E.L.. Shapiro wrote:
The musty odour is most likely mildew, a kind of mould (fungus) that is often found on old equipment.
There are various chemical cleaners that will clean and deodorize surfaces that have been contaminated with mildew. Here is a link to a company that specializes in those products:
https://www.achooallergy.com/cleaning-products/mold/allertechr-all-purpose-nas-12-cleaning-solution-2.html
There is another product that is obtainable at hardware stores called "Mold Control" that I have used successfully on old cameras. Just small about spearing applied and then whipped off with a clean damp rag and the carefully wiped dry will usually do the job.
Ordinary cleaners and deodorants will not work. They might temporarily mask the bad smell but it will come back.
Some years ago, I inherited a couple of dozen old cameras for the estate of an uncle who operated a studio established in 1922 and still had someof the original gear in storage. The wooden bodieses and leather coverings were the source of the bad odour. The aforementioned cleaners did the job surprisingly well.
The musty odour is most likely mildew, a kind of m... (
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I'll check these out. Thanks!