m6 paint bubbling

seanE · Apr 10, 2016

Hi guys, I have an m6 that I most likely will be selling soon, Its working 100 percent, But the paint work is a little tatty, There are a bubbles and a light scratch, How badly will this affect its value, Ive been considering
getting it striped and enamelling it myself.
in short how much could I expect to get for a fully working user m6, vs what I would get for a refurbished one.
I like working with these cameras so if I could make a little profit buying and doing up tatty ones while getting a feel for the different models that would be the ultimate win for me

John Koehrer · Apr 10, 2016

The biggest problem with repaints is durability of the paint. As in, most aren't anything like the original.
There is a firearm paint available, it's two part in one can. The hardener is unsealed just before working and has
less than a days life. Did I mention it ain't cheap?
From keeping an eye on several sites & spotting repaints, There's a drastic difference between the sellers value
and money in hand. Many seem to be $400+ more than a clean but not refurbished copy. No idea what they actually
sell for but you might check sold items on evil bay

CropDusterMan · Apr 10, 2016

I would not recommend painting it yourself...the bubbling you are experiencing was a problem with later M6's when they switched to zinc top plates...
had something to do with improper cleaning and prep prior to the final surfaces being applied...was a hit or miss deal. Often, if surfaces got scratched, humidity accelerated the issue.
A good working M6 in 8+ condition should fetch around
1200-1400 on Ebay, but painting one of these cameras, always ends up looking like crap...and you may actually hurt the value.

I've seen many and you'll end up having a harder time selling it...you may just want to sell it for a lower price and move on. As soon as I see a bubbling M6 listed on Ebay,
I immediately skip it, as there are many good specimens to choose from. Generally, Leica users are a finicky bunch, and not prone to accepting un-orthodox repairs...unless
you really know how to do high end refinishing work, I wouldn't waste your time.

John Koehrer · Apr 12, 2016

There's been on M6 ttl(may be non ttl) on Chicago CL for about $1k once in a while recently

CropDusterMan · Apr 13, 2016

A $grand for an M6? TTL or TTL FLash version...if it looked good, snag it at that price.

guangong · Apr 14, 2016

There is a leica repairman in japan who separates the body shell from yhe rest of the camera snd uses a professional enamal that is thenbaked properly. If you are fond of the camera but aesthetically bothered by the finish thsi is the way to go . I have seen his work and it is besutiful. If you just was to sell the camera just dont do anything because you will lessen its value. I dont know the name or address of the fellow in japan but it should be avsilable from lug or any other serious leica nuts.

Xmas · Apr 24, 2016

Selling a repainting is difficult if you say it is a repaint it will be a slow seller.

If you don't say you may get it back most buyers are way careful!

If your back door is bubbling you should have got it real cheap.

An alarming number of them have bubbling top plates or back doors, some have both. The problem seems to be independent of serial!

If you repair them you could swap a back door from a parts one... But an intact and working door is a good price.

Ronald Moravec · Apr 27, 2016

CropDusterMan said:
I would not recommend painting it yourself...the bubbling you are experiencing was a problem with later M6's when they switched to zinc top plates...
had something to do with improper cleaning and prep prior to the final surfaces being applied...was a hit or miss deal. Often, if surfaces got scratched, humidity accelerated the issue.
A good working M6 in 8+ condition should fetch around
1200-1400 on Ebay, but painting one of these cameras, always ends up looking like crap...and you may actually hurt the value.

I've seen many and you'll end up having a harder time selling it...you may just want to sell it for a lower price and move on. As soon as I see a bubbling M6 listed on Ebay,
I immediately skip it, as there are many good specimens to choose from. Generally, Leica users are a finicky bunch, and not prone to accepting un-orthodox repairs...unless
you really know how to do high end refinishing work, I wouldn't waste your time.

Actually the zinc alloy was improperly prepared and contaminents were left in the mix. Over time the metal self destructs. No repair is possible.

m6 paint bubbling

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