Cleaning/Re-labeling Canon Rangefinder Shutter Speed Dial

[mtnbkr]

My Canon VL2 and my previous VT both had main shutter speed dials that are impossible for me to read without bright light and my reading glasses, requiring me to set shutter speed by feel. Is there some way to brighten the label so it's easier to read? A fine tip paint pen would be the obvious method, but the labels are very fine, so I'm concerned I wouldn't be able to do it cleanly. Has anyone fixed these dials and how did you do it?

Chris

 

[JeffS7444]

Sure, there's really no special technique needed for freshening-up paint-filled engravings: I'd take an old toothbrush, moistened with naptha, if you've got some on hand. Just want the bristles to be damp, not so wet that liquid dribbles into the camera's innards. Scrub the affected areas, and removing accumulated grime might brighten things up sufficiently. If not, then some fresh paint is needed: Work the paint into the engraved areas, and when it's semi-dry, wipe away excess with a cloth or whatever's handy.

 

[TenEleven]

You can also take off the shutter button off it's held in by three very small grub screws around its collar. I usually just undo them enough so it will lift free.
Then you can clean it to your hearts content without worries, and also - if needed - apply some fresh enamel paint. Just paint it on white then after waiting 10-25 seconds wipe off the excess by wiping the top gently with no pressure(!) using a naptha moistened wipe.

That said even with good eyesight these are not the easiest shutter speed dials to read since it's all pretty bunched together from 1/250 upwards...

 

[mtnbkr]

Thanks both. I hadn't considered naptha.

Also, the method of painting you both described sounds like it would work. I was looking at it and trying to figure out how I would refill the engravings without getting paint all over the dial and it sounds like I can merely wipe away excess after it starts to dry/cure. If that's the case, then I will have to look into doing a refresh myself.

Thanks!

Chris

 

[mtnbkr]

You guys got me thinking in the right direction and I remembered engraving fill-in lacquer sticks! I don't know why that didn't occur to me before now.

Chris

 

[splitimageview]

yes, paint sticks:

Amazon.com: La-Co Industries MRK51123-La-co Industries Inc Lacquer-Stik Fill-in Paint Marker : Arts, Crafts & Sewing

Amazon.com: La-Co Industries MRK51123-La-co Industries Inc Lacquer-Stik Fill-in Paint Marker : Arts, Crafts & Sewing

amzn.to

 

[mtnbkr]

yes, paint sticks:

Amazon.com: La-Co Industries MRK51123-La-co Industries Inc Lacquer-Stik Fill-in Paint Marker : Arts, Crafts & Sewing

Amazon.com: La-Co Industries MRK51123-La-co Industries Inc Lacquer-Stik Fill-in Paint Marker : Arts, Crafts & Sewing

amzn.to

Yup. Got a white one on order.

I'll need an orange one as well, but we'll go with white for now. If that's successful, I can get an orange one for the rest of the dial.

I tried cleaning with some naphtha, and it did improve things a bit, but hopefully the paint stick will make it "pop".

Chris

 

[Sanug]

I can recommend these sticks. They work very well for replacing paint in filled engravings. I did it with the shutter speed dial of my Canon 7s.

 

[mtnbkr]

I can recommend these sticks. They work very well for replacing paint in filled engravings. I did it with the shutter speed dial of my Canon 7s.

Thanks, that looks really nice.

Chris