I have a ~1900 etching that is very much darkened and water stained. I tested a small corner with bleach and it worked wonders, brightened right up. The print is approx 22 X 28". The corner was tested at 100% concentrate, but I plan to use maybe 3-5% bleech to water in the bathtub and let it soak for maybe 30 mins, then rinse off and place between two pieces of glass to dry.

I'm preparred to lose the print in the process if it happens, but would like to do everything to try and make it work.

Will I cause the ink to bleed? Will this wreck it?

Will this work fella's?

Advice Please!

Thanks guys

I wouldn't use ordinary domestic bleach, it'll destroy the paper.  You could try hydrogen peroxde. In this country it's sold at a 9 percent solution, and can be further diluted to about 5 percent.  After you've finished rinse it if you can with distilled water two or three times.

You're going to have to try different methods to see which works best.  I'd try using it straight from the bottle first, as it should be a fairly weak solution.  As I said in this country it's 9%, which isn't very strong.  

Apply it a small area of the paper with a brush, and leave it for about 10 or 15 minutes, but it may take a lot longer than that.  If you can see a noticeable difference then you should be able to use a brush over the whole of the paper.  Work on small areas at a time, and afterwards use another clean brush to wash the paper with water, you need to disperse as much of the peroxide as you can.

Rinse the whole print afterwards, at least twice, using distilled water, if you haven't got any, then use ordinary tap water.  Leave it submerged in water for 5 to 10 minutes.

If brushing doesn't work, you'll need to soak it, so it's best to dilute the peroxide with water, about 2 parts water to one of peroxide.  If you've got one, use a photographic dish.  Keep your eye on the etching, and as soon as you see a difference remove it and rinse well.  Oh, and remember to wear rubber gloves, hydrogen peroxide will bleach your skin and bring it out in blisters.  Hope that helps, and works for you.

I'm in the UK. 

If you've managed to get hydrogen peroxide of that strength, then you'll be able to try using it at different dilutions.  So start with a weak solution, and work your way up if the weakest isn't doing anything.  You'll need to be very careful with a  stronger solution.  Rinse it off really well as you go along.  You could feasibly go up to a 10 or 12 percent solution, or even 15% at a stretch.  Just remember to test a small area first.

I would think a couple of sheets of plate glass will do the job, I'd put tissue paper on top and underneath the etching, and change it a few times as it soaks up the moisture.