Hello everyone,
Well I've just taken my first step into the world of large format. I was walking through a street market in Bath a few weeks ago and spotted a pile of wood, brass, and leather on a stall. It was a half-plate Sanderson Tropical, and if a camera could weep... it looked very sorry for itself! Much to the delight of my wife, I took it home and began researching to find out more about it. One thing I discovered was that the more I learnt, the less I knew. I feel sure I'm going to have a number of questions throughout this project, so if I may, I'm going to begin by asking you for advice about the brasswork.
The fittings on this camera are solid brass rather than plated. Having removed the front struts I cleaned off the old brown shellac coating with methylated spirits, and gave it a good polish with Brasso (I'm in the UK, so I don't know whether that tradename has travelled far?) My question is this: having cleaned the struts, how would you recommend I finish them?
I bought a bottle of 'white polish' for the woodwork - this seems to be a more modern shellac-based French polish, so would that be appropriate? I have also seen references to Renaissance wax or tung oil. I'm not sure about the former. It's great for use in museums where objects are left on display, but I like to use my cameras even if only occasionally. I know lacquer is also a possibility, but I'm looking for durability without a thick coating that will impede the movement of the struts and the other bits I have yet to clean. What would you guys use for a camera that is nearly 110 years old?
Finally, and in the spirit of give and take - have you ever cleaned brass only to be left with dark blotches that your polish won't remove? I'm told these stains are a type of corrosion that results from the proportions of zinc and copper in the alloy. The somewhat unexpected way to remove them is tomato ketchup..! Clean the item with your chosen metal polish (Brasso or whatever) and apply ketchup liberally to the stains. Leave it for a few hours and you will find it goes a horrible dirty green - this does not sit well with the 'normal' tomato smell that remains! Wash it off, dry thoroughly, and give it another polish. You will be amazed at the result - and if you're anything like me, a bit concerned about what ketchup does to your insides next time you have a bag of chips!!!
Thanks in advance for your help.
Roger
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