Sigma Lens white print dirty
Mar 26, 2013 09:51:32 #
hfb
Loc: Northwestern Louisiana
Any safe way to clean the white numbers on an old Sigma lens? The lens is fine for use, it just looks bad. A few of the numbers are still clean. I got it cheap, KEH UGLY. Any suggestions on a safe way to clean it? I don't want to damage the white numbers. Any known safe solvents?
Mar 26, 2013 10:10:47 #
Mar 26, 2013 13:27:37 #
hfb
Loc: Northwestern Louisiana
JR1 wrote:
Cotton bud damp
I tried that first with no help. I then tried Isopropyl and this lightened it up a little and removed the white paint in a few places. I am calling it good enough.
Thank you for your suggestion.
Mar 26, 2013 13:38:25 #
hfb wrote:
Any safe way to clean the white numbers on an old Sigma lens? The lens is fine for use, it just looks bad. A few of the numbers are still clean. I got it cheap, KEH UGLY. Any suggestions on a safe way to clean it? I don't want to damage the white numbers. Any known safe solvents?
How about a toothbrush?
Mar 26, 2013 14:04:52 #
hfb
Loc: Northwestern Louisiana
jerryc41 wrote:
How about a toothbrush?
Thank you for the suggestion
I tried the toothbrush, wet and dry first. I think someone used the lens with greasy hands and the grease slightly melted the paint. An AE1 can be used without looking at the Aperture and Focus distance so I am going to use it as is.
Mar 27, 2013 02:03:07 #
hfb wrote:
Thank you for the suggestion
I tried the toothbrush, wet and dry first. I think someone used the lens with greasy hands and the grease slightly melted the paint. An AE1 can be used without looking at the Aperture and Focus distance so I am going to use it as is.
I tried the toothbrush, wet and dry first. I think someone used the lens with greasy hands and the grease slightly melted the paint. An AE1 can be used without looking at the Aperture and Focus distance so I am going to use it as is.
Did you use tooth paste, a very mild abrasive?
Mar 27, 2013 05:36:18 #
Try a Q-tip dipped in whitening mouthwash. Sounds wierd but it takes the collar marks off white dogs. (what? something wierd from the wierdphotoguy?)
Mar 27, 2013 09:22:50 #
sassman3629L
Loc: South Florida
An old solution to cleaning old coins or metal parts. Use baking soda dampened to make a paste. Use a very soft toothbrush work in a circular pattern to hide the tiny scour marks. Test on a small area to test results. I have cleaned old things to where marks which had been hidden for years were legible.
Be careful to not clean something that might lose value (coins) when cleaned!
Sonny
Be careful to not clean something that might lose value (coins) when cleaned!
Sonny
Mar 27, 2013 09:29:48 #
sonnyrobertson wrote:
Be careful to not clean something that might lose value (coins) when cleaned!
Sonny
Sonny
True. Money laundering can get you into trouble.
Mar 27, 2013 09:31:44 #
Mar 27, 2013 10:12:29 #
hfb
Loc: Northwestern Louisiana
I tried Clorox bleach on a Qtip. Several passes then let it dry. Repeated a good many times. Fixed the problem. A $20 UGLY lens from KEH is now nice lens from KEH.
Thank you all for the suggestions.
Thank you all for the suggestions.
Mar 27, 2013 10:43:57 #
hfb wrote:
I tried Clorox bleach on a Qtip. Several passes then let it dry. Repeated a good many times. Fixed the problem. A $20 UGLY lens from KEH is now nice lens from KEH.
Thank you all for the suggestions.
Thank you all for the suggestions.
You could probably sell it back to them at a profit. :D
Mar 27, 2013 11:50:54 #
I bought a old lens on Ebay a few months back, and the markings were worn off. I like to see what the lens focal lenth is for some of my subjects, so used a paint I found at my gunsmith. Not only does it really show up, but glows in the dark. It comes in bright orange, white, and bright blue. Each jar comes with a small brush in the lid.
Mar 27, 2013 11:54:00 #
Bill Emmett wrote:
I like to see what the lens focal lenth is for some of my subjects, so used a paint I found at my gunsmith. Not only does it really show up, but glows in the dark.
I hope it's not radioactive. :D
Mar 27, 2013 13:01:30 #
Thanks for your concern Jerry. I'm sure it is not radioactive, but just a very bright paint with lots of titanium in the mix. It is actually made for painting gun sights. I have used it on my Glock, and Walther PPK sights. The paint is good for shooting in very low light situations, when accuracy is a must.
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