How to Clean a Rusty Rangefinder?

PGraham3 · Nov 26, 2017

Howdy, APUG!
I’m in the restoration mood again and I’m considering grabbing a very old and fairly rusty rangefinder for super-duper-dirt-cheap and bringing it back to life. However, if you take a look at the photos below, does this seem like a camera that I can doably restore and clean? If so, what’s your opinion on the best way of doing that without damaging the camera even further?
Look forward to read your responses. Thanks!
-Paul

Fixcinater · Nov 26, 2017

Are you looking to just do general clean up or wanting a full resto job? That chrome needs to be re-done, if for the latter.

Those early style Canons are pretty accessible, otherwise so yes, a good option. If you haven't opened up an RF before, a cheap broken Kiev or Zorki could be a good first step and less to cry over if things don't go smoothly.

bdial · Nov 26, 2017

The brown color you see is not rust (most likely) it's the brass base metal showing through the chrome plating. Some metal polish will brighten things up, and you will have shiny brass and chrome. As Fixcinater says, if you want to restore it to unblemished chrome you will need to remove those pieces, then the chrome can be removed and redone.

John Koehrer · Nov 27, 2017

Yeah, post war plating left a lot to be desired. Like the others said, replating would be the way to go.
Of course, with the chrome removed, it would be a candidate for a repaint job, Most paint available won't hold up
but I've been thinking about firearms paint may be a good candidate. I think a weapon may be a little more roughly that a camera.

PGraham3 · Nov 27, 2017

As mentioned, yeah, it seems that re-chroming will be necessary. This may be a more expensive proposition than what I'd desire to pay to restore a camera like this.
Thanks for your comments, fellas. Much appreciated!
-Paul

BrianVS · Nov 28, 2017

Is the camera in good working condition?
Just buy another baseplate- they are usually cheap.

smith931 · Dec 28, 2017

Hi there, is it work properly or not. Do you want to clean it from outside or full clean? If you clean only from outside then I have some tips for you.

You can use Windex on a soft toothbrush. Don’t use any lens cleaner containing ammonia to come into contact with the lens. It applies to lens coatings made and to naturally bloomed lenses.

You can do automotive chrome polish. If it won't get it out, the only things you can do remove the chrome and get the part re-chromed.

bdial · Dec 28, 2017

smith931 said:
Hi there, is it work properly or not. Do you want to clean it from outside or full clean? If you clean only from outside then I have some tips for you.

You can use Windex on a soft toothbrush. Don’t use any lens cleaner containing ammonia to come into contact with the lens. It applies to lens coatings made and to naturally bloomed lenses.

You can do automotive chrome polish. If it won't get it out, the only things you can do remove the chrome and get the part re-chromed.

Ammonia lens cleaners won't hurt glass lenses or coated glass lenses.

How to Clean a Rusty Rangefinder?

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