Camera refinishing

Volvospeed · 05-13-2008, 10:05 AM

Old Burke & James I have is beat the hell and I have two other ones so I figured I would refinish it. Everyone says they do not refinish that well but I figure whats it hurt to try. I guess I am jealous I cannot afford a Chamonix or Deardorf. Anyways:

Base taken apart

Top sanded down

Color I decided on:

I need to steelwool it out then will apply 1-2 coats off imron clear. All the metal bits I have polished up with tripoli. Should has some more rough pictures tonight. Thoughts so far?

Ian Grant · 05-13-2008, 10:13 AM

It looks good, should be a vast improvement over the Battleship Grey

Be interesting to see more.

Ian

Steve Smith · 05-13-2008, 10:13 AM

Makes me wonder why it was ever painted.

Steve.

DannL · 05-13-2008, 10:25 AM

I like what you are doing to your camera. Excellent job so far. Here's an image of the damage I did to mine recently . . .

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7487667@N06/2409483196/

But, now looking at the perty wood on yours, I think I'll strip it and shellac it. Notice how I cut off the tops of the front standard pillars using a miter saw.

Dann

Ian Grant · 05-13-2008, 10:39 AM

Steve, surprisingly Agfa Ansco sold a Deluxe version of their 10x8 Universal View Camera in Battleship Grey, with Nickel plated metal parts, it was $100 in 1941, $17 more than the much nicer wood and brass version. After the US Government seized Agfa Ansco after Pearl Harbour the cameras changed and they were all Battleship Grey.

So it seems Battleship Grey was thought better than natural wood

Ian

KenS · 05-13-2008, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Volvospeed

Old Burke & James I have is beat the hell and I have two other ones so I figured I would refinish it. Everyone says they do not refinish that well but I figure whats it hurt to try. I
Thoughts so far?

When I decided that WWII US Navy Surplus Battleship grey was not a colour that I considered beneficial to the looks of my 8x10 B&J, I removed their dastardly deed with "circa 1850" paint remover (at least that's what I think the date was) at a table close to the door to the deck to get some relief from the fumes when I found that the remover 'dried' too fast outside. I was delighted to find nice maple, which responded beautifully to a rubbing down with some steel wool. The two coats of tung oil (applied with folded cheese cloth rather than the usual brush) have stood up extremely well. I would not hesitate to recommend a similar treatment. That being said... perhaps an "ugly" grey camera might be a less attractive to "disappearing" from the back seat of your car.

Ken

Volvospeed · 05-13-2008, 07:19 PM

Too much clear coat LOL.

Jim Fitzgerald · 05-13-2008, 07:58 PM

This turned out very nice. Good job. As a camera builder I can appreciate fine wood. I don't understand why someone would paint such fine looking wood. This is an excellent job. Something about the look of a restored wood to its natural finish. The patina makes you a better photographer!!! Not really but it is a nice feeling of accomplishment when you are done.

Jim

papagene · 05-13-2008, 08:30 PM

It looks really nice. You certainly did a very fine job with this project.

gene

Steve Smith · 05-14-2008, 02:02 AM

That looks fantastic.

Steve.