PEC-12 for cleaning wax from photographic emulsions

Our archive recently received a large photographic donation from a
popular architectural magazine. Many of the photographs in the
collection were used in the printing process, which involved coating
them in wax. The wax does not appear to have harmed the prints in
any way, even the older prints from the 1950s and 60s, but it's left
a sticky residue on some which makes me afraid to store them as is.
I've found that the PEC-12 emulsion cleaner does a pretty good job
of removing most of the residue, but I'm concerned about the
quantity we will be required to use, both for the personnel using it
and the photographs. One small drop on a PEC pad is really not
sufficient. Can anyone offer any advice, whether it be a different
method of removing the wax, or simply cautions about large amounts
of PEC-12? Is there a preference for plastic or paper storage
envelopes after cleaning?

Beth Knazook
Ryerson University Library Special Collections
350 Victoria Street
Toronto ON M5B 2K3
416-979-5000 x4996


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 23:13
                Distributed: Wednesday, October 21, 2009
                       Message Id: cdl-23-13-009
                                  ***