Film cleaning pads

[Jaans]

I was wondering what your favorite film cleaning pads are. I have gone to B@H website and done some research and subsequently narrowed down my search to these following two products (by using the positive reviews). I also have read on this forum that some users had good results with either or.

1) Kimswipes - are they good for cleaning of dust and gunk directly of negatives or do they have to be used in conjunction with cleaning solution such as 'Eclipse' Optic Lens Cleaning Solution?

2) Pec Pad photo wipes - do they leave nasty lint residue on the film? What about in conjunction with Pec 12 solution?

Which is best? Do they also clean water based stains off?

The reason I ask is that I want to clean before scanning. Thankyou for any insight with your experiences with these products on film (not optics).

 

[nikon_sam]

All I've ever used were cotton balls and Edwal's Film Cleaner...that combo has worked for me since high school...

 

[Al Kaplan]

Static Master brush, and the polonium strip must be thirty years old. I dry on the reels with filtered forced air, which is moderately heated if I'm in a rush.

It's easier to blow the water across the 35mm width of the film than down the 5.5 foot length.

 

[ZeissFan]

I sometimes get hard-water stains, and so I'll use some cotton and breathe on it. Seems to work well enough, because the stains will always be on the non-emulsion side.

 

[wontonny]

I'd suggest the Kim Wipes since I personally use them. Was first introduced to them in labs at school. They don't leave any lint or fibers whatsoever. They are dry, so they need to be used in conjunction with a solution of some kind. They're also disposable so you can just throw them away after some repeated use. This greatly reduces the risk of stray contaminants scratching your negatives.

 

[rya]

I am a pec pad and pec 12 user and have a pile of the pads right here. One photo prof got me started on them, another was shocked that I would use such a thing. I use them before scanning if necessary and prefer them to an air-blower.

I'd like to have a nuclear brush like Al's.

 

[Jaans]

Thanks for that great response. Do you think that either pads are suitable for wiping down hard water stains on the shiny side of the film? I have a terrible problem with this and don't want to go through the drama of rewashing. Having said that the instructions on the net say they are not suitbale for water based stains - there lies my conundrum!

Also, considering the above responses, I will probably go for the kimswipes because you get a lot more for your money at B@H than the Pec Pads.

 

[wontonny]

Thanks for that great response. Do you think that either pads are suitable for wiping down hard water stains on the shiny side of the film? I have a terrible problem with this and don't want to go through the drama of rewashing. Having said that the instructions on the net say they are not suitbale for water based stains - there lies my conundrum!

Also, considering the above responses, I will probably go for the kimswipes because you get a lot more for your money at B@H than the Pec Pads.

I've used the kimwipes for water spots on the shiny side no problem. Be very very gentle obviously.

 

[Jaans]

Thanks for that reply wontonny. I was wondering, did you use the pads with cleaning solution or just on there own? Thanks Jaan>

 

[wontonny]

Thanks for that reply wontonny. I was wondering, did you use the pads with cleaning solution or just on there own? Thanks Jaan>

I either breathe on it to fog the film up and wipe it that way or if it's some hard to get off stuff I'll use isopropyl alcohol.

 

[wray]

Delta-1 C100 film cleaner and a very old, well washed cotton t-shirt after a good brushing with either a Static Master brush or an old sable paint brush that I no longer use to paint with!