How to clean 8mm films
To prevent your 8mm films from getting dirty or drying out, you should make sure that you store them correctly. But it also helps if you clean them regularly. It is recommended to clean your 8mm films annualy and not just after screening them. This will prevent your cine films from drying out, which would cause the material to shrink. Furthermore dust and dirt can be removed before they really take hold.
If it’s the first time you’re cleaning your 8mm films, you shouldn’t start with your most important shots – just in case something goes wrong.
What you need to clean your 8mm films:
- special film cleaner that does not attack your sensitive tapes and repels dust
- a soft, lint-free cotton or microfibre cloth to avoid streaks when you clean your 8mm films
- two film rewinders or a film viewer and empty takeup reel for rewinding
Once you have gathered all the equipment, you can start cleaning your 8mm films:
- Lightly dampen the cotton or microfibre cloth with the film cleaner and hold it between your thumb and index finger.
- Run the tape through the cotton cloth, while you apply light pressure to clean your cine film. Keep changing the passage point so that rubbed-off dirt is not transferred to other places. Do not run the film too fast while doing this so that it is not too damp when you rewind it.
- Rewind the film through a dry cloth. If the material is not completely dry, it can stick.
If you clean your 8mm films regularly, you will improve their durability. Unfortunately, there are many other external influences that can damage your 8mm films.
Save memories with MEDIAFIX
If you want to save your recordings, before old age destroys them, you should get them digitised. MEDIAFIX digitises your 8mm cine films from £9.99 per reel. This way you can enjoy your recordings without the hassle of setting up a projector and screen, and easily share them with friends and family.
What are you waiting for? Save your memories and have your 8mm films digitised – at MEDIAFIX with best-price-guarantee!
Do you have any questions? Our friendly customer service will be happy to advise you in a personal conversation.
Simply call 020 3904438-0
Our phone hours are:
Mon-Fri 10.00 a.m. - 3.00 p.m.