Old timer at Wolf Camera told me to flush a shutter with lighter fluid, finally did it

This guy Bob who used to work at the Wolf Camera in Atlanta told me last year to use Ronsonol on a sticky shutter blade set on a Canonet. I thought he was nuts and went with ultrasonic cleaning instead. Shutter still stuck after three passes. Finally tried his trick two weeks ago and it worked perfect on the first go. One drop, fired it 20 times, and it's been smooth ever since. Anyone else ever get advice that sounded too sketchy to try but actually worked?

3 comments

3 Comments

black.oliver2d ago

82 year old retired mechanic told me to use brake cleaner on a seized Mamiya lens. Worked like magic. Sometimes old school chemicals just work better.

smith.lee2d ago

Damn, I'll admit I used to write that off as hack stuff but you just proved me wrong. Brake cleaner is way more effective on old gummed up stuff than I ever gave it credit for.

joseph_green132d ago

Yeah brake cleaner is basically just strong degreaser with a fast evaporating solvent. Works great on old camera gears and helicoids just gotta make sure it doesn't sit on any plastic parts too long or it'll eat em.