Newbie D-76 question

[hteasley]

So I thought I mixed up a gallon of D-76 well, but when I poured it out of my opaque gallon jug into a beaker to develop a roll, it had little white flecks throughout, so it didn't mix up well enough (it's only the second gallon of D-76 I've ever mixed up from powder, so I'm new at this).

Is there anything I can do to better mix this gallon? I shook it forever in the jug, but it's still not well dissolved. Can I save it by doing something to get it to dissolve into solution better?

 

[kokoshawnuff]

did you heat the initial batch of water to around 125°F (50°C)? It helps to dissolve the powder, but give it some time so it's not still warm.

 

[BobYIL]

Was the water "hard"? Anyway, wait a day and then develop, possibly they will dissolve.

 

[hteasley]

did you heat the initial batch of water to around 125°F (50°C)? It helps to dissolve the powder, but give it some time so it's not still warm.

I'm thinking that the water may not have been hot enough. Can I reheat this? Put the jug into a tub of hot water to reheat it to get it to dissolve? Or would that not work at this stage?

 

[Rhoyle]

I mix it in hot tap water. Mine is set for 130ºF.

 

[jim_jm]

You definitely want to follow Kodak's recommended mixing instructions on the package, especially in regards to water temperature. I always use distilled water for my D76 stock solution, and again when I mix it 1:1 for the working solution. I just heat a portion of the distilled water on the stove (in a clean pot) to boiling, then combine it with cold water in a large plastic pitcher until I reach the target temp. Pour in the powder and stir very thoroughly until no more sediment can be seen settling at the bottom. I would not pour it in a jug and shake it - I would expect the violent mixing of air bubbles within the developer may shorten the life of your stock solution.

 

[kokoshawnuff]

I'm thinking that the water may not have been hot enough. Can I reheat this? Put the jug into a tub of hot water to reheat it to get it to dissolve? Or would that not work at this stage?

I'd be inclined to say it would work (but I've not tried it). Maybe a couple minutes in the microwave and mix it (but give it 24 hours to settle to make sure everything is well); if the 'flecks' are still there then it didn't work, and it may be worth just mixing another batch.

 

[Tom A]

When you mix D76 it is important to keep the temperature at 50C+ and when you pour in the chemicals to stir, do it slowly (too much and too fast will cause oxygen to be absorbed and shorten the life of the stock).
With the "specks" of undissolved chemistry in your stock - you might try to heat the mixture as suggested to 50+C (water bath) and se if the flecks dissolve. If not, run the stock solution through a coffee filter to remove them. Do a test roll to see that the times you are using are still the same or close to it.

 

[hteasley]

OK, thanks for the advice. I think my water must not have been hot enough, or I didn't get it fully dissolved before I added more water in. I'll see if I can reheat this somehow, and if that doesn't work, maybe I just do a new batch.

Thanks again.

 

[mdarnton]

Heat is the answer, but when I used D76, I would just ignore those flakes, and plunge on developing, without ever a problem.