How do you clean an FSU?

[Creagerj]

I was wondering what a good way was to clean my kiev 4a inside and out? Also what is a good chemical to use to remove gunck and corrosion? Oh, and what would be a good way to clean a J8? Finally, are there any recomended polishing compounds?

 

[kmack]

First The Kiev Survival Site is your most valuable reference.

For cleaning caked and dried grease I use naphtha. Otherwise I use alcohol.

 

[reagan]

Hey Joe ~

Yeah, great site there that kmack mentions.

On the outside, I'm not a real stickler of making something "pristine," but I do try to get the gunk off. I use a window cleaner usually. It will cut most gunky grease substances and evaporate before running/seaping somewhere I don't want it to go. Generally I apply with a cotton patch [used for cleaning guns, purchased at WalMart] or in places maybe a Q-tip.

I use the same on the outside of lens barrels, dis-assembled and once the glass is away. A toothbrush is good in grooves etc. and I also have a couple of tiny brushes that came with electric razors that make good "micro-scrubbers."

Gunk removal from gears etc. inside camera body or inside lens gunk, I use Ronsonol lighter fluid on a cotton patch or Q-tip. Again, use lightly if what your cleaning isn't off the camera. The lighter fluid also evaporates rather quickly, but I dry the excess with a cotton patch/Q-tip as well.

Rule of thumb - common sense. "Go easy. They're cameras." If not disassembled, try to keep the cleaning fluids on the parts you want to clean.

Polishing compounds I'm not sure about - don't use any. But others do, so I'm sure you'll get some tips there too.

Enjoy the 4a!

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

If you do use a polishing compound try Flitz. But don't do a lot of rubbing. It will wind up way too shiny. Like a Yashica GSN. Kind of "Blingy."

Greyhoundman recommends the use of a toothpaste on the satin chrome. In the case of the Kiev I would definitely follow his advice.

I've used Sensodyne after using Goo Gone to get gooey stuff (wax, sticker gum, dried catsup, and other strange substances) off of the outer shell parts that are covered with satin chrome. The results were good.

 

[lmd91343]

Joe,

I've been very stingy in applying cleaning fluids to a camera.

To clean external knobs, dials, levers, topplates, and other do-dads, I remove them and put them in an Windex bath in an ultrasonic cleaner. I then scrub the recesses and engravings with a toothbrush and go for another round in the ultrasonic cleaner. I use the cheap ultrasonic cleaner for my wife's jewelry (don't tell her!). I then touch up any paint in the engravings using lacquer (lacquer sticks from micro-tools.com) If the previous owner was a smoker, you will need to rub down the surfaces with alcohol.

For cleaning items on the camera, I use Kodak lens cleaning fluid on lens cleaning paper. It works surprisingly well. It just takes a lot of time and a lot of paper.

For cleaning large large chrome metal surfaces, as a last step I will use a quick wipe with a rag moistened with rosonol.

Good luck!

 

[Kim Coxon]

Info on the J8 here http://pentax-manuals.com/repairs.htm

Kim

 

[Bas]

Wow, excellent advices. I will use some of this info!

One thing I've learned the hard way... don't let any fluid (oil, or oil remover) leak near shutter curtains or shutter system. Your camera has metal curtains, so if something leaks there you should have no problem... but my Zorki 4 has cloth curtains and some lighter fluid leaked on the ribbon barrels. Now It's as noisy as my Yashica reflex 🙁. I guess it's just a matter of taking it apart and relubing it, but well... my other Zorki is my main shooter :lol:

Anyways, back to the advice. I use Zippo lighter fluid and it has worked very well. To apply oil, I use a small syringe with the steel needle, filled with Singer sewing machine oil. I only apply a drop of oil where needed. Too much will make dust stick and make gum again in the middle of everything.

Bas.