Rescued SPIIa: STOP camera cruelty and abuse!

**ismaelg** · 10-20-2020, 06:03 PM - **9 Likes**

Hello,

Enough is enough! Stop camera cruelty and abuse! Report it if you see it! Don't be an accomplice!
Just rescued this Spotmatic IIa that was left for dead. Before doing anything to it I had to reassure it "Don't worry, you are safe now". It seems it was abused and probably kidnapped because somebody tried to change its identity to a black SPIIa.

*WARNING* STRONG IMAGES:

Yes, that is GREEN paint!

So... this came out of nowhere. Saw it on ebay, lowballed just the price of shipping and got it. Haven't worked on it but the black paint is very thick. Maybe oil paint like the one you use on iron gates. Yikes! The shutter fires at all speeds and sound correct. This will take some elbow grease.
Stay tuned...

Thanks,

Last edited by ismaelg; 11-05-2020 at 06:14 AM.

Unregistered User 8 · 10-20-2020, 06:40 PM

Originally posted by ismaelg

*WARNING* STRONG IMAGES:

Looking forward to seeing the " before and after " images of this little ones makeover and repair.............................

PS. The hot-shoe mount looks a bit wonky too.

**ramseybuckeye** · 10-20-2020, 06:41 PM

You've got some heavy duty restoration ahead. I notice that the hotshoe looks skewed. I have no doubt you'll have this thing looking pretty and working smoothly, I can't wait to see the completed photos.

Lhorn · 10-20-2020, 07:06 PM

You must be a masochist to take on a project like that when other, less labor intensive projects are available for so little money. I look forward to the “after” pictures.

dbs · 10-20-2020, 08:21 PM - **1 Like**

But But ....... its only black for stealth mode

Astro-Baby · 10-20-2020, 11:19 PM

Please consider donating to the League Against Camera Cruelty.....

Thats going to be a mission to get the black paint off without wrecking the original paint.

titrisol · 10-21-2020, 05:35 AM

The SPIIa was produced in smal quantities! Good luck with that!

**ismaelg** · 10-21-2020, 09:27 AM - **4 Likes**

Hello,

Sedated and rushed into surgery.

Already spent a couple hours fighting the unknown black paint. After a lot of experimentation I found 91% IPA mixed with a little non-acetone nail polish remover softens the paint and it seems it is not affecting the original surface. But it still needs to be carefully scraped. I'm seeing scratches under the black paint. Maybe it was roughen up before painting. Disassembly and removing the top was needed to access all the black paint.
The green paint is proving to be a bigger challenge so I'll fight that later.

The left side already has about 2 hours of work (and the reason why I'm sleepy at work today)

Is it me or is it already smiling?

Yeah, I need help. I'm not normal

Thanks,

Astro-Baby · 10-21-2020, 10:55 AM - **2 Likes**

Ismael, its tough to know what the paint is but I had something similar on telescope tube years back and found very hot water, not quite boiling would cause the paint to break down and turn into a gel.
Whatever the paint was I was dealing with it was resistant to most chemical I tried and ai couldnt use anything like powerful paintstripper for fear of damaging the enamel work underneath the bodge paint job.

Some hot water, thick gloves and a spong were what got it off in the end. Might be a help to you.

**ismaelg** · 10-21-2020, 11:18 AM

Thanks! I'll check on that!

**MossyRocks** · 10-21-2020, 01:10 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by ismaelg

Is it me or is it already smiling?

I think it is liking the care you are giving it.

**Sam_I_am** · 10-21-2020, 01:43 PM - **1 Like**

Oh...my...word...

Maybe D.O.T.3 brake fluid for the metal pieces.

Try a little enamel reducer diluted with water, and test a corner of the leatherette with a q-tip. That might take the green off.

35mmfilmfan · 10-21-2020, 02:52 PM - **3 Likes**

If you ever find the perpetrator of this outrage, make the punishment fit the crime - paint them all over, then hand them a blow-torch ...

**pentaxus** · 10-21-2020, 10:16 PM - **1 Like**

Maybe just cover the green with black shoe dye.

womble · 10-22-2020, 06:08 AM - **1 Like**

No doubt you'll have her looking pretty again. If the green paint defeats you, you could consider some new custom clothes.

K.

