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Likaleica1
Tinkerer
Username: Likaleica1
Post Number: 5
Registered: 08-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, October 14, 2007 - 09:40 am: | 
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I have a 1939 Fed - Leica copy - with its black Vulcanite covering faded to brownish grey. Has anyone successfully brought Vulcanite back to black ? What would I clean the covering with before refinishing?
See my special interest website: www.likaleica.com |
Rj_
Tinkerer
Username: Rj_
Post Number: 55
Registered: 08-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 15, 2007 - 03:48 pm: |
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Hi there,
I've never seen a Vulcanite camera that needed replacing ;)
www.cameraleather.com offer a Vulcanite covering which would match your FED.
Or are you considering restoring the colour of your vulcanite only?
I'm not sure how any colour would stay on the vulcanite, unless it was dyed - even still, would the colour still hold?
If you remove the vulcanite, then any standard acrylocyanate remover should suffice to par down the former glued vulcanite.
Kind regards,
RJ |
Likaleica1
Tinkerer
Username: Likaleica1
Post Number: 6
Registered: 08-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - 04:13 am: |
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Thanks RJ. I am rather hoping to retain the original covering because it is not worn or damaged - just faded. I assume vulcanite is a rubber derivative - so I wonder if a there is any solvent which would remove the outer faded colouring, or failing that, a paint intended for rubber that would do the job. Does anyone else have any ideas ? |
Dgillette4
Tinkerer
Username: Dgillette4
Post Number: 99
Registered: 04-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - 07:56 am: |
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As written most vulcanite doese't fade just dry and chip. The fed might not be regular vulcanite. I would first clean it then try to determine how deep the fading is. You might try a test with acetone on a q-tip on the edge in a somewhat hidden location if there are any. If it works go further then reclean to remove any leftover discoloration. Good luck..Don |
Glenn
Tinkerer
Username: Glenn
Post Number: 196
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - 07:18 pm: |
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You could do what our East European friends do, just spray with a satin finish black acrylic paint. Do not use acetone or any other solvents on early Russian vulcanite, especially one that is not worn or chipped.
I have a number of early FED cameras that exhibit 'grey' or 'green' colourations. On these the vulcanite has certainly not faded, colour is the complete depth. I suspect that the colour is due to errors in the early manufacturing process. I certainly have not messed about with a feature that is part of the 'history' of the particular camera. You should be glad that you have a covering that is complete and sound - no matter what the colour is. |
Rj_
Tinkerer
Username: Rj_
Post Number: 60
Registered: 08-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 20, 2007 - 02:48 pm: |
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Hi again,
Thinking about the sulphur content of the vulcanised rubber, I think Glenn's suggestion to keep the acetone away from the vulcanised rubber is emminently sensible.
It seems that vulcanite is inherently unstable, and is probably not the kind of material which ages beautifully. You might find this thread useful:
http://www.nemeng.com/leica/032b.shtml
It contains thoughts and suggestions to dealing with the ageing vulcanite problem. Unsurprisingly, it comes up with few solutions, other than replacement (already suggested).
Acrylic paint on the rubber is almost as frightful as what has happened to a Graflex Century which I am starting to rework (the leather has shrunk). Rubber naturally cannot hold paint very well. You may have to prepare the surface by priming, before painting. Afterwards, the regret that it was probably better left in in its original condition may seep in ;) |
