Painting a lens

I have a spare 127mm Mamiya Sekor C lens for my RB67 that needs work. The painted coating on the outside of the rear element is flaking off inside the barrel and as this is a spare lens, and even in good shape they sell for peanuts, I'm thinking its a good candidate for my first lens dis assembly/repair procedure. I need to order or make some lens wrenches I guess but what about the paint? What can I use? Those of you who may have opened the back side of one of these lenses is there anything to be aware of? I wont need to tinker with the shutter, just remove, clean, and repaint the rear element.

Thanks,

Ed

Kodak used to supply a matte black lacquer. I would recommend something similar as it dries fast and can be removed easily. I have repaired items using a brush and just spraying aerosol lacquer in to a container. I would suggest avoiding enamels which would be more difficult to remove due to oil in them which polymerizes.

Looking at the lens again its a non C version, which means its not coated. Any problem with using tape of some sort to mask the surface of the lens so I can spray it, or is a brush better?

Thanks for the info Richard,

Ed

EdColorado said:

Looking at the lens again its a non C version, which means its not coated. Any problem with using tape of some sort to mask the surface of the lens so I can spray it, or is a brush better?

Thanks for the info Richard,

Ed

Click to expand...

Ed, ALL lenses made during the lifespan of your camera were coated. There may be a difference between multi-coated, and single-coated, but your lens is coated.

I just use Tamiya gloss black. Spray can from the hobby emporium.
Brushing lacquer or enamel leaves brush marks(no surprise).
Never had a problem using masking tape to cover the surfaces but blue painters tape is safer.
The paint needs to be applied in very light coats and I back the spray can off & just mist it on. Usually takes three or four coats to get it covered. Never had flaking problems with it but anything on the edge of the glass is delicate & will scratch.