I've been using hypo clear as a helping washing aid on my RC prints. I ussually leave the papers on hypo for 2 min, and agitate for 1 more min and follow up with 10 min running water on the trays. Is this too long? Am I wasting my time? Also, I notice that prints left on a water bath for longer than a few minutes have a tendency to split/curl(I keep the prints on water untill I'm finished with the printing session). Should I print and wash imediately? Or it's ok to just give a quick rinse, hang up to dry and them, at end of the printing session, wash all the prints for the proper time? Thank you for any feedback. Rosane Zenha

-- Rosane Zenha (rosanez@earthlink.net), October 04, 1999

Answers

You don't need the wash aid, and your prints are frilling because of the long wet time.

Fix normally, then wash single prints in an efficient washer for about 5 minutes.

-- John Hicks / John's Camera Shop (jbh@magicnet.net), October 04, 1999.

Hi Rosane,

I think it can also depend on the fixer you are using. I've had bad experience trying to wash the non-hardening powder-based fixers. In those cases, I used hypo eliminator (2min.) to get rid of all the excess chemical residues. Then, I wash for about 5 min. in running water. If, however, the use of a hardening fixer is not a problem, I use rapidfix from Ilford or Agfix from Agfa. With these rapid fixers, I fix for 1 min. and wash for about 2 min. in running water. Good luck.

-- David (dna2367@hotmail.com), October 04, 1999.