Cleaning Film--- by Dr. Film
(Editor's note...... Film cleaning and what is the
best chemical, method etc. are wonderful topics that generate
lots of conversation when collectors get together. Everyone seems
to have their favorite way of doing things. Thanks to Dr. Film
for submitting his thoughts and this informative piece.)
Rx for Film Cleaning:
How often? Most importantly, don't over clean! Many
collectors become positively paranoid about cleaning their films.
Their compulsive efforts are better directed to keeping the
projector and it's film gate clean. Barring unusual
circumstances, once a film is cleaned it need not be cleaned for
several years. Over cleaning or lubricating is trauma to film.
Too much film chemical will soften tape splices and cause them to
give out. Too much film chemical will discolor plastic reels.
Most film chemical manufacturers and sellers would have you
believe that you can never use too much.... that the film sucks
it up and is reborn.... sorry, I wish it were true but it is not.
Years ago when brand new film came from the lab and had never
experienced the thrill of going though a projector, we called
such film "green". Such film often jumped in the gate
and it was tempting to try "lubricating". This was not
necessary as a green film always "broke in" after
several showings. Unfortunately we rarely see green film anymore
and your prints are broken in.. but I mention this to stress the
fact that you shouldn't over clean or run for the chemical bottle
too often. Use chemical sparingly!
What chemical? The environmentalists and public
concern for human health have pretty much destroyed the large
arsenal of film cleaning and lubricating products that once
adorned the projection booth. Kodaks, RTI and others no longer
supply those wonderful cleaners which unfortunately cause cancer
or destroy the ozone layer. Now there is only one product
generally available.... Urbanski's FilmRenew. It would be of no
use for me to compare it with the products no longer available.
The important thing is that you can get it and it works. Larry
Urbanski (a very reputable dealer btw) is to be commended for his
continuing to meet the needs of film collectors by supplying this
product. I hope Larry is not offended when I urge you to use
FilmRenew sparingly. A little goes a long way. Use only enough to
get the job done. Yes, saturation techniques may be called for in
special situations, e.g. warped film, I.B. curl, etc., (and I'll
write on that soon), but we are talking routine maintenance here.
Bottom line... get some FilmRenew. It's also good for cleaning
the film gate. Also, put some in a spray bottle and when a film
is making lots of noise while being projected you can spray the
sides of the reel and quiet it down. Don't use any petroleum
solvents on film. Do not spray WD-40 in the film gate or on film.
Especially dirty film sections can be hand worked with a well
saturated cloth of FilmRenew.... that should work.
How do I apply the cleaner? I have an
RTI film cleaning machine which does a good job. I found it at a
film convention a few years ago for $200.00 and had the necessary
truck to haul it home. If you ever have the opportunity to buy
one then consider that 99% of the time I use it as a fast film
rewinder. You can clean lots of film quickly with a machine, but
it won't be better than what you can do by hand. Simply use a
nice, soft, lint free cloth..... keep it moist with FilmRenew
.... hold it wrapped around the film.... using your rewinds, run
the film thru the cloth. Change cloths when noticeably dirty.
Check that your cloth is not scratching film.
(Editor.... thanks to Larry Urbanski for his thoughts.)
I agree that one can overclean. Once clean, you can go several
years without re-application. People typically ask me "how
much" should you clean. This is of course based on usage. If
someone was running films in a museum on a daily basis, I'd
recommend every month. If you watch a film twice in three years,
every few years is more than adequate.
One can tell if a print runs "rough" and it indicates
re-application is necessary. You develop a "feel' as to how
often your collection should be cleaned, depending on your
projection habits.
I do have a different opinion regarding "green" prints.
A green print is a new print never run. If I see I have a
"new" print of an educational or tv show (a lucky find)
I dip the print in Filmrenew. Whatever the lab has applied 40
years ago has dried out. I've experimented with these prints. If
you run a "green" print to break it in they very easily
line. They all line where the pressure gate hits (between the
soundtrack & picture). If your projector is a little off or a
roller is stuck you can get surface abrasions that show in the
next viewing. By applying Filmrenew (I usually run them wet the
first time) the print is perfect...just as new going into the
projector, as it is coming out. With green new prints, consider
it a "failsafe".
I used to be affiliated with Blackhawk, and I would sell their
Mcgraw Hill new excess prints. Some of these green prints would
chatter in the gate. I recall figuring that they would
"break in". However, all this rougness and chattering
caused abrasions on the prints I later found in inspection.
In conclusion, put something on them if they are
"green."
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