Nikon S2 Repaint?

[mrronin]

Hi,

Been offered a chrome S2 but it's a bit tired. My questions are:

Is it expensive to turn it into a black body? What are the likely costs involved?
Is there anyone in the UK who could do it?

I look forward to hearing from you all.

Regards,

Steve

 

[Highway 61]

The problem with repainting Nikon RFs is that the back has to be de-riveted so that the bottom plate only is dechromed and repainted black with oven baked paint, then the bottom plate and back plate must be re-riveted together after the paint has dried.

Virtually no camera painter can do this now. This explains why many repainted Nikon RFs have their bottom plate showing the chrome under the black paint, while the rest of the body has been dechromed then properly primered and painted. Not nice.

A tired chrome camera which was originally chromed isn't a bad thing as soon as it works well for taking pictures...

 

[mrronin]

Thanks for the advice..

Steve

 

[Vickko]

But if you just want it to be black, it isn't a very hard DYI project. I assume you are waiving need for authenticity, but just want it to "look black".

The trickiest parts are:

- some small parts need to be painted black
- the engraving isn't very deep and refilling it can be tricky if the engraving gets overfilled

Taking the back apart is probably not feasible any more, unless you are skilled in re-assembling it, and that may mean having to find or make rivets. I think it is just best to paint over the rivets.

As for chrome removal, perhaps just best to do a bath in muriatic acid. That will dissolve the chrome but not the nickel underplating. Then you can sand off the edges, and address the bumps and dings.

Then paint it with black spray paint. I don't think I'd prime it, because of overfilling the engraving.

 

[maddoc]

Ask Shintaro-san in Japan. It takes some time but the result is outstanding.

 

[Highway 61]

Ask Shintaro-san in Japan. It takes some time but the result is outstanding.

It takes some time and sometimes the camera doesn't come back home before some... time. Ahem.

 

[ChrisLivsey]

In the UK CRR Luton could do it, similar caveats on speed or rather the lack of it apply but the work is without doubt first class. The other issue is although you don't quote the offer the cost would most probably exceed the offer price and perhaps have x2 multiple on it!!

There are a few S2s about at the dealers in the UK at the moment you may want to look at what they are pricing against condition to fully understand how good the offer is.

 

[VinceC]

I have to admit I used the "can of Krylon" DIY approach advocated by PM. It's quite effective if done with restraint.

 

[Highway 61]

I have to admit that camera painting just eludes me as part of the photography hobby, but I could understand wanting to do it yourself as fun.

But having someone else paint your camera, seems like buying a model car kit and having someone else paint and assemble it for you.

I have no opinion about that. Personally I wouldn't have any of my vintage chrome cameras repainted black, nor wouldn't think of doing it myself using a Krylon can.

I was thinking of many problems reported here re. Shintaro's delays and communication.

I have to admit that I had a vintage Mercier pink bike frame very properly repainted dark blue with epoxy oven baked paint some years ago at a local pro paint booth, and this proved to be an excellent choice.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Why not invest some money into a real black S2? Prices have come down a lot. I am very happy with mine, 6170923.

Erik.

 

[Frontman]

Masa Saita in Tokyo quoted me just under $400 to paint a Nikon S3. This includes removing the chrome plating, new paint, and a CLA. Masa has painted a couple of Leica M cameras for me, and did a good job, turnaround was less than a week in both cases.

 

[mrronin]

Thank you for everybody's comments, I decided not go with the camera after all but I will continue to look for one in better condition.

Steve