How to clean a tarnished chrome lens?

[Archiver]

I am not sure where to put this thread, so if it is not appropriate here, can a mod please move it to the right forum?

I just bought a Canon LTM 50mm f1.8, the full chrome version with infinity lock. The lens is very clean with only a hint of internal dust, a touch of oil on the aperture blades, and very few polishing scratches on the front element. But there is a distinct spotting of tarnish or raised rust on the front ring, and on one part of the focus ring.

I have tried rubbing it with a silver polish cloth but it doesn't come off. I've been googling for ways to remove rust from chrome but most remedies use chemicals that I am afraid might get inside the lens and haze it up.

I would really appreciate some suggestions. 🙂

 

[Meakin]

Somewhere - deep down in the cobwebbed corner of my mind, I seem to remember something about using a tiny bit of toothpaste on chrome, just make sure you don't get any on the glass or in between any moving parts 😉

Try it (if you dare) - if it was me, I would probably leave as is.

Cheers,

Meakin

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Depending on how bad it is it might be best to get it cleaned professionally because they'd take the part off and then do it. IMO, rust needs to be chiselled off and that makes it risky.

Mild rust stains can be shifted with one of those old fashioned rubbers (or erasers for our sensitive American friends) that we used to use when correcting mistakes in the days of typewriters. Or an ink rubber, perhaps, which ever you use it takes ages.

I'll wish you luck.

Regards, David

 

[mdarnton]

First you'd better determine what you have. Rust forms on steel; tarnish on silver. I'm betting your lens is made of neither. Attack the problem with the wrong chemical or abrasive, and. . .

You don't say what era the lens is. Are we looking at corroded aluminum, or something happening to brass under chrome? Those are probably the two choices. If you start in on aluminum with an eraser you will probably make things better. If you do so to chrome on brass, chances are you will make the problem worse, quickly.

 

[Bill58]

I use this:http://restorationproduct.com/preliminfo.html, and then this:http://restorationproduct.com/renwaxinfo.html or chrome and painted cameras/ lenses.