Fixing a scratchy film pressure plate (and/or rollers)

[BigTed]

Hi - I have an Isolette II and a Voigtlander Vito B, both of which scratch the film as it goes through. I think this is down roughness on the pressure plate - scratches, goo - altho it might be the rollers.

What is the best way to clean and repair this? (white spirit? emery paper? black paint?)

Any hints/tips gratefully accepted - I thought I'd ask before I destroy something.

I have a number of other RFs to work through, so I'm sure this will come up again

Thanks!

 

[ZorkiKat]

Try jeweller's rouge mixed with white toothpaste.

Or just plain dry jeweller's rouge for removing light scratches.

Polish the scratched pressure plate with this and old cotton rag.

 

[nikon_sam]

Can you feel ANYTHING on any of these items...if your fingers aren't sensitive enough try gentle going over these items with a cotton wipe...any rough areas should tear or pull off some cotton...
I just did this with a Calumet 120 film holder for my 4x5 camera...I found some rough/sharp points and instead of rubbing them down I covered the spots with Teflon Tape...I'm developing the test roll right now...

 

[bsdunek]

Try what ZorkiKat says. I have used automotive polish - not wax. duPont No. 7 is good. Us a cotton cloth and polish the pressure plate. No need for any recoating. Of course check to see if any other area is scratching the film.

 

[FallisPhoto]

For roughened pressure plates, I use 800 grit sandpaper with a block, followed by a very thin coat of black enamel. Remove all the paint, don't just paint over it. If you use enamel, you need to be able to dismount the plate for baking (to harden the enamel). If you can't get the pressure plate off without damaging anything, use black epoxy paint.

For the film rollers, first be sure they are rolling, then polish them with crocus cloth.

Incidentally, you also need to check the camera body on either side of the film rollers. Sometimes the film can rub against that too.

Incidentally, film rollers scratch the front of the film and pressure plates scratch the back, so that should give you a clue which it is.

Edit: Apply the enamel with an airbrush and thin it to about half strength. After it dries, you'll need to bake it for 24 hours at low heat to reach maximum hardness.

 

[Rob-F]

Since part of the pressure plate's job is to keep the film flat, it might be good to place that 800 grit sandpaper grit side up on a flat glass plate, and sand the whole pressure plate uniformly so as to avoid making depressions in it while sading.

 

[FallisPhoto]

Since part of the pressure plate's job is to keep the film flat, it might be good to place that 800 grit sandpaper grit side up on a flat glass plate, and sand the whole pressure plate uniformly so as to avoid making depressions in it while sading.

Uh ..., yeah, that's what a block is. It can be wood, hard rubber, plastic or anything else that is stiff and flat. I wouldn't recommend glass though (or metal), unless you are going to paint the whole camera. Glass is hard enough to scratch the other paint.