Corroded film rails, is it tolerable in 35mm?

I think you can carefully scrape the corrosion off, or at least level with the original rails. Be careful that no dust falls into the shutter curtain. I've done this on one of my old Spotmatics, and it works fine.

 

Don't use any form of grease or lube, it will cause spotting on your negs.

Go get an orangewood stick (used for cuticles in a beauty shop) and scrape it off. If you absolutely MUST use an abrasive, try a gentle rub with a very fine rouge compound and clean it thoroughly!

As resummerfield says, be careful no dust or foreign matter falls into the shutter curtain.

 

You've nothing to loose by trying, so I'd say give it a go. Kino's suggestion appears sound. I wouldn't worry too much about disturbing the film plane registration. If you're lucky it won't matter. If not, it will only be very apparent when fast lenses are used wide open.

 

The whole trick is to start with the least harsh method and work your way up.Get some painters tape (1 1/2' wide) to place between the film rails.I use it when replacing light seals to prevent crud from falling into the camera.
A mild acid like white vinegar on Q-tips is a good cleaner.Windex is another.If the corrosion is really bad I might try a small pad of .00 sandpaper glued to a pencil end.Less is best with home brewed camera repair.

 

Yes, definitely. Don't be too enthusiastic or brutal-by-accident.
I concur that Windex is a good option; I've used Windex on a cotton bud ("Q-tips") on corroded battery terminals in old flashes I've picked up as slaves. Scraping the corrosion may result in a 'scab' coming off, taking with it a section of rail, so 'no-no' in that regard and go very cautiously.

Very fine facial emery paper is also good, but the same warning appears above and must be done with extreme care given the proximity to the shutter.

 

Like Kino said: wood, and Q-tip and rouge.
In staed of rouge you can use copper or silver polish.

Be reminded that the rails need to be clean and smooth not shining, some discoloration is not a problem.

Peter

 

Like Peter mentioned.
"Smooth" to prevent scratching or binding film.

 

I've used very fine crocus cloth available from most hardware stores. It worked well on my old Exakta cameras but as the others mentioned be careful not to get any crud into the shutter mechanism.

 

I had an old Bell&Howell 16mm camera that had synthetic rubies in the gate as the pressure guides and they were wonderfully gentle on film and never seemed to wear, no matter how many thousand feet of film I put through it.

Wish I still had that machine... It always made me wonder why higher-end camera manufacturers didn't use this in their pressure plate assemblies or why B&H stopped the practice?

 

Outline of sprocket holes gets imprinted on the film rails when the camera has been subjected to moisture / humidity during storage. John, www.zuiko.com