Restoration Tips
Take pictures!
If you’ve never taken a camera apart, taking pictures every step of the way will help when it’s time to put everything back together. You can find videos and service manuals for some vintage cameras to help but I’ve had a few times where this was not the case and I had to disassemble a like-model camera to figure out the puzzle.
2. Do not remove the winding knob
Some cameras have very simple winding knobs, others having tiny bearings and springs inside that fall out and are extremely difficult to get back in.
3. Radioactivity
Some camera lenses were made with radioactive material. While only mildly radioactive, it’s probably better to not take those cameras apart. Do your research.
I am an Amazon associate and clicking on an image of these items will link you to the product on Amazon.
Products that help with restoration:
Dental tools
These are like the jack of all trade’s when it comes to working on cameras for me. I recommend having them on hand to get into small spaces.
Hobby Pliers
Another tool that does it all when handling tiny camera parts.
Fret Pliers
This was a tool I came to find on my own that helps with yanking out stubborn screws without damaging the surface of a camera. The end bit allows you to scoop underneath the screw head and get a better grip unlike pliers that tend to slip.
Precision Screwdriver Kit
This is 100% necessary for assembling and disassembling cameras.
91% Isopropyl Alcohol
You need this. It’s ideal for cleaning tough spots on cameras.
Spray Paint
If you find yourself having to remove paint because it’s too badly damaged or rusted, you’ll probably want to replicate what it looked like originally. Acrylic Lacquer spray paint hardens to a smooth shiny finish and will make your camera look great. Please wear the proper PPE when using it though.
Lacquer Paint
Like the above, this lacquer paint is awesome for small touch-ups to slightly damaged paint on a camera. Additionally, I recommended learning about wet sanding.
Leather Paint
I’ve only used Angelus Acrylic Leather Paint and it’s perfect for restoring color back to vintage box cameras or any other camera with a leather wrap.
WD-40
You know what it does and it can be very helpful in removing screws.
WD-40 Rust Remover Soak
You need rust gone without elbow grease? This stuff is incredible. Heads up, don’t leave a piece in this soak for more than 24 hours as this will begin to eat away at the metal.
Shoe Polish
Most vintage cameras come wrapped in black leather, some in brown, and others in a variety of bright colors. I’ve noticed when cleaning them, the leather tends to lose its shine, so the answer for me is shoe polish. It can make the oldest camera look brand new.
Dremel Tool
If you’re serious about restoring your cameras, you need one. From efficiently polishing metal to cleaning detailed surfaces, the Dremel Tool is a game changer.
Flitz or Brasso
Both of these are metal polishes and they are miracle workers when it comes to bringing the shine back to the metal features on any camera. I also found that they can be extremely helpful in bring the shine back to bakelite cameras.
Meguiar’s Compound and Polish
If the paint finish or chrome plate on your camera is looking dull, I found this combo works wonders on restoring the shine. I recommend learning about polishing, especially utilizing the Dremel tool here, before you give it a go because you can damage the finish if done incorrectly.