Verdigris on camera

[styvone]

Hi,

I recently picked up a Canon P for not too much. The only problem is there seems to be some sort of blue/green corrosion on the overall exterior.

I've done some digging and come to the conclusion that it is verdigris. Now, I know I can send it to a shop (made a recent thread about that on this forum) to have it removed, but I'm curious about the long-term effects of it. Does verdigris ever come back?

My understanding is that verdigris is caused by the underlying brass being exposed to moisture/air. If the verdigris is wiped off (some say to use Brasso), won't the brass just be exposed to air? And if the conditions are right, won't the verdigris simply form again?

I've attached some photos of the body. I'm also wondering how deep this verdigris goes and if I'm better off finding another user body.

Thanks in advance!

 

[rumbliegeos]

Verdigris can also form where a camera's metal has been in contact with case leather that has been treated with some kind of chemical-bearing oils or waxes. That may not be the issue with your camera. BTW, I have seen far worse cases of this problem.

 

[Pál_K]

That’s a very mild case. I’ve seen far worse cases where it has been caused by sweat, either from hands, face, even eyebrows, can eat away at the surface. I have a camera or two like that. Once cleaned off, it hasn’t come back and no further deterioration occurred.

 

[styvone]

Thanks for the help everyone. I think I'm going to send it in for a CLA and note it down as something I want cleaned off. Once it's gone - I hope it won't come back.

Cheers!

 

[retinax]

Very mild case indeed, nothing to worry. At first I thought you were talking about a level of corrosion that could indicate the camera had been exposed to moisture and the insides might be rotten. Even in that case, the verdigris on the outside would not be worrisome in itself.
After cleaning, you could rub some oil which you don't mind getting on your hands on it (I'd use the Camelia oil I have for my Japanese kitchen knives).

 

[styvone]

Very mild case indeed, nothing to worry. At first I thought you were talking about a level of corrosion that could indicate the camera had been exposed to moisture and the insides might be rotten. Even in that case, the verdigris on the outside would not be worrisome in itself.
After cleaning, you could rub some oil which you don't mind getting on your hands on it (I'd use the Camelia oil I have for my Japanese kitchen knives).

That's interesting - what would I need to do if there were verdigris on the insides? I don't think there is any on the insides of this camera, though I haven't taken it apart.

 

[AlwaysOnAuto]

It's a Canon, I wouldn't worry about it as they are tough cameras. I shot a roll thru my VI-T after it had sat unused for over 15 years and it worked OK. I'd clean that off and just use it as is unless it doesn't fire at all. Exercise will help it IMO.
My camera had discoloration worse than yours from being in a case all that time. I loaned it to a family member and it came back clean as a whistle. Asked what he used on it and he said chrome cleaner. He's a camera guy so I knew he'd done it carefully.

 

[AlwaysOnAuto]

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Cleaning alcohol dissolves verdigris if you want to do it yourself.

 

[agfa100]

Something I have used to clean up old used cameras I have picked up is called "Never Dull" found in hardware stores here in the US. Plus it leaves a nice feel to the metal finish when you are done.

 

[davidnewtonguitars]

Once cleaned off, it will never come back as long as you keep cleaning it off. Ren wax is good.

 

[wes loder]

verdigris usually occurs due to brass reacting to the leather coverings. Cameras that do not use real leather, such as Leicas (vulcanite) or Nikons (fake leather) from the S2 on do not suffer from it. Contax and other Zeiss Ikon cameras are infamous for verdigris which causes the leather to bubble up (hence "Zeiss bumps"). Little green around the edges of contact is no big thing. Clean it off and move on. To get rid of Zeiss bumps and other such warts may require carefully removing and flattening the leather and regluing. Sealing off the brass from the leather might prevent a return. Cameras stored in cool, dry conditions seldom get verdigris.