Re: Help in restoring Deardorff
I had the same problem with a Gundlach-Manhattan Criterion View - the nickel plating is very thin and easily worn off by metal polishes. I used alcohol - called white spirit over here - like a previous post suggests. That cleaned off the worst dirt without affecting what was left of the nickel plate. WD40 - not sure if that's available outwith UK - is pretty good too.
Re: Help in restoring Deardorff
I would say NO to steel wool(too coarse in my mind, even 0000) and likewise NO to WD-40 or other oily treatments(oil may be bad for the wood, and solvents may attack the Lacquer).
A soft cloth dampened with a little water will take off grime, alcohol will slowly attack the lacquer finish.
If you MUST make it more shiny, you can carefully remove the hardware from the camera and polish it, I use a little BRASSO and rub gently, as stated before, that Nickel plating can disappear surprisingly quickly. Make sure you clean all the polish off the parts and dry them before re-installing. (I wash the parts in hot soapy water and wipe dry with soft cloth)
NEVER try to use metal polishes without removing the hardware from the camera, metal polish attacks the wood.
Re: Help in restoring Deardorff
Thank you all for the tips and advice. I may just clean up the wood and leave well enough alone. I got it to use not show off!
J
Re: Help in restoring Deardorff
Quote:
Originally Posted by
durr3
Thank you all for the tips and advice. I may just clean up the wood and leave well enough alone. I got it to use not show off!
J
That's a liberating attitude. You will not fret when you add new dings to it.
Enjoy!
Re: Help in restoring Deardorff
Small nickel plating kits are available from sellers such as Caswell. I have one, it works very well on small parts and is easy to use.