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Author Topic: Static problems Joe Beres Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 606 From: Minneapolis, MN, USA Registered: Nov 2000 posted 12-12-2002 08:47 PM                     I too, know a guy that is a real pinch on one occasion, sprayed some WD-40 on a print to clean it and eliminate a terrible static problem. (This predated FilmGuard as I understand it) As my eyes popped out of my head at the telling of the story, he told me that he thinks that FilmGuard is partially a compound similar to WD-40 combined with something like carnauba wax. Now, even after hearing his story, I wouldn't put WD-40 on a print ever, but I must admit that the smell of FilmGuard is very reminiscent of the odor of WD-40.  |  IP: Logged Brad Haven Master Film Handler Posts: 300 From: fremantle, West Australia Registered: Aug 2001 posted 12-12-2002 10:09 PM                     I too have had WD-40 recommended to me as a film lubricant, by older projectionists, i haven't and wont use it! I do find that film guard wont work on some problem prints though, i edge wax and find it works beautifully on 99% of films.  |  IP: Logged Ray Brown Expert Film Handler Posts: 111 From: Dayton, WA, USA Registered: Sep 2002 posted 12-13-2002 12:09 AM                        Has anybody tried using the optional anti-static rollers for the AW3? I'm curious if anybody has had any luck with this.  |  IP: Logged Aaron Sisemore Flaming Ribs beat Reeses Peanut Butter Cups any day! Posts: 3061 From: Rockwall TX USA Registered: Sep 1999 posted 12-13-2002 12:37 AM                     I SWEAR I have seen an article in Boxoffice that instructed operators to use WD-40 applied by wiping the edges of a reel from a rag to help with unsteady print troubles. Maybe someone with a pile of old Boxoffice mags can find the article? No, I never tried it. -Aaron  |  IP: Logged Alex Grasic Film Handler Posts: 90 From: Toronto, ON, Canada Registered: Jul 2002 posted 12-13-2002 03:39 AM                     Well I have a very good feeling that this static problem is almost certainly the result of low RH. One of the managers at my theatre actually suggested to one of the other projectionists to give the print a spray with WD40...I freaked!! I didn't know the actual impact of WD40 on the print but I did know that it probably wasn't too great for it either. I heard of some strips similar to the ones you'll find on steps to avoid slipping but even thinner than those which are supposedly attached to the platter which create enough friction to offset the static on the print?? I purchased one humidifier now and have it by one machine which is a big problem for static. It seems to have made quite a difference over the past couple of days...could this possibly be the best way to go?  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 12-13-2002 07:52 AM                     I have one customer that swears by the aluminum anti-static rollers. He is also a Film-Guard user too (every show). He likes the rollers for two reasons...they are conductive and they use a needle bearing type hub rather than the standard no-bearing hub. Steve  |  IP: Logged John Pytlak Film God Posts: 9987 From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922 Registered: Jan 2000 posted 12-13-2002 08:01 AM                        Again, even though KODAK VISION Color Print films have a conductive anti-static base, the static charge needs a path to ground to fully discharge. Conductive rollers with conductive bearings with well-grounded equipment should definitely help. In addition to metal rollers, some plastic rollers are now available with conductive additives. Non-conductive rollers and platter surfaces can be treated with topical antistats like Static Guard.  |  IP: Logged John Pytlak Film God Posts: 9987 From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922 Registered: Jan 2000 posted 12-13-2002 08:05 AM                        Alex Grasic wrote: "I purchased one humidifier now and have it by one machine which is a big problem for static. It seems to have made quite a difference over the past couple of days...could this possibly be the best way to go?" Yes, high capacity evaporative humidifiers will help get the relative humidity closer to the recommended range of 50 to 60 percent RH, and should help considerably. Rochester shares similar weather with Toronto (we're just across Lake Ontario), and last week's really cold weather probably resulted in indoor humidity being very low, which would make static more of a problem. I know I was getting shocks after walking across a carpet.  |  IP: Logged Michael Schaffer "Where is the Boardwalk Hotel?" Posts: 4143 From: Boston, MA Registered: Apr 2002 posted 12-13-2002 08:24 AM                        Would you recommend to install a (I do not know the proper English term) link between projector and platter other than the steering cable to establish a common ground?  |  IP: Logged John Pytlak Film God Posts: 9987 From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922 Registered: Jan 2000 posted 12-13-2002 08:32 AM                        I don't know the details of German electrical codes, but in general, the normal grounding mandated by most codes should suffice for providing the path to ground for static. If the code allows, wiring the frame of the equipment to a cold water pipe or system ground could also be done, but be careful not to form ground loops.  |  IP: Logged Scott Norwood Film God Posts: 8146 From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas) Registered: Jun 99 posted 12-13-2002 09:54 AM                        I can't believe some of the weird substances that people think should be used on film. WD40? Xecote? Yuck! On the recommendation of another projectionist, I actually did use a bit of vaseline at one point on a B&W ESTAR-base print that was shedding like crazy and it seemed to help. Hopefully it didn't cause permanent damage to the print.  |  IP: Logged Alex Grasic Film Handler Posts: 90 From: Toronto, ON, Canada Registered: Jul 2002 posted 12-15-2002 10:06 PM                     I'm thinking that the humidifier solution might be it. My booth is spread across 4 individual rooms. Two of the smaller rooms become a big problem during the winter just because of a lack of good ventilation for one thing. Now that I've seen the result of using the unit at one projector, I feel it might be the most cost effective solution (which is exactly what my bosses want to hear).  |  IP: Logged Mark DeLettera Film Handler Posts: 54 From: Venice, Florida Registered: Aug 1999 posted 12-16-2002 02:39 PM                     Alex... As John Pytlak asked before: "...Let me know the feature title, and magenta edgeprint codes of any prints that are especially prone to "static cling"..." Was this happening on different prints, on different projectors or was it basically 'one bad apple'?? Thanks!  |  IP: Logged Alex Grasic Film Handler Posts: 90 From: Toronto, ON, Canada Registered: Jul 2002 posted 12-18-2002 03:53 AM                     Well, it was happening on three different prints on two machines beside each other. Not much ventilation around those machines. I can be certain it wasn't the prints because they've moved since and haven't been a problem at all.  |  IP: Logged John Pytlak Film God Posts: 9987 From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922 Registered: Jan 2000 posted 12-18-2002 08:54 AM                        Sounds like it was a localized problem with very low humidity during that cold spell last week in Toronto. Glad the humidifiers helped. If a particular print title is problematic, let us know the magenta edgeprint code for the affected reels, so we can track the conductivity of the film stock.  |  IP: Logged

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