Zorki 3M - cleaning advice please

[celtic light]

Hi all - request for help from new member.

Just received vg condition Zorki 3M from 1955 which is in excellent condition. My first RF, but visually all seems to be working and adjusted well. Bought to use, just waiting for initial batch of film to arrive.

But - the black body covering (leather??) has a slightly "tacky" feels which spoils the handling experience, and I am afraid I will transfer this to other parts of the camera during use. What is recommended method of cleaning to remove this, short of replacing the covering altogether??

So far have limited cleaning to barely moist microfibre cloth, not wanting to risk damaging the material. Apologies if I have missed advice already on the forum, but any suggestions or links gratefully received.

Thanks for reading

 

[Sid836]

It seems that humidity has destroyed the cover of the body of your zorki. Try moisten it with a 90% isopropyl solution and when dry store it in a completely dry place until it turns hard again. There are also other solutions as "StickyNoMore", but more or less they do the same thing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oIe3SrcugE)