grubby gear
Posted 24/01/2014 - 11:00 - Helpful Comment
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Washing machines are best avoided and I am guessing dishwashers too
For your info, I have never owned a truly grubby camera but when I need to tidy them up, I use an old toothbrush and toothpicks to pick grime out, I also use water and some times a tiny bit of lighter fluid. Also I have never attempted to clean a mirror since putting a scratch from top to bottom on a Spotmatic.
For leather I use saddle soap and keep buffing it up over time.
Hope its of some help.
For your info, I have never owned a truly grubby camera but when I need to tidy them up, I use an old toothbrush and toothpicks to pick grime out, I also use water and some times a tiny bit of lighter fluid. Also I have never attempted to clean a mirror since putting a scratch from top to bottom on a Spotmatic.
For leather I use saddle soap and keep buffing it up over time.
Hope its of some help.
Posted 24/01/2014 - 11:49 - Helpful Comment
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Damp lint free cloth?
Ken
“We must avoid however, snapping away, shooting quickly and without thought, overloading ourselves with unnecessary images that clutter our memory and diminish the clarity of the whole.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson -
“We must avoid however, snapping away, shooting quickly and without thought, overloading ourselves with unnecessary images that clutter our memory and diminish the clarity of the whole.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson -
Posted 24/01/2014 - 16:26 - Helpful Comment
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It is not just what you use, it is also how you use it.
Add to MattyH's list:
- masking tape - the sticky side picks up dirt that something else has loosened, and it makes a good seal over places that you don't want dirt getting in.
- a very soft 1/2" paintbrush to move loose dust.
- cotton buds for when you want to apply something fluid sparingly.
- White vinegar - on a cotton bud to clean battery terminals and compartments.
- a pin or fine needle - to get crud out of tiny cross-head screws.
- isoprop alcohol for when you don't want the faint oily film that lighter spirit leaves behind.
- hard floor wax - rubbed into deep scratches in plastic it will hide the white scratch by bringing it to a neutral colour. Note that it does not fill the scratch.
Some people have suggested Vaseline to renovate the rubber coverings on some lenses - but I have never tried this one myself
Geoff
Add to MattyH's list:
- masking tape - the sticky side picks up dirt that something else has loosened, and it makes a good seal over places that you don't want dirt getting in.
- a very soft 1/2" paintbrush to move loose dust.
- cotton buds for when you want to apply something fluid sparingly.
- White vinegar - on a cotton bud to clean battery terminals and compartments.
- a pin or fine needle - to get crud out of tiny cross-head screws.
- isoprop alcohol for when you don't want the faint oily film that lighter spirit leaves behind.
- hard floor wax - rubbed into deep scratches in plastic it will hide the white scratch by bringing it to a neutral colour. Note that it does not fill the scratch.
Some people have suggested Vaseline to renovate the rubber coverings on some lenses - but I have never tried this one myself
Geoff
Water can wear away a stone - but it can't cook lunch
X-5
istDS
K2000
P50.
Lenses Digital: 50-200, 18-55 KAF: 28-80.
Lenses KA & K: SMC-KA f2.0, SMC-K f1.4, SMC-K f1.7 Tokina KA 28-70 , SMC Pentax 70-210 F4, Sigma KA 75-300 , Hanimex 500mm Mirror, and the Tamron Adaptall-2 stuff.
and then there's all the M42 kit, and the accessories ...
X-5
istDS
K2000
P50.
Lenses Digital: 50-200, 18-55 KAF: 28-80.
Lenses KA & K: SMC-KA f2.0, SMC-K f1.4, SMC-K f1.7 Tokina KA 28-70 , SMC Pentax 70-210 F4, Sigma KA 75-300 , Hanimex 500mm Mirror, and the Tamron Adaptall-2 stuff.
and then there's all the M42 kit, and the accessories ...
Posted 27/01/2014 - 20:47
Link
Thanks for the above.
I have one or two bits that could just do with some care, as mattyH says 'some tidying up'
I would have thought that olive oil would be better, gentler product than Vaseline for renovating rubber coverings.
Where do you get isoprop alcohol from?
Dave
I have one or two bits that could just do with some care, as mattyH says 'some tidying up'
I would have thought that olive oil would be better, gentler product than Vaseline for renovating rubber coverings.
Where do you get isoprop alcohol from?
Dave
Posted 27/01/2014 - 22:12
Link
I have never tried Olive oil either - but since most vegetable oils tend to dry out (as opposed to harden) then it might well be better.
Isoprop alcohol used to come from Maplin, but the best source now is Amazon - large quantity, but very cheap for it. look for Isopropanol.
Geoff
Isoprop alcohol used to come from Maplin, but the best source now is Amazon - large quantity, but very cheap for it. look for Isopropanol.
Geoff
Water can wear away a stone - but it can't cook lunch
X-5
istDS
K2000
P50.
Lenses Digital: 50-200, 18-55 KAF: 28-80.
Lenses KA & K: SMC-KA f2.0, SMC-K f1.4, SMC-K f1.7 Tokina KA 28-70 , SMC Pentax 70-210 F4, Sigma KA 75-300 , Hanimex 500mm Mirror, and the Tamron Adaptall-2 stuff.
and then there's all the M42 kit, and the accessories ...
X-5
istDS
K2000
P50.
Lenses Digital: 50-200, 18-55 KAF: 28-80.
Lenses KA & K: SMC-KA f2.0, SMC-K f1.4, SMC-K f1.7 Tokina KA 28-70 , SMC Pentax 70-210 F4, Sigma KA 75-300 , Hanimex 500mm Mirror, and the Tamron Adaptall-2 stuff.
and then there's all the M42 kit, and the accessories ...
Posted 27/01/2014 - 22:13
Link
Thanks Geoff.
Posted 27/01/2014 - 22:17
Link
I've used olive oil on sun bleached motor car rubber trim before and it works wonders. Doesn't last long outside in sunlight mind but used sparingly it will bring old dried out rubber back to life.
Posted 27/01/2014 - 22:36
Link
Old gear can smell musty and being kept in leather cases makes it worse.
I wipe the leather parts in tea tree oil as it is a natural enemy to mold and spores. It will buff up and add a little live to the covering.
If you box the equipment with a small piece of cotton wool soaked with tea tree it will remove the smell. It does though have its own distinctive smell, not unpleasant but strong, but this will clear after some time in open air.
It only costs about £1.50 for a small bottle and goes a long way.
I wipe the leather parts in tea tree oil as it is a natural enemy to mold and spores. It will buff up and add a little live to the covering.
If you box the equipment with a small piece of cotton wool soaked with tea tree it will remove the smell. It does though have its own distinctive smell, not unpleasant but strong, but this will clear after some time in open air.
It only costs about £1.50 for a small bottle and goes a long way.
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1366 posts
20 years
yorkshire
Dave