Hi, I just added a KM to my collection, though it's not in the most ideal of conditions. I mean, the mechanisms work well, shutter speeds check out fine, and surprisingly, the meter even works, though I'll still have the camera CLA'd for posterity measures.
Where the camera's lacking is in the aesthetics department. I'm fine with the camera as it is (everything working for $30, so I'm not complaining), but I just thought that maybe I could give it a bit more love and restore it some, if not fully.
Here's the thing. I don't think I'd want to have the camera rechromed by an auto shop locally, as they might inadvertently ruin something else with the camera, and the local camera repair shops do just that, repair, and nothing more. So I'll have to attempt to do the restoration myself. Is it possible for me to do the rechroming myself? And is it also possible to buy the same kind of paint used for the rewind knob and trimmings? Even alternatives would be good, it doesn't have to be all-original stuff, as long as it blends well with the remaining finish on the camera.
Also, it would be great if you guys can also share your own stories and pictures of restoring cameras, whether by your own hands or someone else's. Nothing like hearing success stories to push one's self to have more confidence to try their own restoration. Thanks!