Leica M4-P Refinishing Black Chrome

[DaveLPhoto]

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I've had this M4-P for a few years, and as you can see, it has been scuffed up... presumably the previous owner did it to make it look a bit less desirable to others. I was thinking about having it refinished, but I am unable to find someone that does the process for cameras. cars, tools, pipes, even an arm for a Bucky Barnes (winter soldier) cosplay, but alas I cannot find someone that does the black chrome for my Leica

It would seem that I have only two options, leave it the way it is, or have it repainted. any advice you can give would be great.
Sorry if this is a subject that has been covered before =o)

Much Aloha!

 

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Edited 5 hours ago by DaveLPhoto
photo was the wrong format and adding more info

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[jaapv]

Just use it as-is. A repaint is fine but it won't stay pristine for long. Or just get a second camera. 

[pippy]

58 minutes ago, DaveLPhoto said:

I've had this M4-P for a few years, and as you can see, it has been scuffed up......I was thinking about having it refinished......but alas I cannot find someone that does the black chrome for my Leica......

Hello (Aloha!) Dave, and welcome to the forum.

The process Leica used for their black-chrome camera finish was deemed to be very unfriendly for the environment - 'heavy' chemicals - which is one reason the finish used for your M4-P is no longer on offer.

The Black Paint repaint is a finish which is very popular with photographers and collectors alike. There are a few companies which offer this service. Or, of course, simply carry-on using it as-is. It all depends on whether the 'look' it has currently is something which annoys you...

Best of luck in finding a solution!

Philip.

[250swb]

Removing plating is simply done by reversing the anode and diode in the plating bath, what put it on also can be used to take it off. If replating that is what you’d need to do. Is it worth it, probably not, and I think your camera looks cool as it is. And I don’t think painting is an option, the only way to do a proper chrome to paint conversion on a body is to strip the chrome because paint will not stick to chrome. By the time you’ve finished and had a tech rebuild the camera you may as well have bought one in better cosmetic condition.