Re-covering a III

[Dralowid]

I don't want to do it but the old covering is coming off in chips. Who is the current favourite for supplying self adhesive recoverings?

Anyone in the UK?

Just to make things a little more 'involved' the camera is a IIIa syn so it has that extra lug at the base for Leicavit etc.

 

[WoodallP]

Hi, I know a negative reply isn’t useful but I’m pretty sure Aki-Asahi doesn’t do anything before IIc/IIIc precisely because it’s a bit hit and miss.

I got one for a II from Hugo Studio which would be the right size for you and I could specify no back hole so maybe there are other options that would fit the IIIa. The surface was nice but not terribly authentic.

I recently ordered several sheets of material with different Leica type surfaces from various sources. When they come (early next month) I want to do some comparaisons with my Barnacks and if I get conclusive findings I will post them. There is a lot of talk about 4008, 4040, 4044 material etc. So hopefully I will finally know the difference.

Cutting your own is a possibility, especially if you know someone with a Brother Scan N Cut or Cricut (I have the Brother) However it must be remembered that Barnack skins are long. You need over 300mm but this can be achieved on a smaller « page » by cutting the shape at an angle. This wouldn’t work with linear grain however (such as the late 40’s sharkskin).

Sorry I went off topic but try Hugo. i have never used Cameraleather, the website scares me.

I have a IIIa but it is well clad, so making a template is tricky due to the extra thickness of the existing skin. I could have a guess based on the II with extra bits cut out and send you a paper one to check maybe.

 

[d_c]

Micro-Tools in Germany do a cost effective 0.7mm self-adhesive leatherette in 27.5 x 45cm sheets with a pattern that's a reasonable match for a Leica.

Micro-Tools Europe Tools | Leatherette, 18 In. x11 In. | buy online

 

[WoodallP]

Micro-Tools in Germany do a cost effective 0.7mm self-adhesive leatherette in 27.5 x 45cm sheets with a pattern that's a reasonable match for a Leica.

Micro-Tools Europe Tools | Leatherette, 18 In. x11 In. | buy online

Yes, this is one in my comparaison batch. It’s a good size too.

 

[Valkir1987]

I have a cover from Hugostudio for my Standard Model E, which fits like a glove. Very neatly cut. I made the cover for my IIb with strap lugs myself because a precut one was not available. It's okay-ish, but it is very hard to get it as neat as a laser pre cut one.

 

[WoodallP]

I have a cover from Hugostudio for my Standard Model E, which fits like a glove. Very neatly cut. I made the cover for my IIb with strap lugs myself because a precut one was not available. It's okay-ish, but it is very hard to get it as neat as a laser pre cut one.

Any sort of cutter is good, laser or mechanical, the good thing is it is reproducible so you can try with paper or cheap materials first and then tweak the design.

Here is a II, temporarily clad in stuff from Amazon France at 5 euros for two sheets, both long enough for two or three skins for a pre-war Barnack. It's quite stretchy so there is wobble room. I intend to replace it when I have found the closest material.

 

[Dralowid]

Ages ago I was shown a camera where someone had used some sort of black putty to patch missing bits of vulcanite. They showed me that after a little practice with a toothpick matching the texture was not too hard.

Now...what sort of putty/rubber/clay was it?

 

[WoodallP]

Ages ago I was shown a camera where someone had used some sort of black putty to patch missing bits of vulcanite. They showed me that after a little practice with a toothpick matching the texture was not too hard.

Now...what sort of putty/rubber/clay was it?

Milliput black epoxy putty ptobably. You should be able to find it on Amazon. This is the one I have seen most cited.

For small areas it is good if you are artistic. You may want to back it with a bit of contact adhesive and then blend the surface with varnish or black paint. It’s very good for removed sync plugs. It’s probably tricky to do large areas though. I have had some sucess by making a « cast » of a good area And then using it to stamp the new surface. For the stamp I also used epoxy putty. Both when making the stamp and embossing the surface I applied a little oil to allow separation; though it should be cleaned off the vulcanite quickly as I’m not sure of the long term effect.

 

[WoodallP]

My first attempt at a IIIa cut in paper next to a « tasteful » II skin made from furniture repair patch.
I think I need to make some more measurements though. It’s trickier without a nude camera.

 

[Dralowid]

The last camera I recovered was a Digilux 2, in that case the owner, who had bought the leather, said that its cost probably doubled the value of the camera! The end result was tidy.

Thinking about it I'm going to try a little filling in of small missing pieces with epoxy putty. After all, there is nothing to lose

 

[WoodallP]

I have also seen mention of using picein wax, but I can't say it's anything I am familiar with. A pack of the black epoxy putty will last a lot of repairs but of the whole covering is becoming detached it is best to stabilise it first by running some glue where you can.