Originally posted by clickclick I have a set of these, and have found them to work well. Perhaps a difference in the compound.
It really looks like the same set I have, but perhaps not. My set has been completely useless so far.
---------- Post added 07-14-21 at 08:47 AM ----------
Originally posted by niceshot ZIPPO LIGHTER FLUID can be your best freind.
Originally posted by arnold Isopropyl Alcohol really frees up sticky parts better than anything else I have used.
Originally posted by niceshot MEK OR ACETONE,BUT mEK is better
Zippo lighter fluid (or Ronsinol) works great, but Coleman "white gas" camping (lantern/stove) fuel works just as well and is way cheaper if you are going to be doing this kind of thing often.
Acetone also work great, but is total overkill for this, and you risk stripping the paint or melting any plastic parts - acetone is the solvent of choice for removing really difficult adhesive on camera leatherette.
MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone) is extremely hazardous and I urge you to stay away from it at all costs. It should not be sold to sold consumers IMHO. I spent 16 years in the hazardous materials cleanup industry, and had to know all about the toxic effects of chemicals like this for my job. Use Acetone with care only if lighter fluid or white gas wont work for you, but even Acetone should not be needed for this kind of work.
Isopropal alcohol has very limited utility in camera service and repair. It can be used for a light cleaning of outside surfaces of things, or for lens elements prior to reassembly, but I use Coleman fuel for almost all of this kind of thing now as it works better and is more multi-purpose.
Everything I have said above has been told to me by highly respected classic camera restoration experts, and verified by me personally in a couple dozen complete lens and camera teardowns and restorations.