Shutter cleaning question

I have a variety of older lenses for my 4x5's that have sticky shutters.
My question, is there a safe method of cleaning them at home without sending them out for cleaning? What types of solvents would be safe for this?
I would of course remove the elements. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Wade

Lighter fuel is fantastic. "Ronsonol" etc, or "Zippo" lighter fuel depending where you are... If you bath the shutter in lighter fuel, remember that it disolves every greasy deposits so you might have to drop a couple of "strategic" lubricant drops afterward.
Also remember that the lighter fuel disolves the grease, /then/ evaporates re-depositing it in place, so it's a good idea to have a "flow" going on, and if bathing doing at least two of them in clean fuel...

buze said:

Lighter fuel is fantastic. "Ronsonol" etc, or "Zippo" lighter fuel depending where you are... If you bath the shutter in lighter fuel, remember that it disolves every greasy deposits so you might have to drop a couple of "strategic" lubricant drops afterward.
Also remember that the lighter fuel disolves the grease, /then/ evaporates re-depositing it in place, so it's a good idea to have a "flow" going on, and if bathing doing at least two of them in clean fuel...

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While this is the widely-prescribed procedure, and while it works most of the time, it creates a whole slew of potential problems. As Buze correctly points out in his reply, the lighter fluid will redeposit the dirt and grime elsewhere, mostly in places where they would be extremely hard to clean out. I have cleaned, lubricated, and adjusted my shutters for years, and would not personally advise the dip-and-dunk-in-lighter fluid or even the pour-the-lighter-fluid-onto-the-shutter-innards method. The combination of dissolved grease and dirt migrate to to the tiniest spaces of the different shutter components and are likely to create problems later on.

Nothing beats a properly executed tear-down (to parts) and cleaning... this is true with clocks and watches as well as shutters. DIY solutions can sometimes work but sometimes simply delays the inevitable.

dMax - What is your method?

Jim Noel said:

dMax - What is your method?

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Jim,

Like anything mechanical that requires attention, I will first go through a systematic diagnostic to identify the source (or more likely, sources) of the problem. Much-neglected shutters often demonstrate multiple causes of stickiness. Case in point: Is it the slow-speed train that sticks? Is it the shutter blade assembly? Is it the shutter release assembly? Is it the shutter speed selector ring/cam?

I disassemble shutters completely into their major components and clean them separately, repeatedly. That way dirt and grease does not migrate. I neglected to add in my first reply that in using the lighter fluid immersion method, and despite repeated immersions, the dissolved grease will inevitably leave a sticky film on the shutter blades, as well as the leaves of the diaphragm/iris. One can conceivably clean the exposed areas, but not in their pivot points and seats. Needless to say, this will slow down the shutter action, if not cause obvious sticking.

Thanks for all the input. I have heard of a watch cleaning fluid that leaves no residue but can't remember what it is called. I may have to get some of Ed Romney's repair manuals for a thorough cleaning. Other than that there is a company near Los Angeles that does shutter reconditioning. The prices are reasonable but I had hoped to avoid too much extra expense.

I have had great success with 1-1-1 trichloroethane, a solvent found in electronic parts cleaners and automotive brake cleaners. It can be sprayed with force to flush the grime out of shutters (I do this outdoors with rubber gloves on). It dries quickly with no residue. You may have to lubricate some of the moving parts after, but some shutters work well dry.

This method is not as good as a quality disassembly and cleaning, but it has kept some of my shutters (many purchased as broken) going strong for years.

Do not use electronic parts cleaners that contain a lubricant (sold at Radio Shack, among others). These lubricants attract dirt and gum up the shutter quickly.