10-20-2020, 06:03 PM - 9 Likes	#1
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,683	Rescued SPIIa: STOP camera cruelty and abuse! FINISHED Hello, Enough is enough! Stop camera cruelty and abuse! Report it if you see it! Don't be an accomplice! Just rescued this Spotmatic IIa that was left for dead. Before doing anything to it I had to reassure it "Don't worry, you are safe now". It seems it was abused and probably kidnapped because somebody tried to change its identity to a black SPIIa. WARNING STRONG IMAGES: Yes, that is GREEN paint! So... this came out of nowhere. Saw it on ebay, lowballed just the price of shipping and got it. Haven't worked on it but the black paint is very thick. Maybe oil paint like the one you use on iron gates. Yikes! The shutter fires at all speeds and sound correct. This will take some elbow grease. Stay tuned... Thanks, Last edited by ismaelg; 11-05-2020 at 06:14 AM.

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10-20-2020, 06:40 PM	#2
Unregistered User 8 Closed Account Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,694	Originally posted by ismaelg WARNING STRONG IMAGES: Looking forward to seeing the " before and after " images of this little ones makeover and repair............................. PS. The hot-shoe mount looks a bit wonky too.

10-20-2020, 06:41 PM	#3
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,294	You've got some heavy duty restoration ahead. I notice that the hotshoe looks skewed. I have no doubt you'll have this thing looking pretty and working smoothly, I can't wait to see the completed photos.

10-20-2020, 07:06 PM	#4
Lhorn Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 554	You must be a masochist to take on a project like that when other, less labor intensive projects are available for so little money. I look forward to the “after” pictures.

10-20-2020, 08:21 PM - 1 Like	#5
dbs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Clare Valley S A Photos: Albums Posts: 7,565	But But ....... its only black for stealth mode

10-20-2020, 11:19 PM	#6
Astro-Baby Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Reigate, Surrey Posts: 764	Please consider donating to the League Against Camera Cruelty..... Thats going to be a mission to get the black paint off without wrecking the original paint.

10-21-2020, 05:35 AM	#7
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,853	The SPIIa was produced in smal quantities! Good luck with that!

10-21-2020, 09:27 AM - 4 Likes	#8
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,683 Original Poster	Hello, Sedated and rushed into surgery. Already spent a couple hours fighting the unknown black paint. After a lot of experimentation I found 91% IPA mixed with a little non-acetone nail polish remover softens the paint and it seems it is not affecting the original surface. But it still needs to be carefully scraped. I'm seeing scratches under the black paint. Maybe it was roughen up before painting. Disassembly and removing the top was needed to access all the black paint. The green paint is proving to be a bigger challenge so I'll fight that later. The left side already has about 2 hours of work (and the reason why I'm sleepy at work today) Is it me or is it already smiling? Yeah, I need help. I'm not normal Thanks,

10-21-2020, 10:55 AM - 2 Likes	#9
Astro-Baby Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Reigate, Surrey Posts: 764	Ismael, its tough to know what the paint is but I had something similar on telescope tube years back and found very hot water, not quite boiling would cause the paint to break down and turn into a gel. Whatever the paint was I was dealing with it was resistant to most chemical I tried and ai couldnt use anything like powerful paintstripper for fear of damaging the enamel work underneath the bodge paint job. Some hot water, thick gloves and a spong were what got it off in the end. Might be a help to you.

10-21-2020, 11:18 AM	#10
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,683 Original Poster	Thanks! I'll check on that!

10-21-2020, 01:10 PM - 2 Likes	#11
MossyRocks Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,982	Originally posted by ismaelg Is it me or is it already smiling? I think it is liking the care you are giving it.

10-21-2020, 01:43 PM - 1 Like	#12
Sam_I_am Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Toledo, OR Posts: 851	Oh...my...word... Maybe D.O.T.3 brake fluid for the metal pieces. Try a little enamel reducer diluted with water, and test a corner of the leatherette with a q-tip. That might take the green off.

10-21-2020, 02:52 PM - 3 Likes	#13
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 4,338	If you ever find the perpetrator of this outrage, make the punishment fit the crime - paint them all over, then hand them a blow-torch ...

10-21-2020, 10:16 PM - 1 Like	#14
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,320	Maybe just cover the green with black shoe dye.

10-22-2020, 06:08 AM - 1 Like	#15
womble Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Hertfordshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,324	No doubt you'll have her looking pretty again. If the green paint defeats you, you could consider some new custom clothes. K.