I recently acquired a Voigtlander & Sohn petzval which had spent nearly the last century attached to a glass slide projector, and the last 50+ years of that in a garage or attic. I plan to return it to photographic duty if I can, but need some advice on how best to clean it up.
Link to image of lens body with inscription: https://jw-sheldon.com/wp-content/up...IMGP3675-w.jpg
One major modification was made to the barrel of the lens, probably when it was mounted to the projector: the focusing knob was removed and a makeshift twist-to-focus mechanism was made by soldering a post to the inner barrel which rides in a slot cut in the outer barrel. The interior of the inner barrel was also lined with something that looks like leatherette (maybe to minimize light leaks or internal reflections?), and that lining has fallen off and curled up inside the barrel of the lens.
Link to image looking into lens barrel, showing failed interior lining: https://jw-sheldon.com/wp-content/up...IMGP3714-w.jpg
The glass is quite dusty, as one would expect from years in storage, and I can't use it with a large lump of material in the middle of the lens. Does anyone have advice on relatively safe ways to remove the front or rear elements from lenses of this vintage and design? Anything I should avoid using when cleaning the glass?
I'd also like to clean up the brass a bit to get rid of some of the gunk and the stains while leaving the original coatings and patina where I can. Any advice for what products to use or to avoid?
I made a short video about the lens and the projector it was attached to, showing me removing the lens from the projector:
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