Zinc Top Plate Repair?

[JamSee]

Hello!

I recently had a clumsy fall that resulted in me landing on my M6...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3643/3350623411_9258bca220_o.jpg

And this was the result...

Does anyone have any ideas about how I could fill/repair this chip?

thanks,

James.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

Forgetaboutit...

Zinc topcovers do not repair well - the consistency of the metal of too brittle. If the "damage" bothers you, I would sugest you buy a new topcover.

Check eBay seller, "Tonaya."

 

[Al Kaplan]

You're lucky it didn't develop a running crack! Chromed brass just dents a bit and pretty much absorbs the shock, thus protecting the camera's innards somewhat, compared to zinc alloy.

 

[Peter_Jones]

I'd just consider it a "battle scar" if you're planning to keep the camera.

 

[Tom A]

James. I would put some black paint on the scratch to stop galvanic reaction and ignore it for the rest. Consider it a mark of honor and at also will prevent you from selling the camera later - and you dont have to baby it anymore.

 

[Al Kaplan]

Tom is right! Now you can wrap that nice leather case in tissue and save it for your next new camera. For now you can start running a few thousand rolls of film through the camera and get to work on rubbing the finish off the edges with nothing but the bare skin of your fingers. The first significant ding is liberating indeed!

 

[Beemermark]

DAG has a top M6 cover with a little wear but not really ugly for $100. Easy enough to replace.

 

[JamSee]

Thanks!

The running crack thing was a little scary...

It really doesnt bother me! Certainly a user cam, I was a little bored today and thought this might be a solution.

I think I'll paint the little crack, can anyone recommend a suitable paint type?

James.

 

[Al Kaplan]

Yeah, gunblue will blacken brass also. Probably the best thing is to just consider it a battle wound and wear it proudly!

 

[Richbuckle]

Would the blackener solution stop the galvanic reaction Tom talked about? -Any speculation welcome!

Thankfully, I ask for the possible future and don't have any need of a solution now.

 

[Richbuckle]

Cheers for the answer. It's funny, I've done several searches for what an M6 looks like when it starts to 'brass' and have never been able to find any images. Anybody who could oblige?

-Hold the phones; I found something on Photo.net. Mind you, it's a bottom-plate, so brass.

 

[RichardB]

If the camera works, forget about it.
As far as galvanic reaction, I doubt seriously that you will encounter an environment that would accellerate it such as sea water. Just watch it and I bet in a year from now it will look exactly the same.-Dick

 

[JamSee]

If the camera works, forget about it.
As far as galvanic reaction, I doubt seriously that you will encounter an environment that would accellerate it such as sea water. Just watch it and I bet in a year from now it will look exactly the same.-Dick

Thanks Dick, your right, I actually put the dent there over a year ago now. No reaction has occurred yet.

I bought the camera in I guess what was collectors condition, and it was a little disheartening to have the first visible mark be a great chunk out of the top plate. However, the corners are starting to brass and some other chips have come along to keep it company and so I'm starting to care less!

James.

 

[Richbuckle]

Ah, heartening answers! - I think I'm just having a bit of a hypochondriac day.

I suppose I won't be able to use my M6 as a substitute Nikonos any more once it begins to 'zinc' at the edges.