| Author |
Message |
    
Shead
Tinkerer
Username: Shead
Post Number: 1
Registered: 03-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 01, 2008 - 11:25 am: | 
|
Hi folks. New here and though I'd post instead of just lurk.
I've got a nicely functioning Univex Mercury, the body seems to be cast aluminum and it has some blemishes and scratches. I've worked in metals before and cleaned bronze and silvers, but haven't had much work in aluminum. Any suggestions to polish this aluminum? I don't know if a typical metal polisher like Flitz would be too harsh, Jeweler's rouge on a felt wheel would be OK but I don't want to have to tear the whole camera apart if I don't have to.
Suggestions? |
Glenn
Tinkerer
Username: Glenn
Post Number: 310
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 01, 2008 - 02:28 pm: |
|
I use any good paste automotive metal polish, on polished untreated aluminium. Be very wary of polishing anodised or lacquered (treated) alloy parts - you can end up with the parts looking worse than they were, ie very patchy. I have 'polished' lacquered alloy with ordinary tooth paste. This will remove the yellowing associated with some early lacquers. In fact tooth paste makes a very good fine polish, for a number materials used in camera manufacture.
I do not know how your particular camera is finished. You can use a bit of tooth paste on a clean cloth and apply it to a non prominent surface - if after a light rub the cloth is black, the alloy is not anodised/lacquered. |
Dgillette4
Tinkerer
Username: Dgillette4
Post Number: 193
Registered: 04-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 02, 2008 - 05:27 pm: |
|
I think it is white metal. If it is the one with the rotary shutter and the dome on top. yYou might try buffing with rouge. Don |
Griff
Tinkerer
Username: Griff
Post Number: 1
Registered: 04-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 09, 2008 - 12:46 pm: |
|
I am in the process of restoring a Univex Mercury II
that is quite tarnished. I ordered some felt bobs from McMaster Carr Supply that are impregnated with a polishing compound and they are working great.
The Mercury camera was never coat with lacquer(hence
the large amount of them that show corrosion).
The stock #'s are 4564A11 $3.77ea, 4564a12 $5.20ea
and 4564a13 $5.13 ea These will fit in a deremel tool that takes 1/8 shank bits |
Msiegel
Tinkerer
Username: Msiegel
Post Number: 20
Registered: 03-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 25, 2008 - 02:37 am: |
|
I have used something called "Nev'r Dull" on all kind of metal surfaces. It should be available in motorbike stores. It's non abrasive and did a very good job on the chrome parts of my bike as well as on my solid brass Zippo lighter. |
Don_m
Tinkerer
Username: Don_m
Post Number: 2
Registered: 05-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 04, 2008 - 06:58 pm: |
|
I've always been a jelly man for aluminum---
http://www.loctiteproducts.com/repairs.asp?qfid=5&Product=170
I think this product is similar to nev'r dull.
http://www.loctiteproducts.com/products/detail.asp?catid=13&subid=47&plid=169 |
Jayd
Tinkerer
Username: Jayd
Post Number: 14
Registered: 06-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 16, 2008 - 09:57 am: |
|
I have just started using BRASSO and it seems to work well, I have used never dull in the past and it is a good product and comes with it's own wadding as I recall for tough to get at places I use soft wood or paper sticks like match sticks or cotton swabs and their sticks. These are all hand work. If you have a rotary tool like the dremmel with speed control you can get buffer wheels for it. A speed control can be made from a heavy duty light dimmer I like the lutron brand.
Good luck |
Faxonpr
Tinkerer
Username: Faxonpr
Post Number: 2
Registered: 08-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 22, 2008 - 01:46 pm: |
|
I have used the following on Univex Mercury and Kodak Signet cameras and the clean and shine lasts much longer than other products I have tried (years in some cases).
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
There is no magic to the combination. You can make a paste of the tartar with the viegar, if you wish. |
