0

My question is like this one, but only more so. My photos have been in the envelope for more than 30 years. I tried water, then steam, then turpentine, none of which worked. These are BW silver oxide photos on Kodak paper. Any ideas?

Community
  • 1
Andrew
  • 59
  • 1
  • 3
    When you say you tried water, for how long? They will need to be soaked in a bath of water at least overnight. – Chenmunka Feb 27 '17 at 15:09
  • @Chenmunka That should be a supported answer. – Zeiss Ikon Feb 27 '17 at 15:22
  • It's a little late to say this, but scan them before you try anything. I found this out the hard way. – Mick Mar 13 '17 at 11:44
  • Yes, well, we have strayed into a logical impossibility. I can't scan them until I've separated them, but before I separate them I should scan them. It is more than my poor brain can cope with, sahib. – Andrew Mar 15 '17 at 05:18

1 Answers1

3

A similar question has a full and detailed answer over on Photo.SE.

This post states that you need to keep the pictures humid for an extended period.

In my experience, soaking the photos in a bath or water for at least 12 hours will separate them. The pictures can then be carefully dried after you have carefully peeled them apart.

Community
  • 1
Chenmunka
  • 1,855
  • 6
  • 21
  • 34
  • Yes, I have tried 12 hours. However, since I now see that 12 hours is roughly right, not 'way too high, I'll try a week, since, as I say, they've been stuck together now for decades. – Andrew Mar 04 '17 at 23:33
  • Yes, a week did it. I never expected it to take so long, but they are now cleanly separate. Thanks to the net and all you experts for the right answer.Now on to the next problem: flattening. – Andrew Mar 11 '17 at 01:20