Green Rust on my Camera?

[eddy12]

Hello all, I attached a picture of my camera. There seems to be some kind of green mold or rust growing near the eyepiece. Could someone explain what this is and how to get rid of it? Thanks

 

[Photo Engineer]

Copper, Bronze or Brass in the metal?

PE

 

[eddy12]

Copper, Bronze or Brass in the metal?

PE

Not sure, it's a Nikon FM2N

 

[Photo Engineer]

Copper is one of the few metals that forms green corrosion.

Unless it is from Mars!

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Hello all, I attached a picture of my camera. There seems to be some kind of green mold or rust growing near the eyepiece. Could someone explain what this is and how to get rid of it? Thanks

Biological. Caused by perspiration - usually near eyebrow - that wasn't wiped off. Might try isopropyl alcohol on a swab to remove it. There might be some underlying pitting, depending on how long it's been there.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Perspiration causes oxidation of copper, bronze or brass around the eyepiece.

 

[EarlJam]

I found this poor, neglected Praktica at the bottom of a box, 10 years ago. Sadly, it couldn't be saved.

 

[AgX]

Biological. Caused by perspiration - usually near eyebrow - that wasn't wiped off. Might try isopropyl alcohol on a swab to remove it. There might be some underlying pitting, depending on how long it's been there.

Green "rust" is related to copper. It contains various copper salts.

Causes maybe corrosive atmosphere or residue of skin grease and as wax like mass instead due to contact with leather grease (extreme at buckles and rivets of cases).


Chromed surfaces, even if on plastic parts (!), typically have a copper underlayer.

 

[BradS]

A Q-tip dipped in ordinary white vinegar and carefully applied should clean it up. It may take several applications and a bit of firm rubbing

 

[Nathaniel S]

Copper, Bronze or Brass in the metal?

PE

This is correct. I have a black FM2 with some "brassing." The metal that shows from the worn away enamel has a brass color to it. It may be a different alloy, but there's definitely copper in it.

A Q-tip dipped in ordinary white vinegar and carefully applied should clean it up. It may take several applications and a bit of firm rubbing

This is what I do to clean up corrosion. Vinegar does a great job with battery corrosion as well.

I would add that you want to get cotton swabs, which Q-tips are. Some of the generic alternatives are polyester, which are far more abrasive than cotton.

 

[Kino]

From the look of the photo, the plating is already perforated in many places, so I would remove the ring, strip it and get a nickel brush electroplating kit OR just paint it with enamel paint.

There appears to be corrosion between the ring and the pentaprism housing in addition. If you don't stop that from advancing, the ring might just fall off the camera one day...