- Film Preservation Handbook Contents
- Film Construction
- Base Polymers & Decomposition
- Gelatin
- Image Forming Materials
- Damage to Films
- Cold Storage of Film
- Preparation for Long Term Storage
- Occupational Health & Safety
- Condition Reporting
- Film Identification & Handling
- Film Repair
- Conservation Treatments
- Photographic Duplication
- Disaster Planning
Conservation Treatments
Before attempting any treatment a thorough assessment of the films' condition and stability needs to be made.
Some treatments, especially those using aqueous solutions, will damage unstable emulsions and bases.
Cleaning
Dirt and grease accumulates on the emulsion and base of a film through handling and static electrical charge. Dirt is not only a nuisance in blemishing the projected image but can cause physical damage during handling and can contain chemicals that will accelerate deterioration of the image or film base.
- Spot Cleaning
- Dry Dust Back
- Wet Dust Back
- Particle Transfer Rollers
- Solvents
- Ultrasonic Cleaning
- Buffer Roller Cleaners
- Aqueous Cleaning
Rewashing
Rewashing is not the same as cleaning a film although no doubt there is some cleaning action occuring. Rewashing is designed to reduce surface blemishes such as minor scratching, some mould damage and the effects of ferrotyping.
"Unblocking" film
On occasion film can adhere to itself with the reel to form a solid mass, known as blocked, that cannot be unwound without causing serious damage to the emulsion, the base or both. The film can become blocked by two known mechanisms:
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