Old lens revival

[ZeissFan]

I did this with a Summitar, not knowing that there are two sets of blades. It took me a good 30 minutes or so to get them reseated and then realized the aperture looked funky. Then, I had to pull the blades, sort them out and reseat them. Ugh!

I've been using silicon grease for plumbing work and wondered if it is too thick for lens helicals. I've been using white lithium, which has a nice consistency and doesn't seem to break down.

 

[AlwaysOnAuto]

Lesson learned - you don't have to remove the notched ring to get the aperture ring off, IF you're careful.
In trying to get the aperture ring off (it was very stiff/stuck) the notched ring moved enough to allow the blades to shift off their posts/positions. In hind sight which is always 20-20, I think I could've gotten the appy ring off without disturbing the notched ring by keeping it in place with my fingers a little more diligently. As it was I was trying to not touch the lens elements in the back.

 

[goamules]

Seriously, I find Naptha works wonders to clean old grease out of threads and irises. Then I use some high temperature grease made for clothes dryers in the focus helicals, and maybe a touch of non-detergent oil where the aperture ring moves.