gyoung Posted November 7, 2008 Share #1 Posted November 7, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have just acquired a 9cm Elmar to use on the III, optically its fine (just a few minor marks) but its been well used and the chrome around the depth of field scales is very dirty from being rubbed by fingers when focussing, any advice on cleaning the chrome without removing the chrome from the brass would be appreciated. Also the engravings on the focus ring have lost a lot of the black paint, again advice on refurbishing these would be gratefully received, I can fill them with black enamel but when and how do I remove the inevitable surplus paint? I am used to (railway) modelling, so can wield small brushes, paint, common solvents and cleaners without problems. Gerry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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dkCambridgeshire Posted November 7, 2008 Share #2 Posted November 7, 2008 If the chrome around the depth of field scales is just dirty, then a "Q-TIP" cotton wool swab moistened with iso propyl alcohol (but not so moist as to be dripping wet) can be used for cleaning. And then wipe off the dissolved dirt with a dry cloth or tissue. The black infill in the engravings can be remedied using a very fine (less than 1mm tip) Staedtler permanent black marker pen available from drawing office suppliers and good stationers ... any surplus ink should be removable with the iso propyl alcohol or methylated spirit but again do not use a tissue or a cloth that is too moist. But it is best not to try and tart up an old lens too much ... there are too many on the market which have been "overdone" ... as there are old LTM cameras with badly repainted brass. I have an M6 Titanium and could never see the white numerals on the shutter speed dial against the titanium grey background. So I filled in all the engravings using a Staedtler extra fine black marker. And then wiped off the surplus with solvent leaving the black in the numerals. I also did the same to all the other logos on the top plate. And the "infill" has lasted over ten years so far. Maybe I'll post a photo of my M6 ... I think it looks smarter with black logos/numerals than the original indistinct white. But the black can always be removed if necessary. Cheers dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gyoung Posted November 9, 2008 Author Share #3 Posted November 9, 2008 If the chrome around the depth of field scales is just dirty, then a "Q-TIP" cotton wool swab moistened with iso propyl alcohol (but not so moist as to be dripping wet) can be used for cleaning. And then wipe off the dissolved dirt with a dry cloth or tissue. The black infill in the engravings can be remedied using a very fine (less than 1mm tip) Staedtler permanent black marker pen available from drawing office suppliers and good stationers ... any surplus ink should be removable with the iso propyl alcohol or methylated spirit but again do not use a tissue or a cloth that is too moist. But it is best not to try and tart up an old lens too much ... there are too many on the market which have been "overdone" ... as there are old LTM cameras with badly repainted brass. I have an M6 Titanium and could never see the white numerals on the shutter speed dial against the titanium grey background. So I filled in all the engravings using a Staedtler extra fine black marker. And then wiped off the surplus with solvent leaving the black in the numerals. I also did the same to all the other logos on the top plate. And the "infill" has lasted over ten years so far. Maybe I'll post a photo of my M6 ... I think it looks smarter with black logos/numerals than the original indistinct white. But the black can always be removed if necessary. Cheers dunk Thanks, I have looked at all the bottles I have and iso propyl alcohol is not among them! Is it available as a proprietory item? or where can I get some please. Thanks, Gerry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted November 9, 2008 Share #4 Posted November 9, 2008 Thanks, I have looked at all the bottles I have and iso propyl alcohol is not among them! Is it available as a proprietory item? or where can I get some please. Thanks, Gerry My local Chiinese supermarket sells iso propyl alcohol where it is on display in their kitchen utensils section. Pharmacists also stock it but they may cross examine you as to why you wish to purchase it. Methylated spirit will also do the job... but so will soap and water if you are careful and do not overdo it ie be sure not to get any solution into the lens. Any cleaning you do is at your own risk ... you must be careful not to get any fluid into the lens. Cheers dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gyoung Posted November 9, 2008 Author Share #5 Posted November 9, 2008 My local Chiinese supermarket sells iso propyl alcohol where it is on display in their kitchen utensils section. Pharmacists also stock it but they may cross examine you as to why you wish to purchase it. Methylated spirit will also do the job... but so will soap and water if you are careful and do not overdo it ie be sure not to get any solution into the lens. Any cleaning you do is at your own risk ... you must be careful not to get any fluid into the lens. Cheers dunk Thanks, I'll detach the lens head first! Gerry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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