How would one do this (remove all paint + polish)?

[fferreres]

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www.ebay.com

I looks really well done - it also probably also increases reflections, but it's the first time I see it done so well.

 

[Aoi Usagi]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/255546133644?hash=item3b7fbc8c8c:g:i5sAAOSwDz9ihmvp

I looks really well done - it also probably also increases reflections, but it's the first time I see it done so well.

There are specific chemicals that can remove paint without damaging the underlying metal, such as Aircraft paint remover. That being said it probably wasn't an easy job as all parts need to be disassembled, paint removed and then all markings need to be repainted (such as distance markings and aperture markings). The bare metal may need to be clear coated depending on the metal. From the photos, It looks to be a beautifully done lens.

 

[ProfHankD]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/255546133644?hash=item3b7fbc8c8c:g:i5sAAOSwDz9ihmvp

I looks really well done - it also probably also increases reflections, but it's the first time I see it done so well.

That is an exceptionally pretty result!

Usually, this sort of treatment is given to lenses that are not in the best external shape. I think this one looks so good partly because it probably wasn't that bad to begin with. Most seem to have undergone a lot of buffing to remove scratches, etc., also removing all sharp edges in the process. This one seems to be done with skillful subtlety.

Basically, it's not all that hard to strip and refinish once the lens has been disassembled. There are various industrial-strength methods (i.e., involving chemicals you don't want in your house) for removing coatings, and after some manual cleaning, tuning of the surfaces, and polishing, it's easy to re-fill the markings with fresh paint. Some lens barrels are simply lacquered, and removing yellowed lacquer is quite easy.

PS: Clean raw aluminum usually doesn't stay pretty forever, which is why lacquer was often applied.

 

[fferreres]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/255546133644?hash=item3b7fbc8c8c:g:i5sAAOSwDz9ihmvp

I looks really well done - it also probably also increases reflections, but it's the first time I see it done so well.

That is an exceptionally pretty result!

Usually, this sort of treatment is given to lenses that are not in the best external shape. I think this one looks so good partly because it probably wasn't that bad to begin with. Most seem to have undergone a lot of buffing to remove scratches, etc., also removing all sharp edges in the process. This one seems to be done with skillful subtlety.

Basically, it's not all that hard to strip and refinish once the lens has been disassembled. There are various industrial-strength methods (i.e., involving chemicals you don't want in your house) for removing coatings, and after some manual cleaning, tuning of the surfaces, and polishing, it's easy to re-fill the markings with fresh paint. Some lens barrels are simply lacquered, and removing yellowed lacquer is quite easy.

PS: Clean raw aluminum usually doesn't stay pretty forever, which is why lacquer was often applied.

I was really surprised. it's great to know not something advised to do at home, have pets and kids, and would do a mess. I though someone had done that job out of real aesthetic appreciation, and it's the best ever I see - and I've seen a lot of them.

 

[petrochemist]

It depends on what finish has been used. Modern items can have a dye added during anodising and I suspect normal paint stripping materials wont be very effective on these.

Soaking in Xylene, Acetone, Methylene Chloride or NMP all stand a good chance with paints as they've all stripped paints at work when spilt accidentally. Of course the lens will need to be fully stripped first - plastics can be dissolved by strong solvents.

 

[fferreres]

It depends on what finish has been used. Modern items can have a dye added during anodising and I suspect normal paint stripping materials wont be very effective on these.

Soaking in Xylene, Acetone, Methylene Chloride or NMP all stand a good chance with paints as they've all stripped paints at work when spilt accidentally. Of course the lens will need to be fully stripped first - plastics can be dissolved by strong solvents.

Thanks. I though the lens looked really cool. I wonder how some other black lenses would look when stripped and polished correctly. I am also glad most my old Leica are silver. It has some appeal to see the actual material instead of paint.

 

[R Liewenberger]

That reminds me of the professional work of Gordon Friedrich's 'OM-Labor' in Frankfurt/Germany. Mainly it's about Olympus OM lenses and OM cameras, but if you want your Leica gold-plated, not sure, but I could imagine they can do that, too. I think they usually call their results 'Customizing version'.


