Soft Emulsions and hardeners

[robhooley167]

Hi all

as has been mentioned on 2 of my threads with photos in, my negs are getting scratched when they are being handled quite lightly, this was suggested to be the films i was using having soft emulsions and maybe handling before the emulsions were properly dry. so i left a film to dry overnight and it still scratched. Can anyone recommend a hardener i can add to my fix (ilford rapid) Adox suggest adding a bit of sodium sulphite to the wash, but i cant see this doing a great deal of good bar cleaning the fixer off. :shrug: i know kodak do a 2 part fixer and hardener, but i have just bought a bottle of rapid fixer and dont want to waste money.
So if anyone knows a hardener i can add as and when i need it, that would be grand

Thanks
Rob

 

[s162216]

Ilford rapid fixer is incompatible with hardeners according to the datasheet, I wouldn't like to think how it may react if you did add one.

Silverprint sell a separate hardener should you want to try:

http://www.silverprint.co.uk/ProductByGroup.asp?PrGrp=58

 

[robhooley167]

i guess ill just have to get some hypam rapid fixer and some hardener, it was worth a try
Thanks

 

[s162216]

According to another Ilford datasheet that I've just read, when using a hardener with Hypam fixer you need to extend the fix and wash times. Ilford recommend between 4 and 10 minutes for fixing and 10 - 20 minutes for washing in running water.