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Category: Using Various Films & Formats

Photography Question 

Kathleen J. Bielak
 

Moisture on Slides


Help! I was going through my slides and noticed moisture on several of them. They are in 8x10 sheets made to hold slides, and those are in 3-ring binders. The binders are stored in a large plastic bin to keep out dust and moisture. The sheets are supposed to be safe for slides. How do I clean the slides, and what did I do wrong in the storage of them? Thanks!


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November 02, 2007

 
- Gregory LaGrange

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  Take the slides out and blot dry gently. If there are any water spots left, try some film cleaner. If you stored them in a closed container, you need some silica packs to absorb the moisture in the air.


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November 02, 2007

 

Kathleen J. Bielak
  Thank you so much. The film cleaner I could probably get at a camera store, but the silica packets? The other thing I noticed was the bulk of the affected slides were in a particular type and brand of pages. Needless to say, these pages will make the trip to the circular file :}. Thanks again for your help. KJB


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November 03, 2007

 
- Gregory LaGrange

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  Silica packets can be found at a good camera supply store.


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November 03, 2007

 

Joan Bellinger
  If you have any shoes still in shoe boxes, check there. I often find the silica packs there.


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November 06, 2007

 

Jeff C. Andre
  Kathleen, you should be able to find silica or another desicant at most large home improvement stores, also if they are stored in a damp area like a basement try running a dehumidifier and using the silica. Silica will only absorb so much moisture before it stops.


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November 07, 2007

 

Thomas P. LaMartina
  Ask your local pharmacist to save them for you. As a druggist, we throw many of these away. Most stock drug bottles have them. Tom L


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November 12, 2007

 

Kathleen J. Bielak
  Thank you so much for your help. I went to the camera store and the clerk said film cleaner is not longer on the market due to the toxic chemicals in it. He recommended 99% denatured alcohol. Walgreens only had 91% alcohol, but I will ask the pharmacist to save the packets for me. So, other that a drug store for the alcohol, any ideas? Thanks again. KJB


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November 13, 2007

 

Thomas P. LaMartina
  Due to the nature of ethyl or isoproyl alcohol it is very difficult to get "pure alcolol". You may inquire about using methyl alcohol sometimes known as "dry gas" at your local auto store. I'm not sure of the concentration. BTW, I thought I was the last person on the planet that still shot slides


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November 13, 2007

 
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