Picture source/Copyright: https://olypedia.de/images/f/fb/Z_50_1.2_OM-Labor.jpg

https://olypedia.de/index.php?title=OM-Labor

https://www.om-labor.de/

Liewenberger

Jun 24, 07:20 GMT

 

[ProfHankD]

That reminds me of the professional work of Gordon Friedrich's 'OM-Labor' in Frankfurt/Germany. ...

https://www.om-labor.de/

Very impressive. These folks seem to know what they're doing and have the right equipment and skill to do it very well. However, they do seem a little too willing to make permanent changes. It seems to be more "bling-ification" than precision restoration.

 

[R Liewenberger]

That reminds me of the professional work of Gordon Friedrich's 'OM-Labor' in Frankfurt/Germany. ...

https://www.om-labor.de/

Very impressive. These folks seem to know what they're doing and have the right equipment and skill to do it very well. However, they do seem a little too willing to make permanent changes. It seems to be more "bling-ification" than precision restoration.

Sorry, ProfHankD, but I don't agree (with your sentence above which I have changed to bold).

This 'Customizing' of lenses and bodies is only one aspect of their work; the main part is about precision repair/restoration of old OM lenses and bodies.

Lenses:

"Full service incl. cleaning of mechanics, aperture and lens system, renewal of greases, adjustment, 2 years warranty. Repair of special defects like separation, shock or fall damage on request. All prices incl. VAT plus shipping." https://www.om-labor.de/service/preisliste-objektive/

Bodies:

"Full service incl. cleaning of mechanics, viewfinder, prism, mirror; renewal of light seals; adjustment; 1 year warranty. (Repair of special defects like glass pitting, malfunction of electronics, shock or fall damage on request). All prices incl. VAT plus shipping." https://www.om-labor.de/service/preisliste-kameras/

Two years of warranty for lenses, one year for bodies, that tells something about the precision/quality of their work!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Customizing:

"We individualize OM system components according to customer requirements: finishes in gold, silver, chrome, titanium, brass, aluminum (...) with special leathering also in genuine leather.

We produce small series in OM lab custom finish. Zuiko lenses in polished aluminum. OM cameras in chrome, brass or titanium. Available among others here in the store.

Professional adaptation of OM-Zuiko lenses to digital photo and film standards." [e.g. changing an Oly OM mount lens to Nikon F mount] https://www.om-labor.de/customizing/

Liewenberger

Jun 24, 21:32 GMT

 

[fferreres]

That reminds me of the professional work of Gordon Friedrich's 'OM-Labor' in Frankfurt/Germany. Mainly it's about Olympus OM lenses and OM cameras, but if you want your Leica gold-plated, not sure, but I could imagine they can do that, too. I think they usually call their results 'Customizing version'.


Picture source/Copyright: https://olypedia.de/images/f/fb/Z_50_1.2_OM-Labor.jpg

https://olypedia.de/index.php?title=OM-Labor

https://www.om-labor.de/

Liewenberger

Jun 24, 07:20 GMT

Wow, this is amazing. If I get rich or win the lottery, I'd ask them to convert to silver one entire set of Rollei QBMs, should they agree to do it, fully restore every aspect of operation as well. Why the Rollei lenses? I never liked the black design. Unfortunately, internals are flimsy, especially the aperture, AM/MF, but if they have these capabilities I am sure they can handle this. The Rollei's have a great balance of being less than perfect, but lovely in rendering - the best balance in modern/old, tied with RE Topcor sets.

 

[trungtran]

That is a great result.

I saw a while back, someone that did Canon FL lenses using sandblasting to take paint off.

 

[East Gothia]

My own personal taste when restoring really old stuff is not to overdo the polishing. Antique equipment made of brass is too easy to get to a shiny mirrorlike surface. This example is from 1862 and had lots of dirt, patina and was in a non-working condition when I found it. Focusing rack totally stuck and all metall barrels deformed. All parts restored but the surface was left with a satin suface and deeply corroded areas cleaned but the pitting can still be seen. After all it's 160 years old, a Voigtländer (Petzwal) portrait lens type 1A. Inside there are lots of traces from the adjustments (filing, scraping) made in production (pre Henry Ford production). I have cleaned everything but left all the marks from those who made it. Now it is fully functional and waits for the mechanical interface from 1862 to 2022 (Canon R6).

What will your cameras and lenses look like in 2182?

 

[fferreres]

My brass ones hopefully like your do now! I think most electronic will just fail and be futile. I think only the optics will survive.