TommyPlouffe Posted July 11, 2019 Share #1 Posted July 11, 2019 Advertisement (gone after registration) I just got a great deal on an M6 Classic, but it has very few bubbles here and there. (nothing major) I'm sure this subject has been written about multiple times on this forum and some of you may be tired of reading the same thing again and again. However, I was wondering if it would be possible to reverse the oxidation by getting it to bare zinc and painting it. Would it need to be treated with some type of chemical? Would it happen again? Sending it to Leica is not an option for me and M6 Classic top plates are hard to find online. So, is there any ways to reverse this zinc plague on the top plate? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 11, 2019 Posted July 11, 2019 Hi TommyPlouffe, Take a look here Can M6 Zinc Oxidation Be Reversed?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
ShivaYash Posted July 12, 2019 Share #2 Posted July 12, 2019 Don’t worry about it. My chrome M6 classic has a few tiny marks. I’m on the look out for a replacement top plate. Enjoy it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
otto.f Posted July 12, 2019 Share #3 Posted July 12, 2019 They never should have changed the top plate of the M4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matlock Posted July 12, 2019 Share #4 Posted July 12, 2019 15 minutes ago, otto.f said: They never should have changed the top plate of the M4 They changed it to overcome the alleged problem of top plate distortion. The usual case of curing one (extremely rare) problem and creating another. Having said that the problem is usually just cosmetic and, in itself, quite rare. My M6 is fine. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted July 12, 2019 Share #5 Posted July 12, 2019 Gaffa tape is cheap quick and easy! Plus it gives you that cool 'stealthy' photojournalist look! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Ricoh Posted July 12, 2019 Share #6 Posted July 12, 2019 3 hours ago, ShivaYash said: Don’t worry about it. My chrome M6 classic has a few tiny marks. I’m on the look out for a replacement top plate. Enjoy it. Red Dot cameras have a titanium top plate for sale. https://www.reddotcameras.co.uk/m-accessories/9387-leica-m6-ttl-titanium-top-plate.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyPlouffe Posted July 12, 2019 Author Share #7 Posted July 12, 2019 Advertisement (gone after registration) 6 hours ago, Steve Ricoh said: Red Dot cameras have a titanium top plate for sale. https://www.reddotcameras.co.uk/m-accessories/9387-leica-m6-ttl-titanium-top-plate.html Sadly, TTL top plates wont fit on an M6 Classic. The viewfinder and the shutter speed dial are smaller on the Classics. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckuwajima Posted July 12, 2019 Share #8 Posted July 12, 2019 17 hours ago, TommyPlouffe said: I just got a great deal on an M6 Classic, but it has very few bubbles here and there. (nothing major) I'm sure this subject has been written about multiple times on this forum and some of you may be tired of reading the same thing again and again. However, I was wondering if it would be possible to reverse the oxidation by getting it to bare zinc and painting it. Would it need to be treated with some type of chemical? Would it happen again? Sending it to Leica is not an option for me and M6 Classic top plates are hard to find online. So, is there any ways to reverse this zinc plague on the top plate? I have a M6 TTL bought used, with a few bubbles. I am careful being aware storing it in a dry cabinet when not in use, and did not see any worsening of the bubbling. I guess the oxidation was result of negligence of previous owner(s). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted July 12, 2019 Share #9 Posted July 12, 2019 I’ve used my M6 since 1985. Still no sign of zinc bubbles. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
weeowee Posted July 13, 2019 Share #10 Posted July 13, 2019 so, based on the answers I guess that’s a no on the reversing process? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adan Posted July 13, 2019 Share #11 Posted July 13, 2019 Techincally speaking, one could: remove top plate, grind or etch away all the chrome and subsurface plating layers, and then grind away the corroded zinc, repolish the grinding, and then replate or prime/paint the whole works. Possible, but likely not economic - would cost more than an uncorroded camera to begin with, unless it happens to be a collectible. In which case the "non-original" refinishing would still reduce the value. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
weeowee Posted July 13, 2019 Share #12 Posted July 13, 2019 Oh okok, was just curious🙂thank you. Probably easier to look for a new top plate on ebay or other online places. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted July 15, 2019 Share #13 Posted July 15, 2019 On 7/13/2019 at 7:43 PM, adan said: Techincally speaking, one could: remove top plate, grind or etch away all the chrome and subsurface plating layers, and then grind away the corroded zinc, repolish the grinding, and then replate or prime/paint the whole works. Possible, but likely not economic - would cost more than an uncorroded camera to begin with, unless it happens to be a collectible. In which case the "non-original" refinishing would still reduce the value. Put the grinder away, removing plating is as simple as reversing the process. You would then fill corrosion bubbles in the zinc (not grind it away), before re-plating. But the question would be 'is it worth it?' The corrosion isn't to do with previous owners daring to do things like use their camera in the rain, or live in a humid country, it is caused by contamination of the zinc itself. So it's potluck, 'no problems with mine' is as random as 'I've had three with corrosion'. So while you can buy fairly cheaply a plating kit to remove plating (it always baffles me why people get the sandpaper out to remove plating) it isn't worth it, it will could back again. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Ricoh Posted July 16, 2019 Share #14 Posted July 16, 2019 Is the use of zinc on the M6 one of the biggest cost cutting blunders of all time?! Although I like my classic M6, I try to shut my mind to the fact. If anyone has access to a competent machine shop it should be possible to fashion a 'proper' brass replacement. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted July 16, 2019 Share #15 Posted July 16, 2019 10 minutes ago, Steve Ricoh said: If anyone has access to a competent machine shop it should be possible to fashion a 'proper' brass replacement. I don't think it would economically sensible. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Ricoh Posted July 16, 2019 Share #16 Posted July 16, 2019 26 minutes ago, wattsy said: I don't think it would economically sensible. I know, but it's an option... Another being replacing with an MP. But for me it's not economically sensible either, based on the amount of film I use. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted July 16, 2019 Share #17 Posted July 16, 2019 25 minutes ago, Steve Ricoh said: I know, but it's an option... Another being replacing with an MP. But for me it's not economically sensible either, based on the amount of film I use. I imagine the most economical option is to sell a corroded M6 and buy a non-corroded M6. Either that or a 3D printed plastic copy.😀 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted July 16, 2019 Share #18 Posted July 16, 2019 As I've said, easier still is to cover it with gaffer tape - choice of colours! Or, stick on 'diamonds'. Lots of options really. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Ricoh Posted July 16, 2019 Share #19 Posted July 16, 2019 I let my heart instruct the purchase when I chose an M6 - it's a nice camera to use, and to fondle. However, if I had used my head instead, I'd probably have gone for a proper brass model. Zinc leaves a nasty taste. God have mercy on you Leica. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndreasG Posted July 16, 2019 Share #20 Posted July 16, 2019 vor 27 Minuten schrieb Steve Ricoh: Zinc leaves a nasty taste. I would not go so far. As to my information, only a few production batches right at the beginning suffer from the zinc bubble issue, caused by a faulty plating process - plating is comprised of several layers, not only the final "black chrome". I keep a 1996 and a 1990 M6, both are still perfect, not a single bubble, whereas a 1985 R4s looks like suffering black pox, even after repeated change of the top cover (but technically still top!). 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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