cleaning dingy markings on lens barrel

[PatrickONeill]

I got a nice 35mm summicron v3 this weekend. and it looks minty fresh except for the white and yellow markings on the barrel look a bit dull.

I want to clean it and brighten the markings up for better legibility and aesthetics.

suggestions?

 

[250swb]

Naphtha would be my first choice. Its otherwise known as lighter fuel, put a little on a cloth or cotton bud and rub into the markings.

Steve

 

[nobbylon]

go carefully with lighter fluid as it starts to remove the infill if you rub too much

 

[sc_rufctr]

You could try some "Isopropyl Alcohol"... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isopropyl_alcohol

It shouldn't dissolve the paint in the engravings but test it somewhere inconspicuous just to be sure.
I use it at work almost every day for cleaning eclectically contacts in laptops and PCs.

 

[Sparrow]

Lens cleaning fluid and a child's toothbrush seems to get most stuff off, I favour the Barbie princess one

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Barbie brand accessories are the best for camera care and repair.

I use only Barbie brand sun-catcher suction cups to pull the elements out of Summicrons and other lenses.

Go lightly with any cleaning fluid on the paint- it will come out completely.

 

[PatrickONeill]

I went at it with a damp microfiber cloth and got it 80% there. then tried the soft toothbrush method and I knocked out both of the f2 marks on the DOF scale. 😱

so... any experiences with a Lacquer-Stik Paintstick Kit? 😛