Cleaning Ground Glass

bmac · Sep 3, 2003

Ok, this could be the stupid question of the week, but here goes! What is the best fluid to clean an old ground glass? There is a lot of buildup on the rough side of my 8x10 glass. I have heard that Windex is ok, as long as I rinse it and then air dry it (no whiping) any other tips?

dr bob · Sep 3, 2003

That's about it. From the standpoint of optics, there's not too much one can do to damage ground glass outside of outright breakage. The main reason not to wipe is to insure absence of fibers inside the camera where they might easily be transferes to film later.

I've used cameras where the gg was cracked, "rubbed" (gg smoothed due to "contact" with sharp object), or otherwise damaged. There is a consideration of resale value or preservation of course.

dr bob.
R. Eugene Smith
Annapolis

David A. Goldfarb · Sep 3, 2003

If your groundglass has grid marks or format outlines, be careful, because you might erase them. Test in an inconspicuous place first. I did this to a Linhof GG with Windex. Fortunately it was no great loss, because the format outlines didn't quite match my 6x7 back, and I don't mind penciling in my own grid lines, but it did make a mess.

Loose Gravel · Sep 3, 2003

I've always used soap and water with towel dry. Just like a dish. I had one with lines on it and I purposely removed them with acetone.

Aggie · Sep 3, 2003

brimc76 · Sep 3, 2003

I also cleaned my ground glass with soap and water and removed all the grid lines. Fortunately the grid lines are faintly etched into the glass I have so if I want to I can draw them back in (I suppose). I've never felt that I needed to though, as I can see the etched lines if I look for them. The ground glass on my 4x5 had a lot of tar and discolouration from being in a room with heavy smoke for a number of years. It works fine now.

L Gebhardt · Sep 4, 2003

The best glass cleaner I have found is Invisible Glass from the auto section of Wallymart. Works great for cars windows as well. Is fine for groundglass as long as the lines are not just drawn on - test first.

MikeK · Sep 4, 2003

The only time you need to be careful cleaning the ground glass is if has a non-removeable fresnel lens attached. Getting fluid in between the two surfaces is bad news.

- Mike

JohnArs · Sep 7, 2003

Hi

I always take Kodak lens cleaner for all thad staff!

David Vickery · Sep 16, 2003

I took mine off and put it in the dishwasher along with the dishes.

sergio caetano · Oct 12, 2003

Neutral soap (glycerine) and water.

removed account4 · Oct 12, 2003

i washed mine with watered down windex, and freaked out for a second when the grid lines disappeared ... after my heart stopped pounding, the lines came back

-john

Cleaning Ground Glass

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