removing battery cap from Spotmatic

David Lyga · Mar 2, 2017

This is one of the more difficult cameras to work with when attempting to remove a corroded battery cap. The effluent from that tiny, corrupted battery acts as if it is Crazy Glue. I have tried everything, even drilling tiny holes and trying to 'spanner' it loose. Any suggestions? - David Lyga

GregW · Mar 2, 2017

Swap a bottom plate assembly from a donor camera, they go for fairly cheap on ebay b/c of the mirror sticking problem.

David Lyga · Mar 2, 2017

I know and I could do that as I have some parts. But I was wondering if there was some solvent, something (I have even boiled that damn plate) that would help. - David Lyga

GregW · Mar 2, 2017

Do you have any PB Blaster? It's worked for me on stuff that seemed to be welded. Agfa green lube etc.. http://blastercorp.com/PB-Blaster-Penetrant-remove-stuck-parts-spray

Fixcinater · Mar 2, 2017

Apologies if this has been tried and just wasn't obvious to me: Have you tried taking the entire plate off and soaking it in vinegar?

resummerfield · Mar 2, 2017

Fixcinater said:
Apologies if this has been tried and just wasn't obvious to me: Have you tried taking the entire plate off and soaking it in vinegar?

That's what I did. After a day soaking, I took the bottom plate and carefully embedded it in a foam block (to avoid distortion while applying torque to the cap), and gripped a coin (a nickel works well for size) with a pair of pliers. Then apply the torque. When I detected a little movement, I re-soaked the bottom plate another 24 hours, and repeated the process. It worked!

David Lyga · Mar 3, 2017

resummerfield said:
That's what I did. After a day soaking, I took the bottom plate and carefully embedded it in a foam block (to avoid distortion while applying torque to the cap), and gripped a coin (a nickel works well for size) with a pair of pliers. Then apply the torque. When I detected a little movement, I re-soaked the bottom plate another 24 hours, and repeated the process. It worked!

Not vinegar but hot, soapy water. I might try this. - David Lyga

David Lyga · Mar 3, 2017

GregW said:
Do you have any PB Blaster? It's worked for me on stuff that seemed to be welded. Agfa green lube etc.. http://blastercorp.com/PB-Blaster-Penetrant-remove-stuck-parts-spray

This seems to be an interesting product. (I tried naval jelly but that did not work.) - David Lyga

flavio81 · Mar 3, 2017

David Lyga said:
Not vinegar but hot, soapy water. I might try this. - David Lyga

David,

I would suggest soaking in oxalid acid (it is sold as powder and is what thve bicycle restorarion people use for removing rust). You let it there for some hours until all rust is removed.

Vinegar is not very strong. Perhaps acetic acid could do.

David Lyga · Mar 3, 2017

Thank you, flavio81.

benjiboy · Mar 3, 2017

http://cleaning.lovetoknow.com/Clean_Alkaline_Battery_Corrosion

flavio81 · Mar 3, 2017

You're welcome.

Here's a guide where they show the results:

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/tech-using-oxalic-acid-to-remove-rust.248198/

paul ron · Mar 3, 2017

WEAR SURGICAL GLOVES!

your stop bath concentrate is about the best for leaked battery crud.
baking soda can be used after cleanup to neutralize the acid.

its a pain in the butt for sure.

AgX · Mar 3, 2017

flavio81 said:
I would suggest soaking in oxalid acid (it is sold as powder and is what thve bicycle restorarion people use for removing rust). You let it there for some hours until all rust is removed.

What would be the use of Oxalic Acid?
It is used to dissolve rust (though there are better means to handle rusted iron/steel).

But rusted iron is not the typical issue whith leaked batteries in cameras.

flavio81 · Mar 3, 2017

AgX said:
What would be the use of Oxalic Acid?
It is used to dissolve rust (though there are better means to handle rusted iron/steel).

But rusted iron is not the typical issue whith leaked batteries in cameras.

Allright; i just thought it was the rust caused by oxidation what prevented the battery cap from turning.

It will have to be acetic acid as Paul Ron suggests... ?

paul ron · Mar 3, 2017

any acid will work.

removing battery cap from Spotmatic

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