Dealing with worn vulcanite

[Dez]

Like Leicas, old Feds and Zorkis used a vulcanite covering. Unlike Leicas, they used crappy vulcanite that only has the black colour on the surface, and therefore turns grey when it gets worn. This turns out to be easy to fix. The worn surface is quite porous, and soaks up black leather dye very well. This can be found at leatherworking stores such as Tandy Leather in the US. Dab it on lightly with a small cotton ball or folded over piece of tissue, rather than rubbing it on to keep as much as possible on the high points. After a few seconds blot it with a paper towel to remove any excess. The colour doesn't come off, and the vulcanite looks like new.

Now if only the lousy flaky paint were as easy.............

Cheers,
Dez

 

[payasam]

The covering on my Zorki 1C was faded, but I didn't bother about that because the camera had no strap lugs and was always in the bottom part of its case. Except for colour, I wouldn't call it "crappy vulcanite": maybe because I've seen the coverings of screw Leicas falling apart.

 

[daveisbest]

I used a black permanent marker pen to colour in the grey/brown worn bits of my Zorki's vulcanite. Doesn't cover them up completely, but it's enough to stop them from being obvious.

 

[moretto]

I visited Akiro Asahi website, and gave my favourite Z4 a new leather, as old begun to peel off. Lovely, easy to stick and cheap. In addition to black leather he sent me a white/gold snake-like covering..but I still haven't decided which camera to "pimp" with that skin 😉