Tips for removing MP covering

[Rafael]

I am thinking about re-covering my MP with Griptac. I have re-skinned an M2 before. But the vulcanite on that camera was dry and chipping and so was quite easy to remove. Morgan's site states that the new MP covering is attached with an aggressive adhesive. But I am still a bit unclear about how to safely remove the covering (given that it is still quite new and none of it is pealing or chipping).

To those of you here who have re-covered your MPs, do you have any tips for safely removing the original covering? Thanks.

 

[pkuglin]

http://www.cameraleather.com/leica_m/vulcanite/

shows a process to remove the vulcanite using paint remover. That would work on your MP. The hard part is removing all the glue...

 

[Rafael]

Thanks for the link. I have looked at that method. I'm just a bit wary about using paint remover on a black paint camera. I suppose that the obvious answer is to be careful where you put the paint remover! But I am wondering whether there are any other options for getting the original covering off.

 

[peter_n]

I was so concerned about this that I ended up sending my body to Morgan and he did it. I was afraid of really messing up the camera. I hope you find a solution because the Griptac absolutely transforms your handling.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Only the covering of the flip-up back is tricky. Use lighter-fluid to remove the adhesive.

The rest of the covering comes off easy, leaving no adhesive on the camera. Use Aki Asahi Pebble Emboss to recover. Very easy and very beautiful. Trow away immediatly that horrible piece of s..t orginal covering.

Erik.

 

[LChanyungco]

goo-gone or goof-off work well.

 

[lewis44]

Vulcanite is hard to remove if it is not flaking off, then Paint remover, etc. is needed. With adhesive it is just peeling it off, removing any residue and putting the new material on. Have not done an MP, but the M6, M7 was a breeze.
I have Griptac on my M8 and I love it. I also had it on my M7 before I sold it for the M8.
Here is a pic of the M7 with Griptac

 

[Rafael]

So, does that mean that, once I get a corner up, I should just be able to peel the covering off?

 

[pkuglin]

Or you could mask the painted areas with a liquid peel off mask. I used to use this stuff in my old modeling days. Simply paint in on the painted areas and let it dry. It is like rubber and protects the paint. After wards it just peels off. It also doesn't leak like tape...

I am doing a M5 this weekend, but its chrome and the old covering is flaking off. Just got it a week ago and the covering was perfect well until I handled it and put it into my bag - the vulcanite just broke away much to my horror...

 

[lewis44]

So, does that mean that, once I get a corner up, I should just be able to peel the covering off?

Yep. It should come off in one piece, but it sticks pretty well, so a little effort is in order.

If you have black paint, you should be very careful. Maybe use painters tape (Blue) to cover the edges while you wrestle with the covering, but black or silver chrome should show no ill effects.

If you have done an M2, then it is exactly the same after you get the covering off.

 

[Rafael]

Thanks Randy, that's the information that I was after. Mine is a black paint camera. So I guess that the trickiest part is going to be getting a corner of the covering up to start with.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Removing the vulcanite - in fact it's guttapercha - from an M2 is a totally different thing than removing the covering of the MP. The guttapercha of an M2 is best removed when the camera housing - the shell - is freed from the camera's inner life. When the housing is heated, the guttapercha can be removed easely.

The MP covering can be jerked off just when a corner of the stuff is made loose by a screwdriver. Just tear it loose. It will come off easy. You will damage neither camera nor covering.

The covering on the backflap is a bit more tricky. Particles of the adhesive stay on the metal. Remove them with lighter fluid and patience. Once everething is clean - really an easy job - recover the camera with griptac, Pebble Emboss or whatever. I can recommend Aki Asahi Pebble Emboss, but the griptac-stuff seems to be good too.

Erik.

 

[dimitris]

Why do you remove it in the first place?

 

[Erik van Straten]

Because the MP-covering is the worst stuff any camera-manufacturer has ever put on a camera.

Erik.

 

[Austerby]

Because the MP-covering is the worst stuff any camera-manufacturer has ever put on a camera.

Do people really think this? I'm surprised as out of all the M's I either have or have handled (M3, M2, cameraleather'd M2, M6, M7 and MP) I like the MP's covering most of all.

 

[rlouzan]

Does anyone know if Griptak is available in other colors?

Thanks

 

[nobbylon]

Because the MP-covering is the worst stuff any camera-manufacturer has ever put on a camera.

Erik.

seconded ! imho it looks awfull.
I have to disagree with some though. Don't use lighter fluid to get the back door residual glue off. I tried this and it just made things worse. Arm yourself with a roll of sellotape and cut a small piece and make double sided. Dabbing this onto the remaning glue will with patience and plenty of new pieces of sellotape remove said glue. As others have said, the body covering just peels straight off easy.

 

[lewis44]

Does anyone know if Griptak is available in other colors?

Along with Black, Morgan offers a grey color.
Check www.cameraleather.com for the color samples

 

[edodo]

removing is hard on your new camera, also you might consider that applying the griptac won't be easy and could lead to a wobby job. A skilled pro can do a good job safely, don't ruin this MP beauty...

 

[Artorius]

Except

Except

Because the MP-covering is the worst stuff any camera-manufacturer has ever put on a camera.

Erik.

Except maybe the covering on the M8. I will recover mine after I get the Frame lines and shutter upgrades next year(read: additional 1 yr. warranty). For now I use the Luigi grip case, or the PhotoEquip hand grip on the M8.