Bellows light leak fixed.

G

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My late Father’s Super Ikonta 513/2 folder had developed two pin holes in the corners. Tried to get a new set of bellows but it’s basically not doable. A repair man suggested using this stuff, he thins it down and allows it to be absorbed into the material inside the bellows, using three or four applications.
It works beautifully, it has been absorbed and has created a complete light cover over the pin holes that were there.
So here is the stuff if anyone has a similar issue now or down the road.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Plasti-Dip...MI9P7Fq8393wIVDeDICh3lYgb2EAQYAiABEgII5vD_BwE
 
It thins with Naptha or Xylene. I honestly thought Acetone or Laquer thinner would work but neither did anything, so I went out and got the Xylene.
Used a straw to get a small amount in a plastic cup, then used a toothpick to dip and drop the Plasti dip into it and mixed with it. Applied with a small watercolor paint brush. Allowed 45 minutes between each application and each layer was a fresh mix, did four in total.
Tested on a paper towel, the stuff soaks into the fibers, then the solvent evaporates and it leaves a complete seal after two layers. Great stuff but if not thinned down it would probably not soak in. Left it overnight before closing the bellows and testing.
It’s saved me a few hundred dollars for sure. I put a bit on the outside leather but I doubt it will stick. The repair chap said just do the inside.
 
I find it hard to believe that automobile paint will work on a camera bellows, that stuff is not designed to be flexed, so it’s going to crack no matter what.
 
Of course auto paint is flexible enough to work. Multiple layers. have you not seen cars with dents where the paint wasn't broken? I certainly have. I've used it on multiple bellows, it works. "Plasti-dip" is just thickened, low-bonding paint anyway, so thinning it out = basically regular paint.
 
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