Leica IIIf - cosmetics

[mgreernz]

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After lying dormant for 50 years, I'm afraid the Leica bug has truly got me again. Remarkably, just as I was wrestling with this terrible affliction, a mint, lovingly cared-for IIIf with a Summaron 3.5cm all in an original leather case with original manual breezed in and landed on my desk. "Now, isn't that a coincidence", I told my wife.

 

Well, after I recovered from the thumping...

 

The functionality of both body and lens is tops,100%. But each could benefit a little from an external clean. There's nothing serious to be lifted - just the usual run-of-the-mill grime and dust that over the years naturally gathers around surfaces, joints and other bits that go bump in the night.

 

What do you recommend as a safe cleaning agent? Tools of the trade would nothing more than a micro fibre cloth, some cotton earbuds, a soft artistbrush - and maybe if it got really desperate, a child's soft toothbrush. What it don't want to be do, is use any product that might damage almost 60 years of loving care.

 

Your advice would be appreciated.

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[Artorius]

I used lighter fluid(Ronson), Q-tips, and a micro fiber cloth on my IIIc. Not lot a lot of liquid, just moistened.

[Lucklik]

You can use 70% ether + 30% alcohol.

 

you can use this for the glas too.

 

rgs

 

Luc

[FiZZ]

Ethyl alcohol works great for cleaning grime.

 

A tip for future storage: I put whatever I don't use in a box with silica gel. Nothing fancy, just a cardboard box from IKEA and silica gel I collected from different sources. I found it keeps the cameras clean with minimal dust, and in theory, the silica prevents fungus from growing. I've had a lens in there for over a year and it's still crystal clear. Occasionally I take the lenses and place them in the sun and "mock use" them for ten minutes each. UV light is great for preventing fungus.