Washing aids - yay or nay?

[captainslack]

Are washing aids necessary when developing film? I don't remember using them when I did it back in college. We just washed our negs under running water after the fix was done and then did the wetting agent treatment.

Reason I ask is that I'm getting ready to do my own negs for the first time since college (12 years - has it been THAT long?) and I want to make sure I've got all my bases covered.

[kaiyen]

Well, according to my amazing FAQ at http://www.kaiyen.com/photos/pages/chemicals.html :-)

A wash aid:

1 - helps get out the last bit of dye from the film base

2 - it saves you wash time, which saves you water. you can use the Ilford wash method if you use a wash aid.
allan

[troym]

Yay.

It's not necessary, but using a washing aid (1) makes for much faster wash times and (2) helps get rid of the various dyes in modern black and white films.

[peterc]

Originally Posted by kaiyen

you can use the Ilford wash method if you use a wash aid.

According to Ilford you can use the Ilford wash method without a wash aid if you use a non-hardening fixer.

Peter

[ChrisN]

Do you mean when developing, or when washing?

Yes to washing (final rinse), no to developing.

[kaiyen]

Oh right - forgot about the non-hardening part. Righty-o. :-)

I still think it doesn't hurt to have the wash aid in there. It adds just a bit of extra time.

allan

[captainslack]

I'm using Ilford Rapid Fixer, which doesn't require a hardener. And yes, I mean are they necessary as a final step after the fixing is complete and before the final rinse.

[peterc]

Originally Posted by captainslack

I'm using Ilford Rapid Fixer, which doesn't require a hardener.

You won't need a washing aid if you've used Rapid Fixer. You can wash for 5 minutes in running water or use the Ilford method:

When a non-hardening fixer has been used wash the films in running water for 5–10 minutes at a temperature within 5ºC (9ºF) of the process temperature.
For spiral tank use, when a non-hardening fixer has been used, the following method of washing is recommended. This method of washing is faster, uses less water yet still gives negatives suitable for
long term storage.
After fixing, fill the spiral tank with water at the same temperature, +/– 5ºC (9ºF), as the processing solutions and invert it five times. Drain the water away and refill. Invert the tank ten times.
Once more drain the water away and refill.
Finally, invert the tank twenty times and drain the water away.

Peter

[captainslack]

Thanks! One less chemical to buy!