Cleaning Slides ?

[coraki]

I received a slide scanner for Christmas a Plustek opticFilm 7200
Started to scan some slides and found some have faded and many have dust and hair paticles on them.

What is the best way to clean them and what materials will I need ?

Some things I'v googled:
Fellows "Perfect Clean" cloth

Anti-Static, Film Cleaning "Tiger Cloth™" from Kinetronics

Naphtha (what is Naphtha ?)

Rexton film cleaner is a time-tested, neutral pH (acid-free) effective liquid cleaner that safely removes: fingerprints, grease ...


PEC-12, Photographic Emulsion Cleaner


You can go to any arts & crafts or art supply store and get a can of Bestine, which is simply heptane in a can.

Went to Office Depot to find some supplies for cleaning the slides they were not much help there, I purchased a can of non fammable cleaning duster, removes dirt and debris on computers, audio, video and other office equpment moisture and residue free ( Question is this okay to use on slides ?)

also stopped by a photo shop no help there either


All suggestion will be greatly appreciated

Thanks

[pixelzombie]

i'm surprised a photo store couldn't help you...i would use a camles hair brush for the dust and then get some film cleaner made for slides, preferably something that doesn't come out of a spray can...

http://emsdiasum.com/microscopy/prod...ic/static.aspx

[coraki]

Pixsel

Thanks for Your input
much appreciated

[richardsullivan]

VueScan software works with virtually any scanner, and does an amazing job ignoring scratches, mold and other problems. I have a Nikon V sanner, and use both the Nikon software and the VueScan, because each has its own strengths and weaknesses. You can try it for free: www.hamrick.com

[mistermonday]

Coraki, if the slides have been kept in their containers and just have attracted dust particles, I would recommend using an air compressor. Don't use those cans of compressed air as they can very easily leave a residue on you slides and the chemical propellent is not at all healthy. Instead, an compressor with a 5 gallon tank or even one of those small compressors used to inflate auto tires may be a good investment if you have a lot of slides to scan. They sell hand trigger nozzles for them. I also recommend an inline filter which will keep moisture from the tank from getting on your slides.
If you actually need to clean the slide because it has dirt on it, I would recommend >90% Isopropanol. Most pharmacies sell 90 - 99% solutions of it. Don't buy less than 90%. Many of the film cleaners you buy in Photo supply stores are mostly Isopropanol anyway if you read the label. It won't harm the emulsion and won't leave any residue.
Regards, Murray