T-Grrl

I've been going back and forth between capillary film and emulsion, mostly because I am just getting started and won't be exposing a lot.

I have a designated space to use for a darkroom, but do not have a sink in there. Does anyone have any tips for washing the screen after exposure? I've read mixed posts on making a run for it to wash off the screen in the bath or sink.

Any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks.

 

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SketchBox

I havent had a problem with taking it somewhere else to wash it out, it wont expose in the amount of time it takes to walk to the bathroom. Thats just my experience.

 

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God Father

I used to also run from the darkroom to outside to wash out a screen and didn't have any problems. Now I just use a plastic bin in my darkroom and use a spray bottle. I soak the screen let it sit and give a light rub with a light scrub pad. I have no problems doing it that way either though some might say you can't get all the emulsion out that way.

 

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mtmob

what??????? that scrub pad is a bad idea that can really ruin your image although letting the water sit is a great idea i use a small hose connected to my sink with a garden hose nossle which applies the right pressure to washout the image.

 

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T-Grrl

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the input. I think I'm going to give it a try. Do any of you use capillary with this method?

If I go the capillary route, I plan on using Ulano. I was just wondering if it is any more difficult to wash than emulsion after burning the image.

 

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mtmob

From what i hear about capillary film is that its the same as emulsion....with one benefit that your coating would be more consistent...


Good Luck

 

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RichardGreaves

After exposure, the stencil will still absorb water and swell up. When it is swollen with water, it is very vulnerable to damage such as scrubbing.


ZBF Screen Making Manual



ZBF Screen Making Manual


If you have to wash out your stencil outside, do everything you can to protect your precious stencil from UV energy that can flash the surface and make washout more difficult once you have taken off the positive.

You are not going to find any difference between capillary film and direct emulsion, but you will have a difference between the sensitivity of individual stencils.

A very fast emulsion like Ulano QTX will be more sensitive than a slower emulsion like QX-1.

Make a test. Block off an area of unused stencil with something that will block all exposure like a shirt cardboard or Rubylith. Take a scrap positive and tape it to the unexposed area AFTER you have exposed the stencil with your actual job positive. Pull it off as you start to spray with water and you will see if any exposure is taking place as you move the screen to your washout area.


Nassau December 2002 - sink not installed yet


Look, using a street light as a back light!

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Screenanator

we actualy adapted a weed sprayer wand to a faucet...of course we've got a fiberglass bathtub enclosure for a washout booth...LOL....it spaced up about 3 feet off the ground.....anyways....get a 3 gallon weed srayer and use it in the bathtub...works great.

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T-Grrl

Thank you Richard and Screenanator, I appreciate the tips. I am going to try washing the screens out in the bathtub. I will also try the stencil test you suggested Richard. I think the weed sprayer will work also.

Once I have made an attempt, I will post how it went.

 

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