yigitaltay Posted February 22, 2016 Share #1 Posted February 22, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) When I purchased my Leica M6 classic there were scratches on the side as the strap's plastic thingy hits there all the time. As you can see you can see the zinc layer (silvery shiny). But now I am a bit worried about if it triggers an galvanic reaction on the top plate and it will turn into zinc oxide powder. Is there any suggestions to keep it in a good shape? I was thinking to cover it with a small piece of electrical tape. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/257200-precautions-for-m6-zinc-top-plate/?do=findComment&comment=2994265'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 22, 2016 Posted February 22, 2016 Hi yigitaltay, Take a look here Precautions for M6 Zinc top-plate. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jaapv Posted February 22, 2016 Share #2 Posted February 22, 2016 Tom Abrahamsson: QuoteQuoteQuote The Zinc is not bad; it absorbs and dissipates impact fairly well. If you hit it really hard it can crack, but a brass housing hit with the same force, would have collapsed and crushed the finder assembly and metering circuitry. The biggest risk with using zinc is if you manage to scratch through the coating (chrome/black chrome. nickel and acid copper sealer) into the zinc itself. If you expose the "wound" to very salty air (sea spray, East Coast salted road slush) you can create a galvanic effect and the zinc will turn into a white powder and the plating will lift off. This being said, I have never had that happen to any of my M6's or late M4-P's, and they have not been babied over the years either and I do live less than 150ft/50meters from the Pacific Ocean Other than that, the Zinc corrosion we see on M6 tops is in the shape of little bubbles under the chrome, caused by impurities in the Zinc, so it will not be influenced by external factors. Personally I would use a bit of metal varnish and wipe it off, so that it would remain in the scratches. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
yigitaltay Posted February 22, 2016 Author Share #3 Posted February 22, 2016 Tom Abrahamsson: Other than that, the Zinc corrosion we see on M6 tops is in the shape of little bubbles under the chrome, caused by impurities in the Zinc, so it will not be influenced by external factors. Other than these scratches it is perfectly fine. I will try metal varnish for sure, thanks! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckrider Posted February 22, 2016 Share #4 Posted February 22, 2016 YES! Those little scratches will never cause corrsion! Take them as sihns of correct use. Thomas p.s.: never ever saw corrosion on the sides, where the strap's plastic moved against camera's edges! Only on top plate in very rare cases. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted February 22, 2016 Share #5 Posted February 22, 2016 Indeed, don't worry. Chances are you will never see any corrosion, and in the unlikely case that you do the top plate can be replaced.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
yigitaltay Posted February 22, 2016 Author Share #6 Posted February 22, 2016 Thanks guys! I am so relieved. I am collecting coins for years and the worst ones (in terms of preserving the UNC condition) are the German zinc coins from WWII era. Somehow they continue oxidise in archival quality, airtight holders. The idea of seeing something like this on my camera was devastating. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matlock Posted February 22, 2016 Share #7 Posted February 22, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) As has been pointed out, the scratches are only down to the nickel plating under the black anodising (there is no such thing as black chrome) so no problem. You will have to go some to get down to the zinc alloy top plate. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted February 22, 2016 Share #8 Posted February 22, 2016 If you care to try it, there is a transparent wrap for the Leica available on the 'Bay. Search there for 182020169048. I tried it, but am such a klutz I got only half of it on. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
yigitaltay Posted February 22, 2016 Author Share #9 Posted February 22, 2016 If you care to try it, there is a transparent wrap for the Leica available on the 'Bay. Search there for 182020169048. I tried it, but am such a klutz I got only half of it on. I don't trust myself on these kind of things :D Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted February 22, 2016 Share #10 Posted February 22, 2016 I don't trust myself on these kind of things :D No harm. It does not use adhesive, just the natural fit of a good wrap. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted February 22, 2016 Share #11 Posted February 22, 2016 As has been pointed out, the scratches are only down to the nickel plating under the black anodising (there is no such thing as black chrome) so no problem. You will have to go some to get down to the zinc alloy top plate. Are you sure about that? http://www.arlingtonplating.com/capabilities/black-chrome-plating/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matlock Posted February 22, 2016 Share #12 Posted February 22, 2016 Are you sure about that? http://www.arlingtonplating.com/capabilities/black-chrome-plating/ In the context of Leica cameras I believe that I am correct. As I understand it Leica uses a black Eloxal process i.e. Black Anodising. Well that's what the factory at Solms quoted anyway. I believe that "Black Chrome" is more to do with the automotive industry. I stand to be corrected by anyone out there who knows a lot more than me about plating of metals. Whatever the finish is, it is very hard wearing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AgCl Posted February 22, 2016 Share #13 Posted February 22, 2016 My M6TTL is worn down to the bare zinc at several spots (strap, under the advance lever, rewind knob..) and its been out in the rain, sun, snow etc.. so far it didn't turned to powder.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
yigitaltay Posted February 22, 2016 Author Share #14 Posted February 22, 2016 My M6TTL is worn down to the bare zinc at several spots (strap, under the advance lever, rewind knob..) and its been out in the rain, sun, snow etc.. so far it didn't turned to powder.. Isn't top plate made out of brass in TTLs??? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelwj Posted February 23, 2016 Share #15 Posted February 23, 2016 You have a loooong way to go before you get to the zinc. My M6 is very worn, you can see the layers in parts. I've never noticed any corrosion or powder and I don't baby it, it's been covered in sea spray many times through the years, and been rained on countless times, and I sweat a bit. I don't abuse it either despite the look. http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/254423-what-is-underneath-an-m6-classic-finish/?p=2949689 Cheers, Michael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelwj Posted February 23, 2016 Share #16 Posted February 23, 2016 Isn't top plate made out of brass in TTLs??? Only some special editions, like the LSA and the millennium edition as far as I know. I'm often wrong though. Michael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AgCl Posted February 23, 2016 Share #17 Posted February 23, 2016 Most of the brass TTLs are black paint too. (Like the MIlenium etc) And I believe I heard that some of the last TTLs have brass top plates. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckrider Posted February 23, 2016 Share #18 Posted February 23, 2016 Even this one is no brass: http://leicaphilia.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/hellokiity-m6.jpg Thomas Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NB23 Posted February 23, 2016 Share #19 Posted February 23, 2016 It's all so worrying until the day you sell the camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted February 23, 2016 Share #20 Posted February 23, 2016 As I understand it Leica uses a black Eloxal process i.e. Black Anodising. Well that's what the factory at Solms quoted anyway. Eloxal is anodisation which applies to Aluminium only - Leica top plates were not (until recently) made from Aluminium so Black Chrome is applied as the black finish to black cameras unless they were Black Paint versions(see also: http://holzapfel-group.com/en/surfaces/decorative-surfaces/black-chrome.html). The finish is apparently applied onto a Nickel coating which itself is applied to the base (brass or Zinc). Eloxal is a superb and sometimes hardwearing finish - some underwater housings use it - but only available on Aluminium. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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