Purpose: This is to describe how to handle film that has been damaged by mold or shrunken or whatever. This article is for major film problems. For minor contamination, check the article called "Clean and Splice Moldy Film".
Here's a list of some major problems that we can deal with:
- water damage and therefore mold on the film's surface
- minor shrinking (1 to 5% shrinkage can still be handled without doing anything, we are talking about 5-10%?)
Summary:
Basically, we need to handle the film carefully so as not to spread the contamination. First we prepare the work area. Then, we soak and clean the film. And in the process of soaking and cleaning the film, we get rid of contaminated reels and boxes by loading the clean film onto new reels. We soak the film in Filmrenew and therefore the process can take anywhere from a few days to weeks depending on what needs to be done.
Customer needs to be made aware:
- We CANNOT use the original reel or box and therefore we MUST sell them a new reel. We will splice and combine as many reels as will fit onto the new reel (ie. a 400ft reel will fit 8 small 50ft reels).
- The process can take anywhere from a few days to weeks depending on the problem.
- The cost is by the hour.
Procedure:
1. Determine the problem and the appropriate solution. All of these solutions involve using Filmrenew and soaking the film for a period of minutes to weeks:
- Is the film covered in mold? - stop mold growth and clean the film - soak in Filmrenew for 1 to 2 minutes
- Is the film stuck together? - soak film to soften film and clean - soak in Filmrenew for 30 to 60 minutes or longer until film starts to separate
- Has the film shrunk more than 5% and less than 10%? - soak film to soften and relax the film - soak in Filmrenew for days?...not sure how long
- Has the film warped or curled or other mis-shaping - soak film to soften and relax the film - soak in Filmrenew for days?...not sure how long
2. Prepare the work area (work in area with lots of fresh air....usually the carport!):
- change into clothes that can get dirty
- Clear and set up the table
- Put the film winder on the table.
- Get the 35mm cans for soaking the film.
- Get the Filmrenew and film cleaning "cloths" (PEC-PAD non-abrasive wipes or soft cloths)
- Get a bucket of solution (Persue & LOC and water) for cleaning your hands and a couple of rags for drying your hands
- To handle the contaminated items, use clamps to hang two "garbage" bags for next the processing table. One bag to handle boxes and another to handle reels.
- Get slicer, splice tapes, and leader film.
2. Organize films that will be spliced together.
- Create a folder for the project on K: and create an xls file as follows: K:\(nnnnnnn) Film Transfers - AAAAA\files\xls\AAAAA films - info (edit 1.0).xls
- Copy the xls template from.....
- Examine and document the films - in the excel sheet enter information such as notes on the film box, mailing dates, best before dates, etc
- Number each box of film as per documented
- In the excel sheet note the date order of the films in the "order #" column and sort the films in ascending date order
- Using the DVD #/reel # column, note the reel number based on how many films on each reel. For example, a 400ft reel will take 8 - 50ft reels, so the first 8 - 50ft reels will have the same reel number
- Organize the reels in a basket in reverse order, and one basket per new reel (ie. a new 400ft reel basket will contain 8 - 50ft reels).
4. Soaking films.
- place the reels with film in the 35mm canister and pour the Filmrenew in to submerge the film
- soak the film for (soaking longer than needed does not cause any damage): - 2 minutes or so for mold problem - 30 to 60 minutes or so if film is stuck together - several days for wrap-age, shrinkage, or other damage that requires the film to soften and relax - place lid on canister and store safely in the shed
5. Cleaning films.
- Change into clothes that can get dirty
- Lift film out of the Filmrenew solution
- Carefully shake off excess liquid
- Run thru film rewinder (outside in carport) using a Filmrenew dampened cloth to remove excess liquid
- Take the film and lay it out (on its edge) in the shed for drying (on clean paper towels) (should really get a proper drying rack in shed...maybe something hanging from the ceiling, etc)
- After you're done with the canister of Filmrenew, pour the Filmrenew into a container of used Filmrenew.
- After the film has dried (a few days)....rewind onto a clean reel
References:
Larry Urbanski's film cleaning instructions: