unsticking ansco/agfa isolette lenses.

[Rob]

I have now had to unstick about 4 agfa isolette lenses where
the green grease they used to lubricate them has turned to
green glue. I have tried acetone, lighter fluid, liquid wrench a
heat gun, ice cubes, and freezing the parts. Nothing worked.

For this last one I just did, I used a small metal pan of lighter
fluid with enough fluid to cover the lens assembly. I then took a
small lamp and focused its heat at the metal pan. Soon the
fluid was getting warm which causes it to circulate slightly.
soon I was seeing green bits of grease in the bottom of the pan.
I flipped the lens assembly over several times during this.
I did this for several hours while doing other things and was
able to get them apart easily. Of course do not get the fluid
real hot it is flammable!

I want to try this on my next shutter I need to clean also.

One more.
I was missing the pin that stops the focus ring at infinity.
This is a tiny screw in pin that is often lost. I took a sewing
needle and cut it to the right length and epoxied it into the
hole the pin was missing from, works great.

 

[pshinkaw]

I don't have the nerve to put anything hot near an open pan of petroleum naptha (lighter fluid or Rosonol). I use denatured alcohol (from the paint department at Home Depot).I put the lens in a small jar, cover the lens with ETOH, cover the jar and let soak for 24 hours. It's always worked for green Agfa gunk.

-Paul