Topic: Advice on re-skinning / replacing leatherette on an a SX-70

[This-is-damion]

Hi,

Im fairly sure there are a few people here who will have bags of experience...   I have an old SX70 and the leatherette is mainly white dust..  horrible stuff.  I have bought some replacement covering and im inthe process of taking off the old leatherette.   Some of it has come off in nice big chunks and other parts im basicallyhaving to scrape it off and from checking on Youtube that seems fairly standard.   My main issue is all the glue underneath..how do i get that off?  the videos ive seen online are all german/american and so im wondering if theres any household product that I should be looking for? 

Any other tips / tricks would be appreciated!

[Pete_R]

Depends on the type of glue maybe but I use IPA to clean off old glue. Not an instant solution and still needs some rubbing and scraping but it usually get's it off.

When fitting the new ones, wet the sticky side first to stop them instantly sticking. Gives you time to adjust the position.

[Pete_R]

Aki-Ashai has a good how-to on his site for the SX-70 at http://aki-asahi.com/store/html/sx_replace/replace.php

Is that where you got yours from? Did you go for the cherry wood?

[This-is-damion]

just went for a plain black, came from Hugo Studio in the US...annoying ended up getting hit for import duty...doubled the cost.

Thanks for the link though!   one question...where it says soak with alcohol....  does it literally mean i can use the bottle of jack daniels i have in the cupboard?...possibly a stupid quesiton but one im asking....

Whats IPA?    Im guessing this kind of stuff -  (from Amazon) Hexeal IPA 99.9%  Lab Grade | Isopropyl Alcohol/Isopropanol

Would WD40 work do you know?



 

[Kai-san]

Stay off the Jack Daniels (at least for this purpose), 99% isopropyl is what you need. I'm a bit worried about the word "soak", I don't think getting any of this into the camera will do any good, especially not the Jack Daniels. 

[Pete_R]

just went for a plain black, came from Hugo Studio in the US...annoying ended up getting hit for import duty...doubled the cost.

Thanks for the link though!   one question...where it says soak with alcohol....  does it literally mean i can use the bottle of jack daniels i have in the cupboard?...possibly a stupid quesiton but one im asking....

Whats IPA?    Im guessing this kind of stuff -  (from Amazon) Hexeal IPA 99.9%  Lab Grade | Isopropyl Alcohol/Isopropanol

Would WD40 work do you know?

IPA=India Pale Ale or, in this case, Isopropyl Alcohol. No, the Jack Daniels won't work but it might make the whole process much more pleasant. Definitely don't use WD-40.

[Francois]

I wouldn't use WD-40 as it leaves a greasy residue that will prevent the new stickers from adhering.
If you don't have Isopropyl, you can use Goo Gone. It's pretty good, especially if you remove the residue with something else after it (it's a bit oily).
Lighter fluid also takes most glues off and leaves the surface ready.

And if it's a metal body camera, you can even use acetone (nail polish remover). This will remove everything off the surface and leave it ready for the new covers.
But if the camera is plastic, it will melt a hole in it!

[Pete_R]

Stay off the Jack Daniels (at least for this purpose), 99% isopropyl is what you need. I'm a bit worried about the word "soak", I don't think getting any of this into the camera will do any good, especially not the Jack Daniels. 

I don't think I would soak it as Aki says either. I keep IPA in a spray bottle and spray some on a paper towel and rub it over the glue. An old toothbrush soaked in IPA can also work, especially for getting into corners.

[This-is-damion]

thanks all!   so im looking for IPA and stick to drinking the booze?     Sounds like its important not to mix this up.

Ive orered some IPA!   will update with progress

 

[Kai-san]

thanks all!   so im looking for IPA and stick to drinking the booze?     Sounds like its important not to mix this up.

Ive orered some IPA!   will update with progress

Drinking the booze is not mandatory!  Good luck!

[Francois]

You know the old saying: Don't drink and stick...