Elmar 135/4 - leather removal

[TheHub]

Hello,

Late last year I happened upon an Elmar 135/4 (I created a thread around that time, I believe.) Unfortunately the leather has flaked off in areas, making it look awful. I'd like to remove what's left and re-leather it.

How does one go about removing it? I've heard about heating it, but I'm afraid of damaging the lens ...

 

[maddoc]

If it is vulcanite then the paint-stripper available at "car-bacs" (spell ?) helps softening it BUT (!!!) the solvent vapor will very probably harm the lubricants and also any kit / black paint used internally of the lens. So you must have to dissassemble the lens until you are left only with the part being covered by vulcanite and then can give give it a try. (Of course outside, wearing protecting gloves and eye protection NO contact lenses at all !)

 

[TheHub]

Thank you! I'll look into it - what's the product name?

 

[karlori]

Gel lava or larva that is non toxic and does not have corrosive fumes? I removed leatherette from my M3 and pentax MX with it with no harm to the finish ... If you want you can secure the other parts of the lens by masking them with tape.