Fixed a seized shutter on a 1960s Ricoh this morning, felt good

Had a 1960s Ricoh Singlex come in with a shutter stuck solid. Turned out to be old lubricant turned to glue in the cold. A little naptha and patience got it moving again. Anyone else run into old lubes turning into concrete?

3 comments

3 Comments

nancyw972mo ago

Started with a little heat from a hairdryer to soften the gunk before the naptha bath, worked like a charm. That old grease really does turn into a nightmare when it hardens, especially in colder weather. It's amazing how a little solvent and some patience can bring a fifty year old camera back to life.

grace_bailey1mo ago

Used to think heat would ruin the shutter but you totally changed my mind lol.

riley_taylor2mo ago

Ronsonol lighter fluid works even better than naptha for dissolving that old hardened lubricant.