cleaning old photographic slides

[ndofu]

We have some old family slides of the 40s and 50s and want to clean them up to them put them on the computer. A cotton bud and gin is working to a degree but would be glad of any other suggestions/help. Many thanks.

[Whickerman]

You'd be as well loading them as they are, then using Photshop or similar to clean up the saved image.

[Whickerman]

...photoshop

[rojash]

Personally, I would just drink the gin...

[ndofu]

Thanks to you both. Will try ALL suggestions!

[vehelpfulguy]

I searched in Google for Cleaning Old Photographic Slides and found a few sites, like these (there are plenty more if you search):

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid =20061222133855AAwWa6r

http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_ id=007Eup

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/archive/ind ex.php/t-63967.html

[Thunderchild]

no ignore the idiot (sorry but you are) that suggested cleaning dust/grease/dirt off with photoshop you can't do that the photoshop misconception is one that really anoyes me you can't work miracles with photoshop its best to start with as best an image as possible (trust me I do photography and have done film/slide scanning). try using pure alcohol if you can get hold of any (I get mine in italy hehe) just don't use that pink stuff as it will leave smears, pure alcohol will remore all dirt and grease and any residue will evaporate without trace
anf yes do drink the gin

[ndofu]

Thanks veryhelpfulguy and thunderchild. Some of those websites have good suggestions but living in the depth of rural Portugal specialised products are quite tricky to find . However I should be able to get pure alcohol at the chemist so will give that a go - though the gin is working pretty well!