Slowing the vinegar syndrome in old film

[ow...@chickenfriedsteak.us]

Good morning:

A few years ago, I picked up a 35mm film reel of a movie trailer from
the mid-1980s. I bought it at auction, wound onto itself (no reel),
in a plastic bag. As a movie memorabilia collector that knows nothing
about film preservation, I've left it in the bag (though not sealed)
since I bought it.

In the last 6 months, I've been looking around online for information
on what I can do to help this trailer last as long as possible (it's
available on every DVD version of the film as a special bonus feature,
so I'm only interested in keeping it for sentimental reasons, and not
historical archiving). Obviously, step one would be to finally spool
this onto a reel (I was looking at some acid free polypropylene
reels / canisters), but what can I do to help slow the vinegar
syndrome?

I've read a few articles about using molecular sieve desiccant, but
I'm not sure how to use it, or even the best place to buy it - most
places I've seen online only sell it by the drum, and the articles
I've found on this date back to the late 1990s, referencing companies
that aren't in business anymore.

Can anyone help me out?

[Scott Dorsey]

<ow...@chickenfriedsteak.us> wrote:
>Good morning:
>
>A few years ago, I picked up a 35mm film reel of a movie trailer from
>the mid-1980s. I bought it at auction, wound onto itself (no reel),
>in a plastic bag. As a movie memorabilia collector that knows nothing
>about film preservation, I've left it in the bag (though not sealed)
>since I bought it.
>
>In the last 6 months, I've been looking around online for information
>on what I can do to help this trailer last as long as possible (it's
>available on every DVD version of the film as a special bonus feature,
>so I'm only interested in keeping it for sentimental reasons, and not
>historical archiving). Obviously, step one would be to finally spool
>this onto a reel (I was looking at some acid free polypropylene
>reels / canisters), but what can I do to help slow the vinegar
>syndrome?

So, does it actually have vinegar syndrome, or not? If it doesn't have
it, don't worry about it.

>I've read a few articles about using molecular sieve desiccant, but
>I'm not sure how to use it, or even the best place to buy it - most
>places I've seen online only sell it by the drum, and the articles
>I've found on this date back to the late 1990s, referencing companies
>that aren't in business anymore.
>
>Can anyone help me out?

Call Kodak Motion Picture services. They will sell you a big can of
molecular sieves. They might be willing to just sell you one or two
but I have only bought the can. Seal the trailer up with the sieve.
The stuff really works.

If there is even a HINT of vinegar scent, pack it up with the sieve.
If there is no vinegar scent, don't worry.

Incidentally, it will probably store better on a core than without one.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Ken Layton]

I believe Larry Urbanski (www.urbanskifilm.com) sells what you need on
his supplies page.

[Steve Kraus]

Or you can just keep it well ventilated. The "sieves" absorb (adsorb?)
acetic acid given off by decomposing cellulose triacetate base and prevents
it from catalyzing further decomposition. If the film is not sealed in a
can and is stored in a well ventilated manner there is no need for them.

[Martin Hart]

In article <_uidnZoELrA5VuPV...@earthlink.com>,
scr...@SPAMBLOCKfilmteknik.com says...

You're correct in stating that Molecular Sieve aDsorbs the acetic acid
vapor coming from film decomposition. ADsorbtion is the process of
pulling one material (acetic acid in this case) into the molecular
structure of the desiccant.

I have a fair amount of film that has gone vinegar. When I receive the
stuff it has invariably been tightly sealed in film cans or plastic
bags. The smell will knock you silly when you open the container.
However if the film is allowed to sit out in a ventilated area for a
length of time, the smell gradually dissipates and the decomposition
slows substantially.

Magnetic striping seems to be a common denominator in a lot of the film
that I have.

Marty
--
The American WideScreen Museum
http://www.widescreenmuseum.com/

[Steve Kraus]

Hope you wrap yourself in plenty of sieves, Marty. It just wouldn't do for
*you* to go vinegar on us!

[Martin Hart]

In article <AL-dnfAji67hNh_V...@earthlink.com>,
scr...@SPAMBLOCKfilmteknik.com says...

> Hope you wrap yourself in plenty of sieves, Marty. It just wouldn't do for
> *you* to go vinegar on us!
>

I don't think I'm going vinegar but with the heat we've had down here in
Houston I do smell mighty ripe. It's more of a cheese smell than
vinegar.

I need something to aDsorb the sweat.