Get a board or table sturdy enough to set your manual hand rewinds on to ensure it’s secure and ready for the next step. [1] X Research source The following steps will work for 16mm film as well.
Wind the left manual rewind to ensure that the film rolls between the rewinds easily.
Make sure that your microfiber cloth is free from any contaminates and is ready for use before applying it to the surface of your film reel. Some people prefer silicone cloths, which are also a great option and can be used the same way as a microfiber cloth.
Remember to store your freshly cleaned film rolls in a cool, dark place, like a cabinet drawer, free of other objects that could poke, rip or spill onto your reel.
This cleaning method will also work for 16mm film.
If you’re working to clean mold off your reel, wear a KN95 mask to protect yourself from inhaling mold spores.
Wind the left-hand rewind to ensure that the film is rolling properly between the right and left sides.
Filmrenew is a very popular film reel cleaner amongst the film community, though it does take a few days to dry, whereas other cleaning agents take much less. Some people use film cleaning machines, though hand-cleaning your film reels is considered the safest, most effective method.
Work your way through the entirety of the reel by slowly gliding your microfiber cloth across the front and back, winding the reel forward with the manual hand rewind every second or so. Slowly running the reel through the moistened microfiber cloth minimizes the risk of the cleaner drying too rapidly, which could cause the film to stick together and become damaged.
Make sure that your microfiber cloth is free from any contaminates and is ready for use before applying it to the surface of your film reel. Some people prefer silicone cloths, which are also a great option and can be used the same way as a microfiber cloth.
Stack and store your film reels horizontally for even pressure distribution.
Rubber bands also deposit sulfur compounds onto the film as it breaks down, which can deteriorate the silver in the reel.
Film reels can easily become brittle and damaged over time, so having them digitized with multiple copies ensures that you won’t lose your priceless family memories or beloved collection pieces.
