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Photo Forum / Film Photography / Darkroom / March 2005

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Polish glass carrier?

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jjs - 23 Mar 2005 14:15 GMT
It's come to this. I need to polish an old glass carrier (Leitz Focomat IIa)
to get rid of some fine 'something' that's spotted it. This is my only
spare. I was thinking of using Maguire's fine Plexiglas polish. No?
Gregory Blank - 23 Mar 2005 14:52 GMT
> It's come to this. I need to polish an old glass carrier (Leitz Focomat IIa)
> to get rid of some fine 'something' that's spotted it. This is my only
> spare. I was thinking of using Maguire's fine Plexiglas polish. No?

Why plexi polish? I would think a commerical Vinegar based glass cleaner
or even Vodka would work as well or better.

It is after all glass and not plexi, the cloth you use is probably more
important, I would use soft cotton "Non lint producing" rather than
any paper or paper towel product. You could probably use lens cleaner
fluid for that matter.

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dan.c.quinn@att.net - 23 Mar 2005 23:51 GMT
Bon Ami. Clean hands only. It has a talc like grit
and should be safe. Bon Ami, since 1886. Dan
David Nebenzahl - 24 Mar 2005 00:32 GMT
On 3/23/2005 2:51 PM dan.c.quinn@att.net spake thus:

> Bon Ami. Clean hands only. It has a talc like grit
> and should be safe. Bon Ami, since 1886.

I'd say not. Abrasive on glass? Not what you want to use, unless it's
absolutely unavoidable. And then you're basically into resurfacing the glass,
which is not trivial.

I second the earlier motion for vinegar (or even vodka). Hey, not only is
vodka OK for vegetarians (it contains no meat), it has no abrasives!

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dan.c.quinn@att.net - 24 Mar 2005 01:36 GMT
> On 3/23/2005 2:51 PM dan.c.quinn@att.net
>
> > Bon Ami. Clean hands only. It has a talc like grit
> > and should be safe. Bon Ami, since 1886.
>
> I'd say not. Abrasive on glass?

 Only a suggestion that Bon Ami and it's talc like material.
Talc registers a one on mohs scale of hardness while glass rates
a five. I think it will be safe to use but I'd proceed with
caution. Dan
Scott Coutts - 24 Mar 2005 02:02 GMT
>>On 3/23/2005 2:51 PM dan.c.quinn@att.net
>>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> a five. I think it will be safe to use but I'd proceed with
> caution. Dan

Glass is pretty resiliant, so any cleaning products should be fine. I'd
use dish washing detergent and a cloth, then wash in water. If it doesnt
come off, then go buy some metho from the hardware shop. It will just
evaporate off or you can also wash that off with water. If you have
enough spare vodka for cleaning, I suggest drinking it instead (:
Richard Knoppow - 24 Mar 2005 22:51 GMT
> It's come to this. I need to polish an old glass carrier
> (Leitz Focomat IIa) to get rid of some fine 'something'
> that's spotted it. This is my only spare. I was thinking
> of using Maguire's fine Plexiglas polish. No?

  Have a look at the surface using a magnifier and a light
source you can shine at various angles. See if its scratched
or if the marks are just on the surface. Its also possible
the glass has been coated with something, perhaps to
eliminate Newton's rings.
  If its something on the surface, and you are sure its not
a coating try any of the "streak-free" glass cleaners first.
If this doesn't work, try 99% Isopropyl alcohol (available
at many drugstores). If that doesn't work try Acetone.
Acetone is a standard cleaner in optical assembly. Some
petrolium based materials may come off with Naptha. Naptha
is available as lighter fluid, like Ronsonol.
  If the surface is scratched you may not be able to polish
it out with any readily available material. Bon Ami won't do
it. Its possible the Plexiglas polish might work but
Plexiglas is much softer than glass plus it flows a little
when polishing tending to help fill in cracks. The problem
is that any abrasive capable of removing the scratches will
also turn the holder into ground glass.
  As a last resort you may be able to get optical glass
flats from Edmund Optical or some similar company. Optical
glass is clear when viewed sideways. If the holder is green
when so viewed thin window glass will do the trick at a much
lower price.

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---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA
dickburk@ix.netcom.com

dan.c.quinn@att.net - 24 Mar 2005 23:26 GMT
> The problem is that any abrasive capable of removing the
> scratches will also turn the holder into ground glass.

 That's true. I suggest Jeweler's rouge. The finest
of abrasives are used to give the finish to optics.
 That should put an end to any qualms in using a
correct abrasive to clean glass. Dan
Bob  AZ - 25 Mar 2005 03:36 GMT
Be careful with this. The glass maybe AntiNewton and thus the finish
you have maybe be deliberate.

Bob  AZ
Phuels - 25 Mar 2005 16:20 GMT
> Be careful with this. The glass maybe AntiNewton and thus the finish
> you have maybe be deliberate.

Thanks to all who responded. One side is AN glass - the one with the spots.
:(  I'll try the mild acetic route and if it doesn't work, Gin or Vodka to
make the problem seem less daunting.
Richard Knoppow - 26 Mar 2005 02:51 GMT
>> Be careful with this. The glass maybe AntiNewton and thus
>> the finish
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> if it doesn't work, Gin or Vodka to make the problem seem
> less daunting.

  Dishwashing detergent is a better choice. If the coating
is plastic of some sort this won't hurt it. The problem is
if the coating has been damaged cleaning it won't help.
Anti-newton-ring glass is available from a number of
sources, for instance try Bob Watson, who responded earlier
in this thread. Bob repairs enlargers of all sorts and has
parts for many. rwatson767@aol.com

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---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA
dickburk@ix.netcom.com

 
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