P3D Re: Tintype

[Jan Burandt <3dwoman@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Michael Georgoff <georgoff@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>I believe I may have a two tintype photos that make up a stereo pair, but I
>need some advice on improving contrast on them, or advice on surface
>cleaning, if this is at all a possibility.

>they are typical tourist-class tintype photos.
>they are dark, the contrast is almost gone

>I have no clue as to whether or not this is a dirty surface condition that
>can be cleaned, and if so, with what.

>I'm hoping there is something that can be done to clean them up enough for
>>me to get a high-resolution digital scan done.

>I'd rather put them back in their folders for another 30 years than
>risk any damage to them.

I've seen many tourist trap tintypes with this same problem and suspect
that original poor processing of the images (leaving residual processing
chemicals on the tintype) is what may have caused the image deterioration.

Other than dusting the surfaces (if needed) with a soft natural bristle
brush, you shouldn't try to do anything to clean them.  Any liquid solution
is dangerous, as tintypes have an iron base and introduction of water can
cause rusting. The surface varnishes are too intermingled with the image
layer to allow safe solvent cleaning (if this were even an issue). At any
rate, I could only recommend AGAINST doing anything other than safely
re-housing your images.

Once you get the best photographic reproduction possible of your tintypes,
you can scan those and possibly read more in your image through photoshop
manipulation (it would be worth getting the advise of someone who is fluent
in photoshop).

best of luck,
Jan Burandt
3dwoman@xxxxxxxxxxx


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