Cleaning Metal Parts of a Rolleiflex SL66

[Shangheye]

I am about to receive one of these camears in the post, and I can see that it (and it seems most that I have seen on the web) have a certain amount of "brassing" on the anodised metal parts. I say brassing, but I don't know that the metal on the SL66 is in fact Anodised brass or steel. I just have assumed that since that was common in thnose days, that is what it is

Anyway, I would appreciate if someone can give me quidance on the following:

- Is this brown colour (Usually found near the junction with the leatherette) rust or something else?

- Whichever it is (i.e. rust or som other material) what would be the best way to deal with it?

I do have a Spotmatic SPII with what appears to be similar material and I am considering doing a test on that, though I have no real guarantee it will be the same.

I would appreciate any advice I can get on the subject! I have researched on the net, and there are plenty of suggestions, but there is no reference I can find for what the metal parts are in this camera and what the brown material may be.

Rgds, kal

 

[John Koehrer]

On the metal surfaces I'd use a common household cleaner like Fantastik,409 or the like just apply it with an old tooth brush & wipe off any residue with rubbing alcohol..
Your profile doesn't indicate where you are so these are US products used for cleaning refrigerators/stoves etc.
They're stronger than glass cleaner but not strong enough to harm metal or leatherette found on cameras.


The metal used in the Rollei is most likely an aluminum alloy, if it's very shiny it's likely plated w/chrome, nickel or some other shiny stuff ;P. Couldn't remember the term(aging rapidly)

 

[fotch]

Brass does not rust. If your judging via a photo, I would wait till the camera arrives because it may be just a reflection of the background when the photo was taken.

If there is something on it, then maybe contact some Rollie SL66 repairman that specialize in this camera and ask them as well as here on APUG.

 

[Slixtiesix]

Yes it is in fact aluminium. If the brown spots occure around the leatherette it will probably be the old glue.
Here you can see how to remove the leatherette and how to clean the camera, but I have never tried this myself.

http://web.archive.org/web/20050307150108/www.sl66.com/offers/diamond/procedure.htm

If one is careful enough the "leather" could probably be used again but chances are high that it will be damaged. I don´t know wheather the leather parts are still available as new or "nos" parts.

Regards, Benjamin

 

[Shangheye]

Thankyou all for the great links and advice. Since the tarnishing seems to be on the metal (need to wait till I receive it) then I only see a need to clean the metal and leave the leatherette alone. Rgds, Kal