TIL a neat trick for cleaning old lens helicoids without taking them apart

I had a stuck 50mm lens from the 70s and had to pick between soaking the whole barrel in solvent or trying to work lighter fluid in with a tiny brush. I went with the brush method, and after about 20 minutes of careful work, the focus ring turned smooth as new. Has anyone else found a good way to free up old grease without making a huge mess?

3 comments

3 Comments

jana_hart1818d ago

Warming it up first is a solid idea, honestly.

bennett.jana18d ago

You know, I used to skip that step. But warming it up first really does make a difference.

rubyshah18d ago

Wondering if you tried heating the barrel first with a hair dryer. Sometimes warming the old grease makes it flow enough to get the lighter fluid in deeper without as much brushing.