Leica M2: Vulcanite is Sticky

[styvone]

Hi everyone!

I just received my first Leica today: a beautiful Leica M2 🙂

Everything is in working order, but I can't get over how sticky the vulcanite is. It's not noticeable at first, but after a few minutes of handling the camera, my fingers will get sticky.

I used some alcohol wipes to clean off any residues on the vulcanite, and it definitely reduced the overall stickiness. But, the issue didn't disappear completely - it is still sticky. Not to mention, there are some odd black spots on the wipes after using them.

Does anyone have any idea what's going on here? Should I just send it in for a re-skin?

Thanks in advance,

 

[iphoenix]

It's reported drivers are having a similar problem with their cars' steering wheels if their hands are still moist after using covid alcohol based disinfectant.

 

[Nitroplait]

You should read this:
https://www.nemeng.com/leica/032b.shtml

 

[David Hughes]

Stickiness could be from grubby hands; my first response would be the traditional damp cloth.

But I have one sticky camera that has defied everything I have tried. So I'll wish you luck...


Regards, David

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Are you sure it is original vulcanite?

 

[Erik van Straten]

The previous owner may have smeared the vulcanite with black shoe polish. Some people do the weirdest things.


Erik.

 

[Rob-F]

Maybe one or two more alcohol cleanings are needed.

 

[oldwino]

The guy I bought my M2 from sent it with a tube of Teflon paste, which he frequently spread on the vulcanite to keep it supple.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Original vulcanite is nice but in all reality, replacing it with a Aki Asahi or Hugo Studio kit may be the best option as a baseline. No need to send it off either, they are easily stuck on by the owner.
Phil Forrest

 

[styvone]

It's reported drivers are having a similar problem with their cars' steering wheels if their hands are still moist after using covid alcohol based disinfectant.

I thought this was the issue at first, but after a whole night of sitting on my desk, the M2 is still a bit sticky to touch. The alcohol is all dried up by now! :bang:

 

[styvone]

You should read this:
https://www.nemeng.com/leica/032b.shtml

I've looked at this for help, but can't find anything about cleaning the vulcanite rubber. There's only information on how to maintain it. Do you think that https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=161633 applies to my case?

 

[styvone]

Are you sure it is original vulcanite?

I'm pretty sure it's the original vulcanite. There's some places where it is chipping (like the usual spot underneath lens mount), and it is rubbery to touch.

 

[styvone]

Thanks everyone for all the help!

I'm going to try and clean it again today with something stronger. Maybe a toothbrush and isopropyl alcohol? I've also found this thread on here that may apply to my case: https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=161633

Worst comes to worst, I'll just ask YYe to re-skin it during its next CLA. AFAIK, the camera hasn't been CLA'd in a long time!

 

[lxmike]

Replacing and re-fitting is not that difficult, a few replacement leather kits are out there, when removing the old covering I have found that gentle warming with a hair dryer helps, good luck with your M2 its a classic that deserves to be used and loved

 

[Bill Blackwell]

... Everything is in working order, but I can't get over how sticky the vulcanite is. It's not noticeable at first, but after a few minutes of handling the camera, my fingers will get sticky.

I used some alcohol wipes to clean off any residues on the vulcanite, and it definitely reduced the overall stickiness. But, the issue didn't disappear completely - it is still sticky. Not to mention, there are some odd black spots on the wipes after using them. ...

Of the dozens of Leica M3/2/4 cameras I've owned over the years, I've never experienced this from original vulcanite. It's either your own chemistry or the vulcanite has been treated with some sort of solvent creating the stickiness.

The way I see it, you have three choices -
1. Live with it for awhile and hope it eventually dries out;
2. Recover the camera with a replacement leatherette; or
3. Return the camera to the seller for a refund.

If you got a good buy on the camera start with option 1 with option 2 as "plan B". If you paid 'market price' for the camera, I'd go with option 3 from the start.

Vulcanite should not be sticky or 'supple'. Quite the contrary - it should be fixed and hard. And the vulcanite residual on your treated cleaning cloth is quite normal.

 

[styvone]

Update:

I made a very diluted solution of water + hand soap and scrubbed at the vulcanite with a soft toothbrush, making sure to pat dry right after with a paper towel. I repeated this process of scrub/dry until the paper towel was no longer turning black. The vulcanite is much less sticky now.

The reason why I didn't go with re-skinning at the moment is because I'm going on a trip soon and would like to bring the M2 with me. The backdoor leather has been replaced - its texture is much different compared to the vulcanite. Its feel is also much nicer to me, so I'm going to send the camera off for a CLA + re-skin at YYe once I'm back from my trip.

Here's something interesting: this M2 has frame lines for 35/135, 50, and 90 + the sync ports are of the M4+ variant. Wasn't described by the seller, but these were upgrades I wanted to do in the future. A nice surprise!

Thanks everyone once again for all the help!

Cheers,