: Mount Vernon WA USA Registered: Nov 2000 posted 05-01-2003 10:24 PM                     Filmguard will aid in masking tape residue removal.  |  IP: Logged Ken Layton Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1452 From: Olympia, Wash. USA Registered: Sep 1999 posted 05-02-2003 01:24 AM                     I've always used lighter fluid (has Naptha in it).  |  IP: Logged Daniel Fuentz Expert Film Handler Posts: 230 From: Fresno, CA, USA Registered: Apr 2003 posted 05-02-2003 04:04 AM                     Whew. I'm relieved to know this IS salvageable! Now I have to get my hands on some Film-Guard and I'll have to befriend a projectionist at the local megaplex so I can actually view this thing!!  |  IP: Logged Mike Rendall Film Handler Posts: 78 From: Southampton, Hampshire, UK Registered: Nov 2002 posted 05-02-2003 07:46 AM                     From a scientific point of view, the best product so far that can dissolve the glue residue but without attacking the film base is 1,1,1-TriChloroethane. This substance IS hazardous to health when used in very large quantities but for small cleaning purposes on very bad prints with an open window or adequate ventilation is fine. In the UK, this used to be sold as Tipp-ex thinner but I think they have since changed the base solvent. Being a chemist I also tried a selection of other solvents (in a proper chemical laboratory rather than in a film exhibition environment) and I would discount any of the following as they didn't work : Ethanol Acetone / propanone (Eats polyester prints!) I am still looking to see if there are any other solvents out there - (would be interesting to find out what the key ingredient in film guard is!) Mike  |  IP: Logged Mitchell Dvoskin Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1869 From: West Milford, NJ, USA Registered: Jan 2001 posted 05-02-2003 07:52 AM                     Film Guard is great for cleaning dirt and hiding scratches, but for removing tape residue, I prefer ECCO 1500 film cleaner, available at many larger camera stores and on-line. The ECCO works better on tape residue and evaperates quickly.  |  IP: Logged John Pytlak Film God Posts: 9987 From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922 Registered: Jan 2000 posted 05-02-2003 08:04 AM                        Kodak's website has a list of solvents suitable for film cleaning: http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/hse/solvent.jhtml?id=0.2.16.20&lc=en 1,1,1-trichloroethane (methyl chloroform) was widely used as a film cleaner (was the primary solvent used in many proprietary film cleaning formulas), but it is no longer manufactured because of the Montreal Protocol agreement to eliminate the use of chemicals that deplete stratospheric ozone. http://www.epa.gov/ozone/ http://www.epa.gov/docs/ozone/intpol/ http://www.epa.gov/reg3artd/ozonelayer/ozonemain.htm http://millimeter.com/ar/video_kodak_receives_epa/index.htm Mike Rendall wrote: quote: Acetone / propanone (Eats polyester prints!) Acetone attacks many plastics, especially TRIACETATE film base.  |  IP: Logged Philippe Laude Film Handler Posts: 79 From: Longueville, Belgium Registered: Jul 99 posted 05-02-2003 08:16 AM                     I second Mike Rendall, TriChloroethane is the right solvent! Wear gloves, use in a well-ventilated era! Philippe Laude  |  IP: Logged John Pytlak Film God Posts: 9987 From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922 Registered: Jan 2000 posted 05-02-2003 08:34 AM                        Although 1,1,1-trichloroethane (methyl chloroform) is no longer legally manufactured, existing and recycled supplies of it may still be available.  |  IP: Logged Carl King Expert Film Handler Posts: 199 From: Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada Registered: Mar 2000 posted 05-02-2003 08:41 AM                     I use Xecote film lube with great results. I haven't used Film Guard for that purpose yet.  |  IP: Logged John Pytlak Film God Posts: 9987 From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922 Registered: Jan 2000 posted 05-02-2003 08:48 AM                        AFAIK, earlier formulas for XeCote, ECCO-1500, Retec, Renovex, and other fast-evaporating film cleaners contained solvents like 1,1,1-trichloroethane.  |  IP: Logged William Leland III Master Film Handler Posts: 336 From: Charleston, SC, Registered: Aug 2002 posted 05-02-2003 09:26 AM                        Just curious what does the 1,1,1 in 1,1,1-TriChloroethane stand for?  |  IP: Logged John Pytlak Film God Posts: 9987 From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922 Registered: Jan 2000 posted 05-02-2003 09:33 AM                        quote: Just curious what does the 1,1,1 in 1,1,1-TriChloroethane stand for? Information only an organic chemist would love: http://www.lhc.org.uk/members/pubs/books/chem/cheabaaa.htm http://www.inchem.org/documents/pims/chemical/trichlor.htm (Same formula, different chemical structure or "isomers")  |  IP: Logged William Leland III Master Film Handler Posts: 336 From: Charleston, SC, Registered: Aug 2002 posted 05-02-2003 10:31 AM                        thanks, but what is an organic chemist.....  |  IP: Logged

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