Keeping vulcanite complete

[colyn]

I just got my new/old Leica IIIf BD from KEH and the vulcanite is complete with no chipping etc or missing pieces. 🙂 🙂 🙂

What is a good way to keep it that way while still using the camera for its intended purpose??

 

[Al Kaplan]

Not that I know about.

 

[Ronald M]

It deteriorates from drying out like all rubber.

Silicone or McGuires tire and vinyl finish from a auto supply store.

Other use leather conditioner like Lexol.

McGuires has worked for me.

 

[Nikon Bob]

There are some suggestions here http://nemeng.com/leica/032b.shtml .

Bob

 

[Melvin]

There is a rubber conditioner specifically made to keep the rubber rollers in tape recording decks from drying out, if you can find it, it would work great.

 

[john neal]

Microtools sell a cream that they say is good for keeping your vulcanite in good oreder, but I have not tried it, and the name esacapes me for the moment. Of course, it could be one of the products noted here in a different package 😉

 

[Roger Hicks]

I just got my new/old Leica IIIf BD from KEH and the vulcanite is complete with no chipping etc or missing pieces. 🙂 🙂 🙂

What is a good way to keep it that way while still using the camera for its intended purpose??

A lot of it is luck, I suspect. I've had my 1936 IIIa for over half its life and the vulcanite is all there but it's now brown instead of black and smells a bit rubbery. I have a theory that using 'em helps: skin oil, maybe.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[Bill58]

Ordinary Glycerin available from any drug store works just fine once or twice a year. Thoroughly clean/ dry surfaces first (I use a light dishwashing detergent solution and water w/ an old toothbrush and old cloth towels.

 

[ray*j*gun]

I have three Barnacks made in 1949, 1946 and 1936....all have perfect vulcanite. I use Bill58's method and no problems.

Ray

 

[HuubL]

I use silicone oil. A drop applied once a year evenly spread over the vulcanite leaves a nice shine. This is what Wikipedia says about Silicone oil: "Silicone oil plays a useful role in gas powered airsoft guns where it is used to lubricate the rubber gas seals in gas blowback guns without degrading them as carbon-based oils would, as well as lubricating the moving parts of the guns."

 

[ray*j*gun]

Huuble, Does the silicon oil make the surface slippery? I have always been afraid of that possibility.

Ray

 

[HuubL]

Huuble, Does the silicon oil make the surface slippery? I have always been afraid of that possibility.

Ray

Just a bit after application, but in a day or so the slipperiness is gone. BTW, the oil also gives the chrome a nice protecting coating. I've used silicon oil for about 4-5 years now on all my Leica bodies without any adverse effects.

 

[Bill58]

Ordinary Glycerin available from any drug store works just fine once or twice a year. Thoroughly clean/ dry surfaces first (I use a light dishwashing detergent solution and water w/ an old toothbrush and old cloth towels.

Dumb me--I forgot to add that after you have allowed the Glycerin to soak in for a few hours, you must wipe off the residue!

 

[kevin m]

For those whose vulcanite is too far gone, I have to say that the Asahi imitation is pretty darned good. I had it on my recently sold M2 and it fooled me at first glance. 🙂

 

[ray*j*gun]

Thanks..... I will try that next go round.

Ray

Just a bit after application, but in a day or so the slipperiness is gone. BTW, the oil also gives the chrome a nice protecting coating. I've used silicon oil for about 4-5 years now on all my Leica bodies without any adverse effects.

 

[Rob-F]

In addition to applying the potion of your choice, consider using the camera in a half-case. My M2 lives in a Luigi case now. In fact, that's it, in my avatar.