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Posted by Doug Clifford on April 05, 2002 at 08:38:47:
In Reply to: color slides -how to keep them clean posted by John Rogers on April 01, 2002 at 19:37:08:
: I present a color slide program about 25-35 times per year. Recently I notice that some of the slides, even new slides have lint on them when I project them with my carousel projector. I recently purchased a brand new slide tray (plastic.) I am very careful about placing the slides back into a covered box when I am done. The carousel projector is kept in a sealed box when not in use. Does anyone have any ideas about what I can do? Should I get my projector cleaned by a professional? Please advise.
Virtually all slide projectors have a built-in fan which prolongs the life of the projection bulb and generates a high volume airflow to keep slides from melting when that hot beam of light passes through the transparency. The fan draws cool air from the room and expels it through louvered vents. No matter how clean you keep your slides, the fan will draw air and dust into the projector every time you turn it on.
There's not enough clearance under a projector to add a layer of filtration material - the fibreglass in furnace filters would be ideal but there's not enough room.
What works is an anti-static brush such as the StaticMaster brush. Any well stocked camera store should carry them. They come in both 1" and 3" widths. The Staticmaster brush has a small strip of radioactive particles embedded on a metal band. Drawing the brush across each slide will discharge the static and repel dust.
Find stores selling StaticMaster products by going to Google and searching for "StaticMaster Brushes", also search for "Static Master Brushes" because some businesses list the brand as two words. You'll find dozens of companies offering the brushes for sale. The radioactive strip must be replaced every few years. A wonderful tool for the darkroom too.
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