does anyone know how to clean the rust off a lens chuck?

[John Koehrer]

Instead of oil (which can attract dust then get messy) why not use a dry lube such as molybdenum disulfide?

You're not lubricating it just protecting the metal from rusting.

[Steven Tribe]

There is a thread in DIY (last post 2012) about repairing the the Universal iris clamp.

[phillip2446]

hi jac. what kind of oil do you use to on the blades? thanks
phil

[Jac@stafford.net]

hi jac. what kind of oil do you use to on the blades? thanks
phil

Because I had so much at hand, I used Mobil 1 5W-something synthetic and then blew the blades dry with compressed air. I would never do the same to a lens iris. The universal iris lens mount is far more robust.

[phillip2446]

so far....
i soaked the iris in CLR to remove the majority of the rust of the blades.
i then washed off the CLR with water (which was not the best move) then i let it air dry which caused the gears to move more clunky so i knew something was wrong.
the metal turned white which looked like it corroded in a different way
i am soaking the iris in wd-40 for about 24 hours then i am suppose to blow off the wd-40.
i don't have a tank with an air gun. can i use a can of compressed air for this.
then i am suppose to apply some sewing machine oil on the gears and blades then blow dry that off too.
hoping this is correct.

[Steven Tribe]

I would suggest you dismantle the iris - after this treatment, the turning gears could do with some fresh blobs of grease.

[Jac@stafford.net]

I would suggest you dismantle the iris - after this treatment, the turning gears could do with some fresh blobs of grease.

I agree but some of them, mine included, are riveted. Not everybody has a drill press with rivet grinder.

Or am missing something that should be obvious?

[Steven Tribe]

All 5 I have serviced had a pressure plate system on the leaves, that held it together. This was held in place by 4 screws that had washers that fitted into recesses in the lens board mounting lugs.

[sun of sand]

Naval jelly

I make my own using a drink thickener Simply Thick and Driveway acid etch precleaner stuff
concentrated Phosphoric acid and xanthum gum ..I will add some photo-flo to it after mixing it to a thickness appropriate for the job

It won't eat the metal to any degree even after a couple days
Areas where it was rusted will turn black protecting from future rust ..a little. Enough for this sort of thing.

I'd naval jelly for 5 hours then rinse in baking soda solution then distilled water then alcohol then blow it out and dry with cloth then blow again with a hairdryer

[phillip2446]

lots of neat tricks for cleaning this. thanks.