Cleaning Green Crud off an Old Camera

Fotoguy20d · Dec 19, 2008

I just got a very nice Ansco Memo in the mail except for one small issue. Around the nameplate and the base of the viewfinder, there's some green crud growing. What's the best way to clean it off without destroying paint or leather?

Thanks,
Dan

viridari · Dec 19, 2008

Copper solvent. You can get it from the local gun shop or sporting goods section of wal-mart. The green crud is corroded copper.

Fotoguy20d · Dec 20, 2008

Thanks. I'll go looking for it tonight maybe (weather dependant). I always figured it for some sort of organic. Didn't occur to me there would be copper anywhere in a camera but I suppose that makes sense since a lot of these old parts are made of brass which is around 70% copper if I remember right.

Dan

df cardwell · Dec 20, 2008

Verdigris

If that makes you feel better than thinking of it as green gunk.

Larry Bullis · Dec 20, 2008

viridari said:
...The green crud is corroded copper.

The nameplate is most likely a copper alloy. Those things were photoengraved like halftones for letterpress. Probably the same material.

haclil · Dec 20, 2008

If you want to use something a little less strong you might try fresh lemon juice.

Or, for a method that's basically dry, I'd try slightly moistened "magic white foam". That's the kitchen helper that came out some 5 years ago. It looks like a block (or blocks) of fine white foam. But it isn't simple foam. It is mildly abrasive and can remove just about any stain from hard surfaces without leaving scratches.

Fotoguy20d · Dec 20, 2008

df cardwell said:
Verdigris

If that makes you feel better than thinking of it as green gunk.

The best example (or most visible) might be the Statue of Liberty. Rather not think of her as coated in green gunk so verdigris it is.

Cleaning Green Crud off an Old Camera

Fotoguy20d

viridari

Fotoguy20d

df cardwell

Larry Bullis

haclil

Fotoguy20d

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