Rhonda,
In response to your inquiry about removing rust in your microfilm
drawers, several questions should be asked first. The first relates to
the cause of the rust. Did the cabinets come from a humid environment or
is the microfilm actually Kalvar film? During the period this vesicular
film was on the market, 1967 to 1970, it ate its way through microfilm
(cardboard) boxes, metal storage cabinets, and other silver based
microfilm. It did this by off-gassing hydrochloric acid (HCl), which
ironically did not affect the Kalvar film itself.
Kalvar film can be recognized by its distinctive tints, such as green or
beige, instead of the usual grey or blue color. If you have Kalvar film
it will either have to be replaced or stored in a place where it cannot
harm other films or the metal storage cabinets.
If you determine that the film is not Kalvar, then you could try to
remove the rust with steel wool. You would have to obtain the MSDS to
determine what chemicals are in the cleaner you are considering and if
the off-gassing will have an impact not only on the microfilm, but on
other materials in the room where the cabinets are kept. If you want to
send me a message to me off-list, explaining what chemical you are
researching, I would be happy to assist you in your research.
Regards,
Lance Watsky
Program Coordinator
UCLA Moving Image Archive Studies
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310.206.4966
FAX 310.825.3383
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