How to clean Art Deco?

Malice · May 11, 2016

Hello
This is my new (old) camera.

I have just finished my first test film and it looks like camera works almost perfectly. It's only a little dirty outside and with traces of green corrosion stuff. Especially on the black plate with exposure instructions on the "back door". I know you can remove it with vinegar or metal polish but... I'm a little afraid to damage all those silver/white letters on the plate (exposure charts). Anybody has some experience with cleanig Art Deco. How about cleaning camera body with simple metal (silver) cleaner. Dr. Beckamnn from Germany in my case?

mooseontheloose · May 11, 2016

I have the same camera, which had the same problems. I cleaned it the way I cleaned my silver rings, with toothpaste (the normal kind) and an old (dry) toothbrush. Worked great.

baachitraka · May 11, 2016

Do not clean it, please.

Malice · May 12, 2016

baachitraka said:
Do not clean it, please.

And the reason is...? Yes, I know that sometimes the best solution is" Leave it as it is" (especially with old coins). But I think this green stuff is not good for camera.

baachitraka · May 12, 2016

I personally do not know the long term consequences of those cleaning agents and what damage it may cause to the camera.

Just store in a dry place.

shutterfinger · May 12, 2016

For the green stuff get a medium or hard bristle tooth brush and dry brush it off. Wipe the body down with glass cleaner on a soft towel.
I would not use metal polish or cleaner on any painted surface.

gone · May 12, 2016

I'm sure the vinegar/tooth paste would have no ill effects on painted surfaces, and should smarten it up nicely. Just in case, use a soft brush or simply a soft rag on a trial area w/ some of that on it. I prefer a little lighter fluid on a soft rag to clean things, but you would be amazed at what a little water and a touch of dish washing soap on a soft cloth will get off. The green probably came from storing in that case, and if it were mine I would never put it inside that thing. They're known for causing all sorts of mold issues.Those leather straps look like an accident waiting to happen too.

Now, about that hood...it appears to be listing port side a bit :] Beautiful camera.

John Koehrer · May 12, 2016

I do what mooseontheloose does.

bdial · May 13, 2016

My favorite is paste wax, either the plain stuff sold for floors and woodwork, or an automotive wax. The solvent in it loosens the grime, wipe it off before the wax dries, then buff it a little.

Malice · May 13, 2016

momus said:
The green probably came from storing in that case, and if it were mine I would never put it inside that thing. They're known for causing all sorts of mold issues.Those leather straps look like an accident waiting to happen

Most of my cameras (Polish or FSU origin) spent their lives in leather cases, no problem with this. I’ve heard/read many times that the best thing you can do with Rollei case is to throw it away. Seriously, what is wrong with Rollei cases? IMHO those are very useful, especially during my photo trips. I wish I have one for my 3,5 White Face.
Straps? OK in my opinion.

TheFlyingCamera · May 13, 2016

I would not trust a vintage leather strap, no matter the apparent condition. Replacing it is cheap; repairing a Deco Rolleicord that plunged onto a concrete sidewalk, or worse over the side of a three story building, would be somewhere between exorbitantly expensive and impossible. This one looks too nice to risk that way.

On a related note, instead of futzing around with trying to clean it and possibly making a mess, send it in for a good CLA to a reputable Rollei tech. They'll clean that up as well while it's in the shop, and then you'll know it is in top form and ready to go for another 70 years.

shutterfinger · May 13, 2016

The Green corrosion is from brass usually used as rivets or pins in assemblies. It is worse where moisture and skin oils accumulate on cameras. It can become hardened and difficult to remove. On brass plates that can be removed I sometimes have to cut the corrosion off with a knife. On the finish side I use round wooden toothpick(s) to get around the pin/rivet head. Cider vinegar will remove rust on steel, I have not used it on brass. Naphtha may damage the paint/lacquer finish. 90% Isopropyl Alcohol will cause paint on this vintage of cameras to bubble and peel if left on for 5 minutes or more if the paint is weak.

How to clean Art Deco?

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