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It seems I am getting a lot of pink dust from the film in the last few months. I realize this is due to the cyan, but is this abnormal. Is everyone experiencing this? My other thought is that this must have some effect on sound quality over time. Has anyone noticed anyting with the sound? I'm half deaf so it sounds fine to me no matter what.

Cyan isn't pink so it's not because of the cyan switch.
I'd start first by treating your prints with FilmGuard. Also check that everything's clean and moving as it should and make sure your preassure bands in the trap aren't set too tight.

I've checked or obvious wear and everything seems fine. I've never used film guard but will give it a try. If it makes any difference this is happening on all three of my projectors. They are all Simplex XLs. Could it be my mylar breaking down? It is taking on the pinkish hue. I just figured it was picking up the dust. Maybe it is giving it off.

I agree. You may have a rough spot in the projector gate that could be severely abrading the film surface -- the top imaging layer is the magenta, so magenta is abraded first. Look for hardened deposits on the gate rails/bands, and clean them off between shows using your fingernail or a stiff toothbrush. (Never try to scrape them off with a metal tool -- you may nick the gate or leave a metal burr that will scratch/damage all film). Back off on the gate tension to the minimum possible that still holds a steady image.

If the magenta deposits are short hairs or clumps of fibers, your equipment is severely scuffing the edge of the film. Check the alignment and clearance of your pad rollers and intermittent sprocket shoe, and any misalignment of guide rollers.

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John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Customer Technical Services
Entertainment Imaging
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Eastman Kodak Company
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