Sunday night anxiety (scratched zinc top).

[caffeineshutter]

So...the top plate of my M6 (circa mid-80s) has shiny zinc showing (see my other posts about the slightly bent rewind crank grinding away the black enamel down to the shiny stuff).

So...

Do I leave it be? Or perhaps touch it up with clear nail polish or something?

-CJ

 

[Hephaestus]

I'd leave it- I respect a marked up camera. Repairs to the finish are often nearly as conspicuous as the damage that they cover.

Ryan

 

[caffeineshutter]

Ach...what I left out was...

Ach...what I left out was...

...the fact that some of these M6s with zinc top plates have an odd sort of weakness: Apparently a scratch in the enamel will cause the metal to interact with the air and oxidize; thereby causing the enamel/paint to bubble as the underlying metal oxidizes.

So I'm wondering how prevalent this problem is, and if it should be remedied by keeping air away from the bare metal with something to seal it.

CJ

I'd leave it- I respect a marked up camera. Repairs to the finish are often nearly as conspicuous as the damage that they cover.

Ryan

 

[xayraa33]

if it is a user camera, do not worry, bubbled paint will add to the charm.

 

[x-ray]

...the fact that some of these M6s with zinc top plates have an odd sort of weakness: Apparently a scratch in the enamel will cause the metal to interact with the air and oxidize; thereby causing the enamel/paint to bubble as the underlying metal oxidizes.

So I'm wondering how prevalent this problem is, and if it should be remedied by keeping air away from the bare metal with something to seal it.

CJ

Zinc is very hard to oxadize. One of my clients is Altrista Zinc and they do extensive testing regarding corrosoion / oxidation. Zinc is used for the base metal in automotive trim, bathroom fixtures and the US penny because of it's resistance to the elements / oxidartion. Don't worry!

 

[FrankS]

I think I'd try sealing the bare metal. Not just for cosmetic's sake.