stillshunter
unlearning digital habits
OK picked up a promising looking XA recently (complete in presentation box, with A11 flash, 2 instruction booklets and the original receipt 
).
Was afraid at first, as the shutter seemed stuck and the film wouldn't advance, until I read some threads on here, 2 x SR44s later and the these issues are resolved and we're ready for the next phase....replacing the seals - great instructions available on-line (just need to find the adhesive-backed felt somewhere in Canberra :bang.
So while I have her under the spotlight I'd like to give her outside a clean as she's pretty grimy. Has a black caked residue over the body - like the plastic has baked? Not sure what it is? I tried a once over with lens cleaner but that did zero. So I wondered what would be the best bet that might lift the grime but not erode the plastic?
). Was afraid at first, as the shutter seemed stuck and the film wouldn't advance, until I read some threads on here, 2 x SR44s later and the these issues are resolved and we're ready for the next phase....replacing the seals - great instructions available on-line (just need to find the adhesive-backed felt somewhere in Canberra :bang
. So while I have her under the spotlight I'd like to give her outside a clean as she's pretty grimy. Has a black caked residue over the body - like the plastic has baked? Not sure what it is?
I tried a once over with lens cleaner but that did zero. So I wondered what would be the best bet that might lift the grime but not erode the plastic?wblynch
Well-known
Maybe some plastic conditioner like used for autos would help? A popular brand here is called, "Armor-All"
sahe69
Well-known
Try microfibre cloth plus some mild non-abrasive detergent.
agour
Established
lighter fluid should do the trick! put some on a rag and rub away.
also, the sliding part is pretty easy to remove. There is a thread on kyphoto with exact instructions on which screws to remove, in which order. Taking it off might help getting access to more tight spots to clean!
also, the sliding part is pretty easy to remove. There is a thread on kyphoto with exact instructions on which screws to remove, in which order. Taking it off might help getting access to more tight spots to clean!
daninjc
Well-known
I had the same problem with a X2A, before changing the light seals. The black grimy stuff were probably the baked old light seals.
I cleaned it with lighter fluid (other solvents like alcohol would probably be good too). Took a while but results were perfect! Hope this helps!!
I cleaned it with lighter fluid (other solvents like alcohol would probably be good too). Took a while but results were perfect! Hope this helps!!
Bingley
Veteran
I just replaced the seals in one of my XAs, using the lightseal kit and instructions from Jon Goodman. He's a great guy to deal w/, and the kits are inexpensive and highly recommended with detailed instructions. For a solvent to remove the old seals and other grimy stuff, I used denatured alcohol, and it worked fine. Jon's kits come w/ a bamboo tool that is handy in removing grime and in getting old seal material out from some of the hard to reach parts (using a small piece of paper towel wetted in solvent).
pagpow
Well-known
I would stay away from Armor-All. While I am not familiar with its use, I have asked that car washes not use it in my car after reading Consumer reports and internet warnings that it decreases the life of objects it is used on.
Giorgio
Giorgio