Polish your aluminum lenses.....

[Bill58]

I "discovered" a process to make the bodies of your Russkie lenses really shine and you can now have something to do on those long, winter evenings.

First, I removed all the ugly, slightly brown lacquer w/ lacquer thinner, paper towels, a toothbrush (for the grooved or knurled surfaces) and Q-tips.

Second, I applied some of the somewhat legendary (1.) Rennaisance Pre-Lim surface cleaner, and (2.) Micro-Crystalline Wax ((http://www.picreator.co.uk/index.shtml) using Q-tips and small, cotton squares that women use to put on make-up.

I had previously used Flitz paste metal cleaner, but wasn't entirely happy w/ the results (the tarnishing came back too quickly). However, the outcome w/ the Rennaisance products was much improved right away and I expect the shine will last quite a long time.

My next project will be to do the same w/ my chrome Canon RF lenses.

Have fun!!!!

 

[peterm1]

I use a cotton wadding product (bought in a tin from auto parts stores) that seems to be impregnated with something that smells like Brasso metal polish. It works brilliantly to brighten a surface and leaves little or no residue. But if there are deeper scratches you will need to supplement this with a paste polish that has a more robust polishing action. The wadding is very gentle. I also use the same product on satin chrome camera bodies as it is so gentle and also helps remove grime.

 

[ruben]

hi Bill,
this sounds very interesting. However I am not clear why are you refering to le nses and not to lenses and bodies. So my understanding is that you are targeting very old lenses, like the Jupiter 8, not M, the one without f/stops.

Am I correct ?

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[Alexander]

I use a cotton wadding product (bought in a tin from auto parts stores) that seems to be impregnated with something that smells like Brasso metal polish. It works brilliantly to brighten a surface and leaves little or no residue. But if there are deeper scratches you will need to supplement this with a paste polish that has a more robust polishing action. The wadding is very gentle. I also use the same product on satin chrome camera bodies as it is so gentle and also helps remove grime.

I think the stuff PeterM refers to is Nevr Dull

http://www.nevrdull.com/

 

[Bill58]

Ruben:

Yes--the bare, naked (unpainted) J's and even chrome lenses can benefit from this treatment. I just finished my Canon chrome, RF lenses they look sharper too!

Bill

 

[Bill58]

I could but chrome/ polished aluminum doesn't photograph real well. The chrome/ aluminum lenses now look like mirrors. I was surprised that the chrome one improved that much--of course not as much corrosion came off as from the aluminum ones, but a definite improvement.

 

[fanshaw]

I "discovered" a process to make the bodies of your Russkie lenses really shine and you can now have something to do on those long, winter evenings.

First, I removed all the ugly, slightly brown lacquer w/ lacquer thinner, paper towels, a toothbrush (for the grooved or knurled surfaces) and Q-tips.

Second, I applied some of the somewhat legendary (1.) Rennaisance Pre-Lim surface cleaner, and (2.) Micro-Crystalline Wax ((http://www.picreator.co.uk/index.shtml) using Q-tips and small, cotton squares that women use to put on make-up.

I had previously used Flitz paste metal cleaner, but wasn't entirely happy w/ the results (the tarnishing came back too quickly). However, the outcome w/ the Rennaisance products was much improved right away and I expect the shine will last quite a long time.

My next project will be to do the same w/ my chrome Canon RF lenses.

Have fun!!!!

I find that a microfibre cloth is very effective for polishing both unlacquered lens barrels and the satin or polished chrome on camera bodies. I have tried various metal polishes, but I find the cloth does a better job and of course it leaves no residue.

 

[Fabrice2]

I 've bought some flitz on the bay last time i've cleaned my lens barrels, it was a big kit with 3 tubes, a little bottle, and a microfibre cloth it was very effective for jupiter lenses.
You can also use toothpaste if you like menthol 😉

 

[Bill58]

I 've bought some flitz on the bay last time i've cleaned my lens barrels, it was a big kit with 3 tubes, a little bottle, and a microfibre cloth it was very effective for jupiter lenses.
You can also use toothpaste if you like menthol 😉

The Flitz people claim some residual anti-tarnish effect w/ their blue metal paste, but in my experience it doesn't work very long on silver and I expect on aluminum either. I think the Rennaisance Pre-lim is about the same as the Flitz, but their wax leaves a lasting shine.

The Rennaisance wax bottle even claims it's good on leather. Apparently, "Her Majesty" commissioned some good stuff.

For what it's worth, last nite I used both Rennaisance products on a very old, original black- painted Summar hood (outside only) and WOW! it really looks good too.

Am I bored or what? Yep.