Lug Marks On M-2 Body

[mike goldberg]

Hi...

I've got a much loved & used Leica M-2, which I've had since 1972. It's in excellent working order, having had a complete C-L-A at a quality Tel Aviv repair shop.

In the years that I used the M-2 as a working Photojournalist, the metal screw-eye loops attached to the strap, SCORED the top of the camera body in a wide 'U' pattern on either side. Does anyone know how to clean this up? Seems to me, the services of some kind of metal working or polishing shop would be needed.

So, I seek help from others that have dealt with this problem.
Thanks & ciao
Mike 😕

 

[Ben Z]

That's pretty common. My M4 looks like that. It's worn the chrome plating down to the brass, so polishing it will only make it worse. You would have to have the chrome chemically stripped and then get it re-plated. AFAIK nobody else does the same OEM-look silver chrome plating and Leica doesn't offer the service (surprisingly), but there are a couple places that will strip it and paint it black or some other color. A lot of money to spend on cosmetics and if you've used that M2 that long and hard there must be other blemishes here and there too.

 

[parallax]

And why wipe out all the character? For me, it just makes it look more beautiful.

 

[ruben]

To stop it immediately, come to my home quickly !!

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[Ronald M]

My friend , who is a matalurgist, worked out a replating scheme to duplicate the satin chrome. It took him months of strip and replate trials, but he didi it. It is not a simple process.

Needless to say, he will not share the process as he wants to go into the restoration business.