dkmoore Posted July 14, 2018 Share #1 Posted July 14, 2018 Advertisement (gone after registration) Curious how difficult it would be to remove the black paint from a V1 Monochrome. What would I use? Just some sandpaper for metal or would that take too long? Oddly enough I love the look of the Jim Marshal Edition. The brass would have to be polished of course but I think it could look cool. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 14, 2018 Posted July 14, 2018 Hi dkmoore, Take a look here Leica MM1 - Removing the black paint. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Kwesi Posted July 14, 2018 Share #2 Posted July 14, 2018 Somehow. Think even fine sandpaper wouldn't give that rubbed look. Perhaps a microfiber cloth and some type of solvent. Try calling service in New Jersey. They should know. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkmoore Posted July 14, 2018 Author Share #3 Posted July 14, 2018 I sincerely doubt they will know how/share how to remove the black paint and I wouldn't use any solvent unless I took both the top plate and bottom plates off. I wanted to do it myself for some weird fun but I could more easily take the plates to a metal refinishing company who could probably do it in 10 minutes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kwesi Posted July 14, 2018 Share #4 Posted July 14, 2018 I thought you were looking to just gently rub the metal with something along the lines of a dab of nail polish remover on a microfiber cloth... anyway if do go ahead with whatever method you are comfortable with, do post some photos of the finished product. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elgenper Posted July 15, 2018 Share #5 Posted July 15, 2018 (edited) Easy. Just use it daily for 25 years or so.... Seriously, since the MMv1 is black chrome, not paint over brass, i don´t think you would like the result, even if you did find a way to "rub it off". I own an old, black chrome Leicaflex SL (the old, film one) that I did use mercilessly for several years. All beaten up and internally worn out - but that black finish is still pristine... Edited July 15, 2018 by elgenper 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted July 15, 2018 Share #6 Posted July 15, 2018 I second Per. Monochrom Black chrome is very tough. Mine shows nothing under the Black chrome after three years of use. I don't know if under the Black chrome coating, it's silver/tin or not. When I had Black paint MP, some "yellowing" appeared. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted July 15, 2018 Share #7 Posted July 15, 2018 Advertisement (gone after registration) Seriously, since the MMv1 is black chrome, not paint over brass, i don´t think you would like the result, even if you did find a way to "rub it off". I have a seriously well worn black chrome M3 which has the black chrome and underlying dull grey metal both worn through somewhat. It was a working camera and show extreme hard use as such. Whilst the 'patina' shows it to have worked hard, compared to a black paint M4 which has also worked hard, it is very much less pleasant aesthetically - if that is the word to use. But it does look 'honest' in that it has acquired its wear through use rather than intent. I think that trying to get a decent patina by design, whilst possible is a far from easy task. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colint544 Posted July 15, 2018 Share #8 Posted July 15, 2018 My MM1 is nearly six years old, and is showing a little silvering around the edges. On the flat part of the top deck, it is shiny and has gone a much lighter, greyer colour. Looks used, but not in the nice way a black paint camera can. Red Dot Cameras were selling an MM1 that the previous owner had polished, and it looked terrible in the photos. It was on their site for a long time (might still be) and it was going for cheaper than the other, unpolished MM1s. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkmoore Posted July 15, 2018 Author Share #9 Posted July 15, 2018 Easy. Just use it daily for 25 years or so.... Seriously, since the MMv1 is black chrome, not paint over brass, i don´t think you would like the result, even if you did find a way to "rub it off". I own an old, black chrome Leicaflex SL (the old, film one) that I did use mercilessly for several years. All beaten up and internally worn out - but that black finish is still pristine... I guess I confused the MM1. I thought it was black paint rather than black chrome. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkmoore Posted July 15, 2018 Author Share #10 Posted July 15, 2018 My MM1 is nearly six years old, and is showing a little silvering around the edges. On the flat part of the top deck, it is shiny and has gone a much lighter, greyer colour. Looks used, but not in the nice way a black paint camera can. Red Dot Cameras were selling an MM1 that the previous owner had polished, and it looked terrible in the photos. It was on their site for a long time (might still be) and it was going for cheaper than the other, unpolished MM1s. It would only look good if the brass color completely shows through. I wasn't aiming for the Kravitz look, more the J. Marshall. But I won't get there if its black chrome. I will probably leave it alone. Was curious how hard it would be. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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