How to clean corrosion (leak damage) from your vintage photo equipment
I plan to go on a couple of trips soon and I want to bring my vintage camera with me. My film camera allows me to take photos and be present at the same time. I take a photo and I can’t see if it’s good or not. So I keep enjoying whatever I’m doing without thinking to get the “right shot”. I also like it because it makes me feel like I’m not working.
Besides my camera, I also want to bring my speed light in case I want to use my camera at night. My flash has been stored away for years and when I found it, it had corrosion all over it. (All the white stuff that kinda looks like snow). I learned how to get rid of it. Here are some tips in case it happens to you too.
THINGS YOU WILL NEED
Old toothbrush
White vinegar
Q tips
Screwdriver
Paper towel
STEP 1:
Use an old toothbrush to scratch off all the visible corrosion. (Use gloves if you have a pair)
STEP 2:
Dip a Q tip into white vinegar and clean the corrosion that has been left behind. You will likely hear a sizzling. That means is getting rid of the nasty chemicals. I also covered a screwdriver with paper towel, dipped it in white vinegar and used it in hard to get spots.
STEP 3:
Hopefully, the corrosion hasn’t damaged your equipment further and you are able to use it! If you see a bit of rusting after cleaning it, you can file down.
PS: Wash your hands if you didn’t use gloves.
Hope this helps!
Celia