B/W old JPEG scratch & blemish removal

[Chris Wheeler]

I have a lot of JPG images hauled off old B/Ws years ago but filled with scratches and dust marks. I'm a complete newby with Affinity Photo. I have the Manual, but it's for Profs not someone who just wants a clear text, step by step explanation on one page. I've read the few previous support posts and fooled for hours with Tools but I haven't had any success with - for example - removing an irritating white hairline across a black background. I would have thought it was easy but nothing I've done with any of the tools worked and the recommended procedures I've noted so far on Support suggest a degree in brain surgery. Is there a direct method in Photo that can be answered in - say - 200 words or less? 

[R C-R]

1 hour ago, Chris Wheeler said:

Is there a direct method in Photo that can be answered in - say - 200 words or less? 

No, not realistically. There are many different techniques for repairing old photos, Some work well on some of them but not on others. It depends on how damaged they are, the kind of damage there is, how much in the photo is important to preserve, etc.

That's why there are so many different tools, filters, & adjustments provided in apps like AP.

[markw]

As R C-R says there are just too many variables when restoring old photos to say; "do this, do that and finally the other…"
Whilst many techniques could be suitably applied to many different photos, each photo still needs to be assed on it’s own merits first to narrow down those options. And even then as they say; “there is always more than one way to skin a cat”!
If you can provide a sample image, then I’m sure that would lead to more focused suggestions for you to try.

[firstdefence]

I say watch a shed load of restoration video's on youtube and the like, and cherry pick the techniques you need and make your own crib sheets in a way you understand.

There are so many techniques and most video are Adobe Photoshop centric but can be adapted to Affinity Photo sometimes with a bit of creative thinking and workarounds, but the basics will be the same in most Photo editing software.