Cleaning cels?

I recently picked up a couple of full sequence sets from a series and some of the mouth layers and such are extremely dusty due to the previous owner not being the best care-taker. I was wondering if anyone knows how one might go about cleaning dust off of cels properly without damaging them. I'd like to do my best to preserve my cels, preferably without the dust, but am quite afraid of damaging them. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you. :)

I'd say any cloth and compound used for photographic negatives would be good for cels, as the plastic base is made of the same stuff. A can of air duster might also be helpful. BagsUnlimited stocks all of these but you might investigate a photo supply site for a wider variety of products and better prices.

In a pinch, a microfiber cloth moistened with distilled water would work. For anything else, try it on an unimportant cel first, as some alcohol-based film cleaners may lift trace lines or sequence numbers. Water definitely won't.

Apparently, animators use film cleaner and anti-stat clothes to clean cels. Cartoon Colour Company sell them.

http://cartooncolour.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=10&products_id=273

http://cartooncolour.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=10&products_id=347

I haven't tried cleaning any cels that important but I tested it out on a few junk cels and it seems okay. Probably safer for cels than using canned air or anything like that.

I have always used Tend anti-static plastic cleaner. It was recommended to me 15 years ago and I have used it ever since. Just be careful not to get any on the paint because it WILL wipe your cel clean.

- Matt

Yeah, definitely don't use any cleaner on the paint or lines and watch the self lines or any paint on the front of the cel.