Scratches on film V30

[Dustingeb]

Hello everyone, I have been using our v30 for over a year. I would sometimes get a scratch line across the whole roll of film. This seems to have gotten worse over time. Any suggestions? I have cleaned each rack, everything moves, checked dryer. I might get the rollers replaced in the heater but I wanted to see any suggestions. When we scan the line doesn’t show up with our scanner, but I really want to get this line issue resolved. I do need to test each section to see where the scratch occurs. But any other suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you! 

[yustas]

The most common cause of this problem is dried chemical crystals on the crossover rollers.

To avoid this, place them in water overnight after each working day, and every morning, you will have clean crossovers and no scratches on the film.

 

 

 

Edited December 14, 2025 by yustas
mistype

[Dave S]

Is it on the emulsion or non emulsion side of the film?
Is it happening on both left and right tracks?
Are the scratches completely in a straight line from the beginning to the end of the film?

[Dustingeb]

It has been happening more on one side. It can be across the whole roll. Usually is. It’s not on the emulsion side. It’s on the top shiny side of the film. 

[yustas]

If you look at the crossovers, you will see that the rollers press the film on the side without the emulsion. So my version is more than likely.

[Dave S]

3 hours ago, yustas said:

If you look at the crossovers, you will see that the rollers press the film on the side without the emulsion. So my version is more than likely.

Actually it's the emulsion side that touches the crossover rollers, not the non emulsion side.

[Dave S]

22 hours ago, Dustingeb said:

It has been happening more on one side. It can be across the whole roll. Usually is. It’s not on the emulsion side. It’s on the top shiny side of the film. 

Are the scratches always in the same place?
Is it just one line?

When you say across the whole roll I'm presuming you mean going along the length of the entire roll i.e the scratch starts from the beginning of the film and runs to the end of the film?

If this is the case measure how far the scratch is from the edge of the film at the beginning of the film, now do the same measurement from the end of the film. Do the measurements match or not?

If it's scratching on both tracks, it's less likely to be happening in the film processor. Single use cameras very often cause scratching on films.

Most scratching on the film processors is intermittent, and tends not to be on the whole length of the film. The usual cause is crystals forming on the black exit rollers of the BL or Fix racks. If there is something stuck somewhere, it will usually only be on one track not both.

[yustas]

1 hour ago, Dave S said:

Actually it's the emulsion side that touches the crossover rollers, not the non emulsion side.

Perhaps there is something I am unaware of, but could you explain why you think so?

If you look at the diagram, you will see that the film comes out of the cassette with the emulsion side down and touches the crossover rollers with the non-emulsion side.
Your explanation will be highly appreciated.

https://www.screenpresso.com/=W7HmALxcopQa

[Dave S]

25 minutes ago, yustas said:

Perhaps there is something I am unaware of, but could you explain why you think so?

If you look at the diagram, you will see that the film comes out of the cassette with the emulsion side down and touches the crossover rollers with the non-emulsion side.
Your explanation will be highly appreciated.

https://www.screenpresso.com/=W7HmALxcopQa

Your linked diagram is different to how it works on a Noritsu.

On a Noritsu the film goes around the crossover rollers, it does not brush up against them as shown in your diagram.

[Christ Shanti]

Did you ever figure out the cause?

[Balázsovics]

On 12/14/2025 at 4:56 PM, Dustingeb said:

Hello everyone, I have been using our v30 for over a year. I would sometimes get a scratch line across the whole roll of film. This seems to have gotten worse over time. Any suggestions? I have cleaned each rack, everything moves, checked dryer. I might get the rollers replaced in the heater but I wanted to see any suggestions. When we scan the line doesn’t show up with our scanner, but I really want to get this line issue resolved. I do need to test each section to see where the scratch occurs. But any other suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you!