Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/12/11
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]>>> I just got a "print dryer" in the hope to get that sheen. I suppose it >>> may be pointing to the prints not completely have the fixer washed off >>> or some other defects with my techniques, but I tried a couple times, >>> and there are "unsheened" ovals :-( The shine is really nice. Anyone >>> has any ideas? Mark Rabiner? >>> >>> The instructions mention" ferrotype polish" but googling shows that it >>> may not be practical to do anymore? >>> >>> *back to weighing down the prints for the moment* >>> > Richard, > > The polish is used on the glosssy surface of the drier. Ordinary Bon Ami > cleanser works about as well as anything, if they still make it. > > Whatever you do, don't come close to it with an RC print. That means > curtains for the surface. > > Bill Pearce > > Bon ami powder will make a Ferrotype plate instantly unusable for ferrotyping prints ever again which is just fine because you'd not want to ever do that anyway or subject your print to heat in any way especially when wet. Not in three decades. Why not take a class in photography or read a book instead of getting into photography by asking questions on email lists? Ferrotyped prints were popular with wedding photographers in the 50's in 60's and enjoyed a brief vogue in the galleries for a season. Sometimes a school darkroom or newsroom darkroom would have one set up continuously. You'd have to pre wet your print in a pre ferrotyped solution for you to get a non spotted print. By the 80's they were spurned by everybody and the RC prints came in for such reproduction purposes. The ferrotype surface was considered maybe ideal for reproduction. Not display or serious work. But even for reproduction people put the print in the dryer emulsion side to the canvas as it didn't make much difference and the ultra gloss thing was considered annoying on all accounts. A big waste of paper on all accounts. A thing your photo teacher would tell you the first day of class. http://www.apug.org/forums/archive/index.php/t-21925.html Mark William Rabiner