Bag bellows question

Buster6X6 · Jan 31, 2005

About three months ago I bought bag bellows for my Toyo to use with 90/f8 Super Angulon.The seller on eBay "forgot" to tell me that surface of the bellows was sort of tacky.I tried to use some leather preservative but it is still sticky.I hate to take it out it would probably collect all the dust around.I have the lens mounted in recessed board now but it does limit the movements.Any suggestions would be appreciated.I did not pay much money for it so I did not think it was worth my while to return it to the seller.

Thanks Greg

David H. Bebbington · Jan 31, 2005

Have you tried simply hanging the bellows up indoors to dry? Whenever I buy second-hand bellows I usually apply either silicone spray (for synthetic leather) or black liquid shoe polish (genuine leather) and then leave the bellows extended indoors to dry. Hard to know what gunk your seller has applied, but I would think silicone would shift it.

rbarker · Jan 31, 2005

Assuming it's the standard Toyo bag bellows, it's a rubberized material, not leather. So, you can probably get away with cleaning it with just about any household cleaner - up to and including lighter fluid, if need be. After that, a conditioner of the sort used on auto interiors might be a good idea. But, as David suggested, buff off the excess, and let it dry open before folding it up.

bobfowler · Jan 31, 2005

rbarker said:
Assuming it's the standard Toyo bag bellows, it's a rubberized material, not leather. So, you can probably get away with cleaning it with just about any household cleaner - up to and including lighter fluid, if need be. After that, a conditioner of the sort used on auto interiors might be a good idea. But, as David suggested, buff off the excess, and let it dry open before folding it up.

Maybe mine is older, but my Toyo bag bellows is made from leather...

Buster6X6 · Jan 31, 2005

This one is made out of leather very soft and playable, I sort of left it sitting on top of one of the boxes holding printing paper ,I lifted it of the box ,and where ever was touching the box left part of the top bellows surface on the box.So it is removing top layer of the leather. When I strike my hand over the surface it does not stick it sort feels like dissolved?I think if I was to take my finger nail and scrape it would take top surface off.

Thanks Greg :confused:

Donald Qualls · Jan 31, 2005

Saddle soap, followed by neat's foot oil once the leather is completely dry. If that doesn't fix it up, rush it to the nearest small independent shoe repair shop, where the proprietor will likely be overjoyed to have a chance to work on a leather item that doesn't smell of feet, and can probably make it soft and supple like a kidskin glove.

Meantime, make a note of the eBay seller's name, so you can avoid buying other LF items from the same jerkwad.

David H. Bebbington · Jan 31, 2005

I hate to say it, but from Greg's second posting it almost sounds as if the bellows are made of synthetic leather and are oozing plasticizer. This is rare but can happen if the bellows are stored for a long period in hot humid conditions. Try the remedies which have been suggested, but the bellows just might have had it!

Buster6X6 · Jan 31, 2005

Bellows came from Florida(Hot ,Humid?) Box reads: Sakai special camera company:Balloon bellows Toyo45G:Cat.#180-703 A can't say is the bellows were made out of synthetic leather, but sure previous comments indicate it is.

Thanks to all you were a great help.Chalk another $50 to Epay

Greg

Dave Parker · Jan 31, 2005

is it epays fault that you got a seller that sold a bad set of bellows? and you waited 3 months to say anything?

Dave

jimgalli · Jan 31, 2005

This is actually a perfect situation and you just haven't realized it yet. All the lint that normally goes on your unexposed emulsion will get sidetracked to the bellows. I covered the entire C1 camera I just sent you with Scotch 77. Hope that was OK. Jim

Buster6X6 · Feb 1, 2005

Dave
I know what you are saying.There is maybe 2-3% sellers that make us say ePay. Out of 90 purchases I had problems with three that went wrong.Made me more aware of who I buy it from.I will never buy anything from that seller again.So maybe we can weed them out that way. As I said I can use bellows just it is annoying they feel sticky.I did ask a question on another forum after I got the bellows .I enjoy this forum now that is the reason I am asking it three months later .Naff said.

Thanks Jim I am patiently waiting and I did send you couple of prints today.

Greg

glbeas · Feb 1, 2005

Makes me suspect the bellows was cleaned with something incompatible with its material. Some oils will dissolve some plastics and theres not much you can do to reverse the problem.

Buster6X6 · Feb 1, 2005

I was afraid of that

Thanks Gary

Bag bellows question

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