Note: this was written November 20, 2021. I’m publishing it now in the year of our lord 2026 because I thought it was a lost formula until checking the unpublished drafts on here.
This formula is provided without warranty. GVK6 is an improvement upon GVK1 which makes it into a single part solution and increases its concentration. I had a formula called GVK3 which I thought was excellent, however, the formula is unfortunately lost. Or rather, I didn’t describe the formula well enough in my notes and I’ve been unable to create a solution with all of the components I indicated in my notes due to solubility limits. I have no idea what I’m missing.
GVK6 has only seen limited testing and is being provided only to get it off my plate. I believe GVM1 or EXG1/GVG1 is superior in terms of results to GVK6 at this point, however, in densitometric tests, GVK6 has proven to be better at increasing speed than GVM1, but provides some highlight compensation unlike EXG1. GVK6 also yields a smoother and more delicate grain structure compared to GVM1, especially in cases of pushing film.
Formula
200ml hot water
1 drop of 45% potassium sulfite
0.9g metol
60ml potassium sulfite 45%, added slowly with stirring
13.5g potassium carbonate
4.5g glycin
120ml triethanolamine 99% (TEA), added slowly with stirring
2 drops of 1% benzotriazole
Top to 400ml with water
Procedure:
1 drop sulfite
metol
turn on heating
dissolve very well, heat - get steaming
add sulfite slowly in stages
Keep steaming until after TEA addition