Cleaning processed color negative film for scanning.

[sameer]

What is a good way to clean/wash processed color negative film strips
as a prep to scanning the film? I was thinking of bathing the film
strips in a dish of "Rexon Anti-Static Film Cleaner" and lightly
rubbing them with a soft sponge. Then, squee-geeing them dry before
inserting them into the film scanner. Any dangers to this? Any better
recommendations?

I don't want to spend too much time on the cleaning (the scanning
takes long enough). The object is to remove major stuck-on dirt. The
scanner user "Digital ICE" technology to remove surface defects.
However, I like to use it on its lightest setting because using
Digital ICE can have a softening effect on the image. But, using the
lightest setting will not remove the worst cases of dirt.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

[Jim Nason]

First question... exactly where were you storing the ngeatives so they
have "stuck on dirt". If they are in that bad shape, then I think
you should be worrying a whole lot more about your storage conditions
than the effects of Digital ICE. I use Digital ICE all the time on my
scanner.. except when scanning Kodachrome. Maybe its my eyes, but I
can't discern a significant difference between the Digital ICE scans
and those without.. except that DI saves me time in PhotoShop.
(PhotoShop 7. Mac OS X, Mac G4, 20 inch Cinema Display, Nikon CoolScan
IV, Epson 1280)

You risk much more damage by wet cleaning than you do by using Digital
ICE. If anyone gets near my negatives with a wet anything and rubs
them..... I leave the punishment up to your imagination. A wet bath
in Rexon and then hang to dry... perhaps with a gental wipe... but save
this only for the negatives that have not been damageed in the flood I
have never had. As for normal, a can of air and Digital ICE when
needed is all my slides and negatives need.

Jim