Two related questions:

1) What is the need for hardening a print after sepia toning, as Kodak suggests? Since this will interfere with later spotting, I would rather do it only when necessary. If it is only to preserve the toner during washing, can I assume that it is only recommended with fiber and not resin coated prints (with their short wash times)? If it help protect against, e.g., display fading, then I'll harden regardless.

2) Any need for specifically the recommended hardener? Since I use Kodak Rapid Fix without the hardener, I have lots of solution B available, but I'm uncertain if this is as appropriate for this post toning purpose.

Thanks in advance to you gurus who reply!!! Eric Pederson

-- Eric Pederson (epederso@darkwing.uoregon.edu), April 10, 2001

Answers

Eric, As you've noticed, Kodak only suggests this step. Your pictures will survive a long way without hardening and, for sure, you'll save a lot of trouble on spotting.

Cesar B.

-- Cesar Barreto (cesarb@infolink.com.br), April 10, 2001.