Cleaning Green Crud off an Old Camera

[Fotoguy20d]

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]

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]

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]

Verdigris

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

 

[Larry Bullis]

...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]

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]

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.