What to use to clean and shine metal camera bodies

[Heldur]

I have a contax IIIa, kiev 4, fed 3b and cambinox spy binoculars. What is BEST to use on the metal body parts and the metal lens casings to clean and shine?. What about the serrated ridges around the metal lens casings that trap alot of grime?
Thanks!

 

[Heldur]

Thanks for replying, I will see if I can find something like this here in Ecuador or maybe buy online.

 

[Heldur]

I had a look at the product but I dont know if it would be strong enough?, I want something that will help restore old or worn/tarnished etc metal bodies and metal lens casings

 

[Heldur]

well maybe I should try it first. The condition is not that bad I dont have any brassing or major problems that would warrant reskinning etc. I will see how it goes,
thanks again

 

[FallisPhoto]

I had a look at the product but I dont know if it would be strong enough?, I want something that will help restore old or worn/tarnished etc metal bodies and metal lens casings

If you are talking about stained aluminum, there are only two possibilites that will work. If it isn't too bad, there is a product sold at marine hardware stores called "Alumabrite." It is an aluminum brightener. The ingredients are a mixture of hydrochloric and sulphuric acids, so tape up the camera and be very careful to keep it away from anything that isn't aluminum. You mix it with water, as the instructions on the jug say, and apply it with cotton swabs. As soon as the metal starts shining, wipe it off with a wet rag, twice.

The only other option is #0000 steel wool. The reason is that aluminum develops a hard "skin" over the softer metal beneath. If the stain goes through this "skin" then your only option is to remove it -- it won't polish evenly otherwise.

For knurled aluminum knobs and such, the best option is a stiff toothbrush. Use scouring powder if necessary and use steel wool to polish out the cleaning marks.

If it is plated brass, Nevr Dull metal polish is your best bet for shining chrome. If your camera is brassed (chrome worn through), you can learn to live with it, you can remove the chrome completely and paint it, you can remove the chrome, polish the brass and give it a coat of clear lacquer, or you can have it professionally rechromed. You can't really do a good chrome plating job at home, although you might manage nickel.

 

[rogerchristian]

For general cleaning, we use Armorall and a toothbrush on the cameras and lenses we take in on trade, been doing this for years, and it really makes the cameras, etc., look nice. Apply with a brush let it sit for a minute or two to loosen the sticky stuff, then brush to remove the loosened material. Wipe it down with an old towel or cloth. We then clean the VF and mirror with a cotton swab with lens cleaner, and finally remove the last of the smeary stuff (a residual film, really) with a microfiber cloth on a Q-tip. This really makes the glass look great.

Same thing with lenses. And as always , don't overdo the Armorall, ending up with a light film works best, I just pour a small puddle on the glass counter, dip the bristles and have at it. This method works very well with white numbers on the lenses which have accumulated a film of dirt.

 

[FallisPhoto]

For general cleaning, we use Armorall and a toothbrush on the cameras and lenses we take in on trade, been doing this for years, and it really makes the cameras, etc., look nice. Apply with a brush let it sit for a minute or two to loosen the sticky stuff, then brush to remove the loosened material. Wipe it down with an old towel or cloth. We then clean the VF and mirror with a cotton swab with lens cleaner, and finally remove the last of the smeary stuff (a residual film, really) with a microfiber cloth on a Q-tip. This really makes the glass look great.

Same thing with lenses. And as always , don't overdo the Armorall, ending up with a light film works best, I just pour a small puddle on the glass counter, dip the bristles and have at it. This method works very well with white numbers on the lenses which have accumulated a film of dirt.

Don't you find this makes them slippery and easy to drop?