How to clean shutterleafs..and 'lubricate' a shutter.

arnoud bakker · May 31, 2024

Hello, I bought this simple but big shutter, it is one speed and B. but the leafs are a little corrosive, and the 'ring' (with the axes connected) turns a bit slow.
what can I do to make it smooth again? polish ? graphite ? ethanol or something else? any body?

thanks in advance Arnoud.

chuckroast · May 31, 2024

They normally don't need lubrication as much as they need cleaning. I use a very SMALL amount of naptha for this purpose. VERY small.

retina_restoration · May 31, 2024

Arnoud, it depends on what the shutter is. Some were made to "run dry" (no lubricants) and some were made to include modest amounts of various lubricants. It would be useful to know what brand and model of shutter you have.

_T_ · May 31, 2024

If it were me I would take it to the nearest camera repair shop and let them do it properly. Last time I had such an issue my local shop fixed it for $30 and the turnaround was two days

BrianShaw · Jun 1, 2024

arnoud bakker

It really would be best for you to post a few pictures. As others have correctly said, there are differences between shutters so generic answer might not be in your best interest. Rusty shutter leaves, however, are really difficult situation and might be what stymies your efforts. Good pictures of those could help us give bettter advice.

Chuck1 · Jun 1, 2024

_T_ said:
If it were me I would take it to the nearest camera repair shop and let them do it properly. Last time I had such an issue my local shop fixed it for $30 and the turnaround was two days

Where/who ?!

_T_ · Jun 2, 2024

The camera shop I’m referring to is Tempe Camera Repair in the Phoenix Metro Area in Arizona. But I’m a big proponent of supporting your local camera shop. If we don’t give our business to nearby camera shops they might not be there to help us when we need them.

nosmok · Jun 2, 2024

You have to be really careful with this, but a couple times I've had shutter blades binding against each other and cured it with graphite-- once with a tiny amount of powdered graphite on a cotton swab; and once with a soft-lead pencil just drawing on the blades (don't press hard, or at all, obviously). These were not lenses I use a bunch, but it worked when I needed them. Gently clean the blades with cotton swabs, alternating dabs of 90% alcohol, then a dry swab-- just to make sure old oil isn't the problem.

Romanko · Jun 3, 2024

Polish the shutter blades with Brasso or a similar product. You can watch Chris Sherlock's videos on Youtube to learn the best practices from a very experienced camera repairman.

arnoud bakker · Jun 3, 2024

this is what the shutter looks like, I'll watch the video's thanks!

Don_ih · Jun 3, 2024

If you are comfortable taking the shutter leaves out, you can polish the rust off and then use a miracle substance - spray furniture polish (Pledge) - to make the blades lemony fresh and ultra slippery (absolutely imperative to wipe all of it off immediately). The Pledge leaves a residue that reduces friction and seals the blades, protecting them from rusting. But you have to get the rust off. This can only be done with the blades out of the shutter.

This wasn't my idea, by the way. It was advice from Ken Hough, the former chief historian and restorer at Deardorff.

Ian Grant · Jun 3, 2024

There's not much to these shutters. I've stripped and serviced a few. It might surprise you that I use Toilet/Bathroom cleaner - anti Calcium - as rust remover, it works well.

Ian

How to clean shutterleafs..and 'lubricate' a shutter.

arnoud bakker​

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