Posted by Mike Jackson on April 24, 2003
D. BernhardtIt's been a couple of years since I had to make a silk screen, but I did manage to find all the parts today. I coated a screen with some Nazdasol Radid Emulsion we had stored in the refrigerator during this time. After exposing the screen for the normal amount of time, I went ahead and rinsed it out, only to blow the whole stencil away. Part of it held a minute or so, but eventually it all came out of the screen. I just coated it again and will try again later at about twice the exposure time. It would be nice to get this to work, but I am not counting on it. Since it is late Thursday evening, I know I won't be able to place an order for any until tomorrow and probably won't get it until Tuesday or so.
This next try will answer my question about whether there IS a shelf life of mixed emulsion. I suspect there must be one. I am open to suggestions tonight!
Mike Jackson
Mike JacksonShelf-life....you bet and is extended with age. A good reason to switch to film and at the same time beat the saw-toothing!
Good luck Goldie!
Danny BusselleWell, if 6-9 months is the normal refrigerated shelf life, I guess my 2 years puts me a bit over the edge. I probably have a couple tubes of CDF-4 around here, but it would be more like 5-6 years old! I should be able to borrow a small baby food jar full of the emulsion tomorrow and get this job done. There will be 300-400 impressions, so it needs to last a while.
Thanks for all the encouragement!
Mike Jackson
Danny BusselleWell Mike, you're probably not going to like this answer. Shelf life for mixed, refrigerated emulsion is around 6 months.
Some will say longer but I tried a batch that had been in for about 7 months and had the same experience you have. The emulsion breaks down on the screen during washout.
Danny
I could only get approx 5 to 6 months. Rick however was down by the sea shore and got 7 months. it would breaksup when washing out and I use a Soft shower Head like Rick. Time to Buy New.