Preventing future Zeiss-Bumps ?

[Luddite Frank]

Some leather fell-off the front of my National Graflex, and I noticed little mounds of green corrosion on the brass rivet-heads ...

I plan on cleaning-off the corrosion and was thinking of putting a dab of clear nail-lacquer on each brass head to prevent future corrosion underneath the leather ...

Any reasons I should NOT try this ?


Thanks,

Luddite Frank

 

[apodeictic]

There might be an issue with the laquer itself which would speed up (or not slow) the deterioration. Chemicals in the laquer could react with either the leather or the metals and corrode things anyways.

There's probably an inert spray adhesive you could get to seal the metal from environmental contamination. Mask the areas you don't want to seal and do a few light coats (making sure to let it dry in between). That's the best advice I could give.

 

[outfitter]

My understanding is that clear lacquer is standard to prevent future bumps. I suppose you could also use varnish or shellac or even black paint. The purpose is to completely seal the brass from the air to avoid verdigris.

 

[Highway 61]

Nail lacquer is just perfect. Just carefully remove all the verdigris before applying the lacquer on the rivets heads. Lighter fluid will get the last verdigris stains off very easily.

Use white liquid wood glue to re-bond the leather, typically applied with a small paintbrush. Don't use too much glue and gently remove the surplus off the covering corners with a humid cotton bud.