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Adrian_bastin
Tinkerer
Username: Adrian_bastin
Post Number: 1
Registered: 01-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 12, 2007 - 04:06 am: | 
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Cleaning a grubby 1933 chrome Leica II with isopropyl alcohol and q-tips (cotton buds) I noticed some fine scratches showing up - then realized I was making them. There must be some very abrasive particles around the shutter release. This revolves and works very smoothly - so I don't want to get grit down into it.
Two questions:
How to remove grit from crevices - some moving - without dis-assembly. (have considdered sticky artists' putty-rubber)
Can surface scratches be made less visible in semi-bright chrome-on-brass body. If chrome can be soft - this is. It's one of the first chrome Leicas. Camera's in nice shape mechanically and cosmetically. |
Adrian_bastin
Tinkerer
Username: Adrian_bastin
Post Number: 2
Registered: 01-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 12, 2007 - 07:47 am: |
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I did restore a very smashed Leica IIIA to perfect working order (P-Net Leica & Rangefinder Forum) so I'm not just some idiot who buys a leica and screws it up, - well, apart from being a complete idiot who buys a Leica and screws it up, that is. |
Glenn
Tinkerer
Username: Glenn
Post Number: 118
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 12, 2007 - 02:11 pm: |
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I always clean out crevices with pieces of thin card or even paper, if separation line is very narrow, wooden cocktail or kebab sticks are also useful.
The problem of the scratches in the chrome are more problematic. The simple answer is that nothing can be done to remove them. However I have used the 3M nylon abrasive/polishing pads to rework some semi-bright/matt chrome barrels and body plates. Basically these pads work like a 'scratch-brush' and produce a brushed matt finish. the results depend on the depth and condition of the plating and how deep the scratches are.
Personally I would leave well alone, as you may end up making it look even worse. |
Pablomartinez
Tinkerer
Username: Pablomartinez
Post Number: 10
Registered: 09-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 12, 2007 - 02:49 pm: |
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When I have to clean crevices, I use bluetack. its a putty that it's used to blue posters to the wall.
To clean slits, I take a post-it and insert the sticky part on the slit. Fold it in two and you clean both parts of the slit at the same time.
For the chrome scratchs, the only good solution is rechroming $$$$$ |
Adrian_bastin
Tinkerer
Username: Adrian_bastin
Post Number: 3
Registered: 01-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 12, 2007 - 04:34 pm: |
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Thanks for those ideas, Glenn and Pablo. The scratces are not that bad or that many but just a bit sickenning to think I did them. 'Live and learn' - which is why I came here. A scratch, no matter how shallow, must has a sharp top edge - and if it could be softened without disturbing the surrounding surface it would improve it. I guess it will mellow with time, also. Will try time, first.  |
Adrian_bastin
Tinkerer
Username: Adrian_bastin
Post Number: 4
Registered: 01-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 12, 2007 - 04:44 pm: |
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Caption disappeared. It said there are a couple more that show at other angles. Those on the dial are not my responsibility. |
