"Rusty" chrome coating on a Leica III?

[hoot]

Just got hold of a bargain Leica IIIf which has some tiny rust-colored dots in several locations on the chrome plating, especially in nooks and crannies that are difficult to get to. I used a Q-tip dabbed in acetone (a.k.a. old-school nail polish remover, which is perfect for cleaning almost any kind of residue off metal surfaces; just don't let it touch the vulcanite!) but those tiny dots are impossible to remove.

Since rust is usually a result of moisture, I doubt that's what it is, because the lens that was attached (which, by the way, has similar brown markings) is completely free of haze and fungus. My reasoning (and please correct me if I'm wrong) is that, had the camera been stored in an environment moist enough to cause the chrome to rust, a fungal growth and/or haze between the lens elements would've been practically inevitable. Right?

So, does anyone know what this is and how it can be removed? Thanks!

Oh, another question - the RF patch has faded to invisibility (yes, I *am* looking through the 1.5x enlarged focusing window 😛). Any way to fix that at home, or does it involve a professional CLA?

 

[Stu W]

I seem to remember reading somewhere that the IIIf's chrome was prone to flaking off as they were improperly plated from new. Since the chrome parts are brass underneath you are probably seeing the brass showing through. Stu



How invisible is the rangefinder patch?

 

[Stu W]

I believe the Leica name for the filter to increase the RF contrast on the IIIF is OKARO. I think Dag sells them. Maybe that'll help a faded patch, but not one that is gone. Stu

 

[hoot]

Thanks! Is the lens barrel also made of brass underneath its chrome coating? It has the same brownish markings.

Stu, the RF patch is completely gone. Will a CLA help, or does it have to be re-silvered?

 

[Stu W]

I found this do-it-yourself link. I don't know if it'll apply to a Leica. Stu
http://www.kyphoto.com/classics/forum/messages/3/3860.html?1115914794


Maybe some of the guys more familiar with the screwmount Leicas would know.

 

[Nikon Bob]

Stu, the RF patch is completely gone. Will a CLA help, or does it have to be re-silvered?[/QUOTE]

If the RF patch is completely gone you will need a new beamsplitter installed. DAG in the USA does this work and has done two for me. If you get the beamsplitter replaced you should have a CLA done at the same time as it does not cost that much more because the camera is fairly weel stipped down already. There was a previous thread on beamsplitter replacement and a link on how to do it yourself.

Bob

 

[hoot]

Thanks!

Bob, how much did you pay for this service?

 

[captainslack]

FYI, Oleg in Russia (see Russian Cameras in the Cool Links section) works on Barnack Leica's and he's much cheaper than DAG. I'm waiting on my IIf to come back from his shop. It had similar problems to yours re: the RF patch, as well as holes in the curtains. He fixed both and CLA'd for $74.

 

[dreilly]

I seem to remember reading somewhere that the IIIf's chrome was prone to flaking off as they were improperly plated from new. Since the chrome parts are brass underneath you are probably seeing the brass showing through. Stu

I think I heard that it was only during the war years that there was real problems with chrome pitting, but maybe I'm wrong. And those would have been, I think, IIICs.

 

[Nikon Bob]

hoot

You can contact Don Goldberg at DAG via his site for a quote but I think Oleg will be much cheaper. Nothing like a little comparison shopping.

Bob