Re: [ARSCLIST] Mag on film cleaning

["Scott D. Smith" <lists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Jen,

_IF_ the film is still in good condition, the best approach might be an 
alcohol or HFE based ultrasonic cleaner (made by Lipsner-Smith). I would 
tend to avoid using perc cleaners, as they tend to shrink older acetate 
based film materials.

You should definitely consult a professional motion picture lab on this. 
We have used Colorlab in Maryland for some of our film cleaning, but I 
don't think they have HFE based equipment.

If the mag stripe is starting to de-laminate, do not clean the film 
using ultrasonic cleaning, as you will have no stripe left at the end of 
process. In a case like this, only hand cleaning should be done, using 
Ecco, or perhaps Renovex. However, I have not done any test to determine 
what the long-term effects of Renovex might be on mag stripe film, so I 
would proceed with caution.

A call to the George Eastman house would certainly be worthwhile. You 
could also post this to the AMIA list server [ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
<ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]. This organization has a group of people 
who specifically deal with film and video materials, and would have a 
better idea of what resources are available.

Scott D. Smith
*Chicago Audio Works, Inc.
*

Jennifer Sidley wrote:
> Bob -
> It is mag stripe w/ images.  It's camera original newsfilm, some of 
> which has literally been through a hurricane, so it will need some 
> cleaning.  It is has tape residue and dirt in the image area, and the 
> occasional dirt embedded in what is left of the track.  It is pliable, 
> not suffering from vinegar syndrome. Is there not a standard procedure 
> for labs for dealing with film w/ this kind of damage? Thanks for the 
> info!
> Jen Sidley
> Film Archivist
> Mississippi Department of Archives and History
>
> Robert J Hodge wrote:
> > Is this mag. stripe with an image on the film- or fullcoat with no
> > image?
> >
> > I never saw anything that was so bad it needed cleaning. Especially if
> > it's fullcoat 16 mm stock. "Renovex" or "Vitafilm" can be used with
> > ventilation to condition nitrate or cellulose acetate based film. 
> > I don't think anything will help bond the oxide back to the base if the
> > binder has dried out. I'd try a little test with Vitafilm or Renovex  if
> > I had some junk stock to do it with.
> > A lab might be able to do more than I'm aware of. My techniques are
> > somewhat antique, but I know they work with film with an optical
> > soundtrack.
> > If the film is just non pliant due to dryness, that might be why the
> > oxide is falling off.
> >
> > BTW, Renovex and Vitafilm will dissolve tape spices, plastic reels, and
> > film cores. I put the film on a metal reel or core for processing. Tails
> > out.
> >
> > Bob Hodge 
> >
> >