emulsion tacky

[Becky]

Hello there,
I recently bought some screen printing equipment which came with Sunchemical chemicals, all second hand so I'm unsure of how old it all is. When applying my Suncoat EM2535 Dual cure Emulsion pretty evenly on both sides, I put it to a dark corner to dry, a week later it's still tacky to touch. This project of mine is taking place in my garage, could it be because it's a little cold and damp, though it doesn't feel very damp in there? Or would this happen if the emulsion is too old?
Despite it not drying properly I've still attempted to expose the screens... when washing them out though unsurprisingly some of the supposedly dry emulsion washes away, this I kind of expect, however annoyingly dots of emulsion in the image remain. Does this mean I still haven't gotten the exposure time right, or can i put this down to the dodgy emulsion not being dry, or lack of degreaser??
Also, I currently haven't any degreaser, are there any alternatives that I can use, I read somewhere you can use... Mr.Clean... but I've never heard of this, is it like a kitchen cleaner, oven de-greaser sort of thing.... or maybe vinegar and water, that de greases things... or is it best to order from suppliers sit around and wait for the delivery man?
Any help/ ideas would be very much appreciated, thanks for your time,
Kind Regards,
Becky

[LASER2]

Since you have gotten the emulsion second hand, assume it is bad. I suggest using Ulano QTX coating a screen 1/1 with a scoop coater. That ensures even coverage. It is reliable and pre-mixed, hard to mess up starting out. Experiment with other emulsions later on once you have mastered 1 brand. Simple green watered down to a mild mixture works well as a degreaser. As for drying in the garage, humidity and light are your 2 biggest enemies. Try to find a closet or somewhere dark and temperature controlled if possible. I am guessing that the age of the emulsion and humidity are to blame. I had a similar problem when I started out. Don't be afraid to ask the supplier for help if you have questions. Good luck!

[ROADSIDE]

spend more money... buy more quipment.... get better results.... make more money....REPEAT!