Cosmetic Restoration?

Having been (for the greater part) peripherally and (for the lesser part) intimately involved with photography since I was, oh, twelve or so, I've finally come to the conclusion that although I haven't an artist's eye for composition or a mathematician's head for exposure, I truly do love cameras, lenses, finders, and all manner of gizmos and gadgets. Show me a pretty chrome-and-leatherette creation from the 50s, and I'm instantly calculating my current debt load, wondering if I can sneak one more goody into the house under my wife's nose. I truly believe I have a (perhaps) mild case of OCD.

So here's the thing: let's say you have a new toy (an Exakta Varex perhaps; in decent shape but a little tatty around the edges) that needs a thorough overhaul. Let's also say you're obsessed with the idea of elevating your new toy to looks-like-it-just-came-out-of-the-box condition. Where (or to whom) do you go for the cosmetic restoration? The mechanical and optical end of things can be examined, repaired and adjusted by a number of craftsmen - but who will strip and re-enamel the body, polish the chrome, clean out every speck of dirt? Or should I start pricing airbrushes and small compressors, and begin learning new skills?

Thanks in advance for your input...

Hi Charles. Three things. First, why not learn to do it yourself and become the answer to you own question. Second, that's not OCD, that's G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome: bet you never dreamed of a diagnosis this morning did you?) and lastly, welcome to the club.

Your better off looking for a varex in cosmetically good condition with nackered inner workings that the other way round. They're relatively easy to fix the Exaktas, no matter how hopeless it may seem.

If you get one in good condition, you shouldn't need much more than polish.