Any tips for reskinning my M4-P?

[Nick R.]

Does anyone have any tips for reskinning my new M4-P? I just received a new skin from Asi-Asaki.com (incredibly fast shipping, btw). Specifically, should I wet the adhesive with alcohol to give me more time to position the material on the camera, and should I remove and replace the body screws to sit atop the skin when I'm done? The onsite instructions are pretty sparse. Kinda like, "remove old skin; put on new," but maybe it's that simple.

 

[a.black]

I recently replaced mine. The alcohol method did not work at all (somebody else said that here also a while ago), and also if you're lucky :bang: you get some of that stuff in the camera itself.
I ultimately stuck to the knive, took some hours and my wrist hurt for two days, but its definetly safer.
For the screws, I left mine on, did not bother me at all. But you should take of the levers.
To remove the adhesive (after the cover is gone) the alcohol works fine. I used a cotton swap and a cloth, no problems at all.

cheers
adam

 

[Nick R.]

Thanks, guys. I'll try and post some before and after pics.

 

[rover]

Did you buy the new skin with or without the Red Leica Dot?

 

[Nick R.]

Good question, rover. I chose without. I've always thought that the detailing on the M4-P was a little too busy for my taste. Removing the dot will give it a sleeker look, I hope.

 

[Jon Goodman]

As already mentioned, lick it. Your saliva will take about 15 to 20 minutes to fully dry. As strange as it may sound, I sometimes lick the part of the camera where the piece will be applied as well. Hint: do this in private, or you might not be doing much French kissing for a while. You'll have an amazing luxury of time to move around and position the piece.
Jon

 

[rover]

Good question, rover. I chose without. I've always thought that the detailing on the M4-P was a little too busy for my taste. Removing the dot will give it a sleeker look, I hope.

I am with you on that.

 

[Kyle]

I've recovered an M3 and an M2. They are actually pretty easy. The hard part is removing the adhesive material left behind.

I did not have to remove any levers, I just followed the guide on cameraleather.com

http://www.cameraleather.com/leica_m/install.htm

 

[FrankS]

I replaced the skin on my m2 twice, and my M3 once, all with Aki Asahi's leather kits. I used the rubbing alcohol trick of keeping the adhesive from sticking too quickly and it worked well. I didn't remove any levers. After the new leather was on, I loosened the screws on the front and retightened them one at a time to sit on top of the new leather cover. It's only scary the first time you do it.

 

[Shac]

I relaced my M2 and IIC skins with Aki Ashi products. The M2 I used alcohol, to wet the cover and it went OK but Mr. AA said I should not have used it. I didnlt remobve any screws or levers (M2 button rewind - so a tad easier). THe IIC - not wetting - went on fine and then I backed off the screws after the cover was on. Both went really well.
Good luck
David

 

[Nick R.]

I was going to post some before pictures last night but I couldn't get back on the site. I'll try again tonight. I'll probably replace the cover this weekend after I've digested all these helpful tips.