Photo paper shelf life

[droopsnoot]

I've got some boxes of old Ilford black and white photo paper which I've for probably around 20 years. Some have been started, some have not, all have been stored in a normal house, so basically dry and quite warm. Can anyone estimate whether this paper will still be any use? I don't have anything setup at the moment that I can use to try it out.

On the one hand I don't want to throw it out if it's usable as I might do some more film photography in the future, on the other hand if it's going to be no good after all this time I might as well chuck it out.

[Fen]

Idea... If it is 'on the way out' (I wouldn't know) but it might be worth doing some experimenting.

Expose some to sunlight with different object on making silhouettes and stuff like that.

[zx9]

After twenty years B&W paper will have most likely started to fog and the base could have taken on a cream-ish hue. I would think it will be of no use for serious darkroom work, but could be ok for messing around with 'photogrammes' etc.

BTW cool car, you never did see many Firenzas, always wanted one as a kid in the 70's, but my Dad bought a 1.3 Viva HC

[John_K]

Likewise. I have been given masses of old Ilford Multigrade 2 and there is an element of fog around some of the sheets I have printed (They are still in sealed packets.) It does print reasonably well for proofing but I have to crank up the colour head filtration to set it to Grade 4 to get grade 2 if you know what I mean.

You used to be able to by an anti fogging chemical and for the life of me can't remember what it was but that did hold back the fogging quite well.

Any paper that is in unsealed packets may get severe staining at the edges which is permenant

[taxor]

You used to be able to by an anti fogging chemical and for the life of me can't remember what it was but that did hold back the fogging quite well.

A percentage solution of benzotriazole is suitable for this purpose.

[John_K]

Further to my B&W assessment above:-

I have both Kodak and Fuji RA4 and they were bought around the same time, about 18 months ago. Storage has been identical, i.e. under the bench in the darkroom. Some boxes opened, but always kept in the poly bag they came with. The Kodak is perfect and comes up with the goods every time with very little filtration change.

Whereas.

The FUJI is a right mess. Lack of depth of colour, a permanent cyan colour cast whatever filtration I give, and brown smears on the edges. Only fit for the dustbin.

[droopsnoot]

Thanks for the replies, I think it's headed for the bin.