Cleaning Ground Glass

Machinery

A
Machinery

  • 3
  • 3
  • 44
Cafe art.

A
Cafe art.

  • 1
  • 7
  • 73
Sheriff

A
Sheriff

  • 0
  • 0
  • 57
WWPPD2025-01-scaled.jpg

A
WWPPD2025-01-scaled.jpg

  • 3
  • 1
  • 89

Recent Classifieds

Forum statistics

Threads
198,094
Messages
2,769,462
Members
99,561
Latest member
silas Harrington
Recent bookmarks
0

bmac

Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2002
Messages
2,154
Location
San Jose, CA
Format
Multi Format
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

Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2002
Messages
870
Location
Annapolis, M
Format
Medium Format
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

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Sep 7, 2002
Messages
19,974
Location
Honolulu, HI
Format
Large Format
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

Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2003
Messages
963
Location
Santa Barbar
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.
 

brimc76

Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2003
Messages
416
Location
Uxbridge On.
Format
Multi Format
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

Member
Joined
Jun 27, 2003
Messages
2,363
Location
NH
Format
Large Format
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.
 

removed account4

Subscriber
Joined
Jun 21, 2003
Messages
29,833
Format
Hybrid
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 :smile:

-john
 
Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here.

PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:



Ilford ADOX Freestyle Photographic Stearman Press Weldon Color Lab Blue Moon Camera & Machine
Top Bottom