How do you clean 8mm film?

doc_porter · Post by **doc_porter** » Sat Dec 28, 2002 2:14 am

Hello,
I have 8mm film that has been in my family for over 35yrs. I know it has never been cleaned. The film are in reel cases. How would you go about cleaning the film and how would you store it? Is there any other information that I need to know? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank's so much, Sandra

Post by **tfunch24** » Sat Dec 28, 2002 5:42 am

Either Filmrenew or Ecco Film Cleaner will do the trick. You can order both here:

http://www.chamblesscineequip.com/catalog/editing.htm

Just look under: "Movie Film and Cleaning Systems."

Good luck.

If the films have mold on them, I might suggest that you take them to a professional film restorer. Otherwise, the above cleaners should suffice.

Good luck.

Tom

Post by **studiocarter** » Sun Dec 29, 2002 2:15 am

http://www.film-center.com/clean.html

Post by **Split8mm** » Thu Jan 02, 2003 5:53 pm

doc_porter wrote:Hello,
I have 8mm film that has been in my family for over 35yrs. I know it has never been cleaned.

Hi Sandra. I use the FilmRenew as mentioned above and I'm very pleased with it. The film looks much cleaner when projected, but the biggest benefit as far as I'm concerned is the lubrication provided. The film definately runs smoother through the projector.

Good luck!

Barry · Post by **Barry** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 2:25 pm

I also want to clean my film but am not sure what to get. I checked the Widescreen Centre website and they lisk cleaning stuff here:

http://www.widescreen-centre.co.uk/price4.html

They don't mention the names given above. I assume I'd also need some sort of cloth. Could someone who knows about these things possibly look at this link and tell me what I should get?
All the best,
Barry.

YouTube · Post by **Andreas Wideroe** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 2:32 pm

You can also try Filmguard (http://www.film-tech.com).

/Andreas

Post by **Dave Anderson** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 3:00 pm

Hi All,

I'm interested in this thread too. However all of the links seem to point to "what" to buy to clean film, and now "How" to clean film as the per the original post. Can I use an old cotton t-shirt? How long does the film need to dry before winding it up on itself? How much pressure is used?

Thanks!

Dave Anderson

Post by **Dave Anderson** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 3:02 pm

Opps. I should have looked more thoroughly before I posted...

http://www.film-center.com/clean.html

That's why I'm a junior member!

Junior.

Post by **avortex** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 6:08 pm

And... what cleaner respects the magnetic soundtrack?

Post by **Ugo** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 6:42 pm

Hi people,
I use a self made cleaner: vaseline (30 %) and white petrol (70 %). The white petrol is that for the gas lighter. I have not problem with it, and it removes the scratches too. Someone has an opinion about this way?
Best regards
Ugo Grassi

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 9:11 pm

surprised theres any film to project after mixing that potion :lol: makes nitrate film look positively safe...do you use unleaded..... I am still using my supply of carbontetrachloride think that how you spell it.... cleans film well,not so kind on the mag stripe though.......

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Feb 01, 2003 2:42 pm

Thanks for the info and links. I must admit, I'm still unsure what to get. The films I have are not very dirty but it would be nice to clean/lubricate them before transfering. The Widescreen centre seems to be the best place locally that I know of. I don't want to spend a lot on a cleaning system, I just want to get a small amount of the right chemicle and whatever cloth I need.

The link I gave above links to the Widescren centre cleaning products price list. There's a fair bit of stuff there, could someone just have a quick look and advice me what I should get to just clean/lubricate my films?

Also, I'm a bit worried about scratching them while cleaning. Is this a problem that can happen?

Many thanks for your help.

andy 8 · Post by **andy 8** » Sat Feb 01, 2003 5:35 pm

Hi, as you are in the uk try these people aswell
http://www.classichomecinema.co.uk tel 08707446798 they sell cleaner....try bristol cine sales 0117 966 6066... also look up a firm called stanley productions in london, they sell colclean which is what the BBC telecine team use to clean film....

Post by **Bazz** » Sun Feb 09, 2003 3:48 pm

I've now emailed several companies including those listed here to ask if they can supply me with film cleaner (2 attempts to the widescreen centre) and not a single reply. I can only assume the order is too small for them to bother with. Any other links to UK suppliers would be much appreciated.

Post by **tim** » Sun Feb 09, 2003 6:58 pm

I use Wittner's Professional Film Cleaner.

http://www.wittner-kinotechnik.de

Widescreen centre seem to be a bit offhand when it comes to 8mm at the moment.

Have you asked

http://www.simplycine.co.uk

Filmshooting

How do you clean 8mm film?

How do you clean 8mm film?

Re: How do you clean 8mm film?

self made cleaner