MX Focusing Screen - Cleaning Tips

Hi all,
The focusing sreen on my MX has some black residue form a part that I don't know what it is called - it is like a foam that the mirror hits when the shutter is released - which has disintegrated.
Does anyone know that best way to clean the screen before I start fiddling with it myself please?
On a similar issue, my local independant camera store can get the MX serviced for £65, which seems reasonably steep compared to the value of the camera. Does anyone have anywhere they can recommend please?
I am in Sheffield, but don't mind posting it to be serviced.
Thanks, AndrewA

Asahi Photo or Harrow Technical. I wouldn't try to clean a screen or mirror as you'll damage them almost certainly.

The foam disintegrates after 30 years or so and this is something common to all makes of camera of that era. The foam you refer to is a mirror shock absorber and it absorbs the shock of the mirror as it flips up.

There is similar foam all aound the back of the camera and this is a light seal. That may wello be gone as well. When it all goes black and sticky it's horrible to remove.

Many thanks John.

£65 is about on the money, although I'd be more inclined to have one of the two businesses John named do the work.

If it was just the light seals then you can replace them yourself, takes about 20-30mins of careful, methodical work but it's not especially complicated. The kits are around £7 including postage from the USA and contain everything you need aside from a solvent to clean the old glue out - lighter fluid or something alcohol based will do.

Do not use any form of solvent on the focusing screen (or scrub it) as it will ruin it! Let a professional sort that bit out.

I had one of my MX bodies serviced and it cost £60, so £65 is a reasonable price.

Harrow Technical have a guide price of £66.50 on their site, you could give them a ring and discuss what you need to try and get a better price. I don't know if being a forum member gets any discounts though.

It used to. No harm in asking. K.

The discount still applied earlier this year when I had some work done. Great job too.

I've just had a quote for getting my MX & LX serviced by Harrow Technical and they have offered to give 15% discount for being a club member

I have just emailed both of John's suggestions to check on the price and the potential discount.
Thanks for your responses.

Just got my MX & LX back off Harrow Technical, they have done a very good job. Both cameras are just as they were 30 years ago when I first got them