Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Flattening Polyester

This is topic Flattening Polyester in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Mitchell Dvoskin (Member # 751) on 07-08-2004, 03:36 PM:

Does anyone have a suggestion for flattening folded over polyester film. I received a print that was not wound correctly and damaged in shipment, specifically a section had the sprocket area on one side folded over because it was sticking out, and got pressed up against the side of the reel. With the older acetate film, one would just unfold it, and then wind it tightly and the crease would work it's way out. That does not seem to work with polyester, which seems to be once creased, always creased.

/Mitchell

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 07-08-2004, 03:44 PM:

It may be that the crease was so severe that it actually stretched the polyester at the bend. With triacetate film, a crease that severe would have torn or ripped the film.

How long is the creased section? Your idea of trying to fold out the crease and then winding the film is about all you can do. You may find that heating the creased area briefly with a hair dryer or heat gun may help "relax" the crease. But be careful about not overheating the film -- emulsion damage may occur as you approach 180 degrees celsius.

Why can't you request a replacement reel?

Posted by Peter Mork (Member # 1336) on 07-08-2004, 04:01 PM:

An iron, set to a low setting, will flatten out any crease nicely. Lay out some newspaper on your bench for a base. You only want to iron the part that's affected, so lay out the film and use just the edge of the iron on the creased part, ironing one section then moving the film and doing another. Experiment with junk film to get your technique right. If done right the film will run perfectly with no visible damage.

Even badly crumpled film can be flattened this way and salvaged. Of course, it looks like hell on the screen.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 07-08-2004, 07:58 PM:

If you use the iron technique, try to avoid scratching the image area, iron from the base side, and keep the temperature under 180 degrees Celsius. Again, this is a "last resort", for film that otherwise cannot be run. [Eek!]

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 07-08-2004, 10:12 PM:

Gee,
I thought by now that Kodak would have designed a "Hot" PTR roller just for this sort of fix [Confused]

.

Mark

Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 07-08-2004, 11:13 PM:

I saw some hot PTRs on eBay the other day.

Posted by Bruce Hansen (Member # 281) on 07-09-2004, 11:12 AM:

You can try using your finger nail to make a crease in the other direction, canceling out the creae you now have. This has worked for me, at times.

Posted by John Anastasio (Member # 607) on 07-10-2004, 02:34 PM:

[Cool]

Wind it really tight and then leave it in your car on the next hot day!

Posted by Ethan Harper (Member # 472) on 07-11-2004, 02:26 AM:

Ehh, Just play digital, and if all else fails, use WD-40. As you know, WD-40 fixes ALL problems.