
Having spent much time preserving and collecting old films, I fully understand how important it is to maintain these private treasures. It doesn’t matter if it’s a fun outing with the family or a classic movie from far back in cinematic history. It’s a valuable part of our heritage. Unfortunately, time isn’t always kind to film since they eventually deteriorate, especially if they’re not properly stored. Thankfully, there are several ways to keep your old movies in good condition for a lot longer than you’d think.
It’s taken a bit of trial and error when it comes to the preservation process, but thanks to the attention to detail, I’ve learned how to keep my own vintage movies from the 1950s well-preserved. After a great deal of research and some advice from experts in the field of restoration and preservation, I’ve learned how to keep old tapes in excellent shape. The guide below will give a bit of professional advice and reveal my own personal experience when it comes to caring for your old film collection.
1. Proper Storage: The Key to Longevity
Learning how to store old films is one of the most important things to do. I had to find this out the hard way when I noticed my own film collection beginning to degrade. Here are a few ideas to consider when picking the proper storage environment.
- Cool, Dry, and Dark: Cellulose nitrate and acetate are extremely sensitive to humidity and changing temperatures. Ideally, you want to find a spot that’s cool and dry, somewhere between 50°F and 70°F (10°C to 21°C). As long as the temperature is consistent and stable, it will help maintain your tapes’ condition.
- Avoid Direct Light: It should be easy to guess that UV light and even artificial light can affect your tapes, but it’s not always common knowledge. Keeping your films in opaque containers that are resistant to light helps in a big way. A good cupboard or closet without regular light exposure is usually the best spot.
- Use Acid-Free Containers: The container you use to store your films matters since some materials in various containers can create an unwanted chemical reaction that will damage the film. Regular plastic containers might sound like a great and simple idea, but to ensure that your films will last, be selective and find acid-free containers to preserve your film collection.
2. Handle with Care
Many film enthusiasts know that films are delicate. How they’re handled typically has a huge impact on their longevity. Over the years, I’ve developed a few simple tips that help lessen the damage to my collection.
- Use Cotton Gloves: Even when clean, your hands can easily carry oils and other materials that can transfer to the surface of your film. Creating a barrier between your skin and your films is essential. when trying to avoid leaving fingerprints of anything else.
- Reel the Film Properly: Another hard lesson was that winding a film too quickly can cause unnecessary stretching and even tearing. It might take a little time with longer films but take it slowly and gently to ensure the film stays intact.
- Avoid Folding or Creasing: Even if a film doesn’t tear, a bend or crease can cause much damage. Another good way to preserve your collection is to take the extra time and care to ensure that your films are stored to prevent them from being pressed by heavy objects.
3. Clean the Film
Time and misuse or mishandling are all critical considerations when preserving your films. Good habits to develop include cleaning your collection regularly and ensuring its safety.
- Dry Cleaning: I’ll take a lint-free cloth and wipe down the film’s surface. Gently using the cloth on the film’s surface can help remove dust without causing any unwanted damage.
- Film Cleaning Equipment: When you need to clean your equipment a little more thoroughly, it pays to invest in machines and cleaning fluids to keep your films pristine. Just be sure to look at the fluids you’ll be using before applying them.
- Avoid Water: My own experience has taught me that water is anathema to film. Water can cause a permanent stain on film and should be avoided at all costs.
4. Avoid Overexposure to Heat and Moisture
Two of the most important factors to consider when it comes to film are moisture and heat. After finding that a few of my films had become brittle and even warped after spending time in an attic, I came up with a few points to keep in mind for storage practices.
- Don’t Store in Hot or Humid Areas: It is essential to move your films from a hot, humid attic space. Too much heat causes the film to turn brittle and warp. High humidity can also cause mold to grow, which is highly detrimental to film. Cool, dry places are the best spots to store your films.
- Avoid Pressing or Storing Near Heat Sources: I also once kept my films too close to a space heater, which was unwise. Keep a safe distance between any heat sources and your film collection.
5. Regular Inspections
Like it or not, film will still degrade over time. Regularly inspecting your collection is a good way to catch this and eliminate problems early on. Checking your films periodically is a good way to spot any telltale signs of damage that might occur.
- Check for Mold or Mildew: Following the relocation of my collection, I still regularly inspect my films for wear and tear. Whenever an issue is spotted, it is handled carefully and quickly.
- Look for Signs of Vinegar Syndrome: Vinegar syndrome occurs when the acetate base of the film starts to break down, producing a very strong vinegary odor. At that point, it’s best to take the film to a professional for restoration.
6. Consider Digitizing Your Films
You can care for your films regularly and as well as you know how, but they’ll still continue to degrade. This is why digitizing your films is an excellent idea: It can preserve them for the future in a format that won’t break down as quickly. This way, you can keep your collection accessible and always in great shape.
- Professional Film Transfer: I employed the skills of a professional for some of my rare films. The results were simply amazing, as the superior-quality transfer helped preserve my films in a way I hadn’t expected.
- Home Digitization: To help maintain my collection on my own, I also purchased a film-to-digital conversion kit. The quality isn’t quite as high as a professional service, but it was acceptable for keeping my films in good condition.
7. Store Backups of Digital Files
Following the digitization of my films, I discovered how crucial it was to back up the files in multiple locations. I have copies of the digital files in cloud storage and on external hard drives, and I even employed DVDs to ensure they’re safe and easy to access.
8. Restoration Services for Damaged Film
Older films in my collection had a great deal of wear. My decision to invest in the service of a professional to restore my films was wise. The advanced services offered helped repair the damage that had occurred, making them look almost new. Restoration is a little costly, but it’s worth it to preserve your irreplaceable films.
Conclusion
Preserving old films requires a great deal of patience, care, and, of course, attention to detail. My experience has been that storing films in a cool, dry place with minimal to no light, handling them carefully, cleaning them with precision and care, and converting them to digital files when needed will ensure that your film collection lasts many years. Taking the time to maintain the safety and security of your collection is a good way to keep them secure for future generations to enjoy.