Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12
Results 11 to 15 of 15

Thread: Help in restoring Deardorff

  1. #11
    Milonian's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Scotland
    Posts
    138

    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.

  2. #12
    Tracy Storer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2001
    Location
    Oakland CA
    Posts
    1,048

    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.
    Tracy Storer
    Mammoth Camera Company tm
    www.mammothcamera.com

  3. #13

    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Mississippi, USA
    Posts
    124

    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

  4. #14
    Jac@stafford.net's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Winona, Minnesota
    Posts
    5,413

    Re: Help in restoring Deardorff

    Quote Originally Posted by durr3 View Post
    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!

  5. #15

    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Bethel, Maine
    Posts
    163

    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.
    Thread killer.

Similar Threads

  1. Restoring a photograph
    By Fred L in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 3-Jun-2015, 17:03
  2. restoring old negatives
    By ronald lamarsh in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 21-Sep-2014, 18:33
  3. Looking for advice on restoring my Deardorff
    By Willem.B in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 27-Sep-2013, 08:35
  4. Restoring a Deardorff 8x10
    By Scott Atkinson in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 21-Nov-2001, 15:07
  5. Recommendations on restoring Deardorff 8x10
    By David R Munson in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 28-Oct-2000, 22:14

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •