Taking Enlarger out of storage

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ATIPPETT - 07 Jul 2004 00:41 GMT

I was given an enlarger that had been stored for about 10 years in a semi arid
area. It was stored in a garage. The humity here is relalitively low. What
would be suggested for a general clean up? I has a mild musty odor. Does any
one have a recommended approach to put this into service. What if anything
should be done to the bellows?

Alan Tippett

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Fil Ament - 07 Jul 2004 02:54 GMT

> I was given an enlarger that had been stored for about 10 years in a semi arid
> area. It was stored in a garage. The humity here is relalitively low. What
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Alan Tippett

First you may inspect it for cracks, rub the outside of the bellows
material with something like Armour All,.....or wax. Tape any cracks.
Check all knobs & metallic shafts to insure they are lubed. Vaseline works well
or other light weight lubricant. If the enlarger has a counter balance spring maybe
apply some vaseline to the coil spring while the head is lowered, using something like
a medium size paint brush,....A thinner coat of vaseline is better.
Vacuum out the light box, dust off any stored lenses. Rub down the metal body with
glass cleaner?

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Norman Worth - 18 Jul 2004 06:53 GMT

Check the alignment, too.

> > I was given an enlarger that had been stored for about 10 years in a semi arid
> > area. It was stored in a garage. The humity here is relalitively low. What
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> Vacuum out the light box, dust off any stored lenses. Rub down the metal body with
> glass cleaner?

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John - 07 Jul 2004 03:42 GMT

>I was given an enlarger that had been stored for about 10 years in a semi arid
>area. It was stored in a garage. The humity here is relalitively low. What
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
>Alan Tippett

It would depend on what the bellows was made of. I just use a
little Armor All on mine every couple of months. If yours is made of
leather you may consider saddle soap. Certainly open the head up and
vacuum out the spiders and such.

Regards,

John S. Douglas, Photographer - http://www.darkroompro.com
Please remove the "_" when replying via email

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