RC Washer for Fiber

[PlantedTao]

Just got a dunwright & vogel RC washer (thanks Larry!)
Will this work for fiber. Buyer stated it would and I dont see why it would not...
maybe longer wash time.
Can anyone give some good tips on washing your fiber prints for archival quality?

Cheers.

Jason

 

[Bryce]

Jason-
Congratulations!
As nearly as I can tell, getting archival washing accomplished with fiber paper is all about time, moderate agitation, and reasonably fresh water. The wash units I've seen for the purpose consist of a linked list of slots that are allowed to fill with water, with the water flowing slowly from one end to the other. Flow rate of the water is very low, just enough to keep pure water against the surfaces of the prints and slowly dilute the fixer out of the print.
Of course there is wash aid and Selenium (or other metal) toners to use also.
I've never had the luxury of an archival washer, so my (laborious and inefficient) method has been to wash a few prints in a tray with a siphon for at least 2 hours, reshuffling the prints every few minutes and making sure the topmost one doesn't dry.
So, you see how jealous I am?

 

[plummerl]

Hi Jason! There is an (800) number from about 7 years ago, for DunWright & Vogel: 800-359-4231.

Generally, as long as you follow a regimen that includes a hypo-clear and a wash system that keeps the prints separated with a good water flush, you should be OK. There are test methods for determining residual fixer.

 

[Bryce]

I might add that some of my prints are as much as 4 years old and haven't faded yet. They MUST be archival, right?

 

[PlantedTao]

Ok, by the sounds of it this washer should do the trick...
I'll try to give them a call and see what they say. It looks like it will keep several (5ish) seperated and have water flow over them, which by the sounds of it is all you need.
Ok, one more component of the darkroom off my check list. Now just to get my sink and regulator and build the thing...
so close 🙂 🙂

Thanks fellas!

Jason