Refurbishing 9x12cm plate holders (so far)

blee1996 said:

Just got a stash of Voigtlander and Kodak 9x12 holders with sheet film sheath! Actually the Kodak holders fit better with the Voigtlander Bergheil than the Voigtlander one.

Most of them are dusty and slightly rusty. Therefore some dark slides are difficult to move. I guess I need some lightly abrasive material to clean them. Any suggestions?

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Scotchbrite pads work pretty good and don't shed grit like sandpaper...

Kino said:

Scotchbrite pads work pretty good and don't shed grit like sandpaper...

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Thank you, that sounds like a good fit.

blee1996 said:

I guess I need some lightly abrasive material to clean them. Any suggestions?

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Vinegar as rust remover and steel wool/Scotch-Brite. Cooking vinegar might be too dilute so I used higher concentration sold in household chemistry aisles in supermarkets. Paint removal gels are available from specialized shops for motorists (Super Cheap Auto, Autobarn and Repco in Australia). As @Kino suggested apply generously, wrap the part in cling wrap/ziplock and let it sit for some time. This stuff is nasty, use with care and dispose of properly.

moggi1964 said:

Yep! I had to use the 3d printed Avus back for my Bergheil which dates from the 1920's.

I would second the recommendation to look at Cerakote as a good option.

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My Bergheil wants a thick plate holder, maybe 4 mm thick. I don't really have an Avus or an Avus plate holder for comparison, but the 3-D printer adapter from thingiverse (that ekech posted) wouldn't work in my Bergheil. My assumption was that the real plate holders (normalfalz) fitted into one of the protrusions on the Avus (the printed adapter was so thin) but for my Bergheil the full width of the plate holder went in. I have some plate holders that have just a single, thin fold on the edge, and I've contemplated glueing a thin strip of wood on the edge to make them thicker and they would probably work in the Bergheil. A project for the future, I still use 4x5 film in the camera.