Lubricating film holders and dark slides?

jmccl@yahoo.com · May 26, 2020

I have acquired a 1952 Deardorff 8X10 with included film holders. The holders require significant effort to insert and a strong pull to remove, so much so that I can't really do in while the camera in on a tripod without causing the tripod to shift. Even with the camera closed up and sitting on my lap it is a struggle to remove the holder. The dark slides are quite stiff to remove and insert also. Is there a "trick" to removing the holder or is there a lubricant that I can use to ease the insertion and removal of both the film holders and dark slides?

Thanks for any help.

abruzzi · May 26, 2020

Just a thought—what about something like surfboard wax? The main thing is you don’t want something that is going to come off and get on things.

Donald Qualls · May 26, 2020

Surf board wax is intended to increase the grip for feet on what would otherwise be a slippery-when-wet fiberglass resin surface.

You need a lubricant wax -- plain soap (White King or Ivory) works, or simple paraffin (a cheap candle, or as sold for sealing jam jars). Just a rub, doesn't need to be caked on. And the harder the wax, the better, else it'll become sticky in hot weather.

Vaughn · May 26, 2020

Furniture polish works fine for the darkslides. The holders (wood, I assume), consider sanding one edge down a bit...don't see why not.

BradS · May 26, 2020

I usually clean the dark slides with ordinary hot water and dish soap, dry thoroughly and then, depending on...I'm not sure what, honestly...I'll do one of the following:

rub the edges of the dark slide with a little bee's wax and clean off all excess with a clean cloth.
polish them with Johnson's (Carnuba?) Paste wax - this requires lots of time and effort but works very well.
spray them VERY lightly with furniture polish (I don't remember the brand) and rub thoroughly with clean dry cloth. I don't like this method but, it is quick and fairly easy. Just gotta make sure they dry well before reinstalling into the film holders.

Kino · May 26, 2020

Donald Qualls said:
simple paraffin (a cheap candle, or as sold for sealing jam jars). Just a rub, doesn't need to be caked on. .

+1

glbeas · May 26, 2020

It probably wouldnt hurt to clean up the wooden camera parts and give them a carnauba wax polish as well. Same reason you would wax wood furniture.

cowanw · May 26, 2020

I worry the dark slide felt/ light tight fabric might well get clogged.

Pioneer · May 26, 2020

Clean up the dark slides and clean the slots (toothbrush works for that.) Once everything is dry the dark slides should slide easily in and out. A very light application of unscented candle wax from a tealight candle is plenty if more is needed.

It seems from your original post that you may be having some problem getting the film holders in and out of the camera itself as well. The film holders are held in place in the camera with a tongue and groove along the top which also functions as a light trap. Just pull the film holder slightly back away from the camera and then pull it out of the camera. Again, a little light cleaning of the film holder itself can help with a very small application of wood wax and polishing. This will also get your film holders looking shiny and new as well.

Vaughn · May 27, 2020

Good point, Dan. I missed that. Unless the holders are old wood ones of slightly different width (which is what I assumed), the sides of a holder should never bind when going in or out of the camera back. The two Deardorff backs I have used (5x7 and 8x10) had a little wiggle-room...as have most LF cameras I have used.

John Koehrer · May 27, 2020

+ another one for canning wax, or candle.

Ari · May 28, 2020

Pledge furniture polish.

BradS · May 28, 2020

Ari said:
Pledge furniture polish.

Ah yes! That's it...Lemon Fresh Pledge.

GKC · May 28, 2020

DON'T use Butcher's Wax. Trust me on this one.

Lubricating film holders and dark slides?

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