Bellows cleaning

[CollinB]

I like my old Eastman 2D.
But the bellows inside is pretty dusty.
What is the best method for cleaning it?

 

[Ian Grant]

I'd use a vacuum cleaner hose in the open space and gently tap the bellows. One problem is the cloth blackening will have faded substantially, this can cause some flare, so I've used a matt acrylic black paint - Lamp Black - to resatore my Agfa Ansco 10x8's bellows internally. However this needs experience as the sectret it it needs to be just enough to re-blacken without building up a layer of paint on top.

Ian