I fixed a 1985 Canon AE-1 Program shutter that had been 'cleaned' with WD-40

The owner brought it in last month saying it was sticky, and the whole gear train was gummed up with dried lubricant. I had to do a full strip, clean every part in solvent, and re-lube it properly with the right grease. How do you guys handle cameras that have been messed with by people using the wrong stuff?

3 comments

3 Comments

garcia.jake25d ago

Saw a video where a guy used lighter fluid to clean a sticky Minolta shutter. He just put a few drops on the gears and worked it back and forth. It actually got it running smooth again, at least for a while. That seems like a decent quick fix for some cases, but a full clean is always better if you have the time.

quinnm7725d ago

Man, that's a full rebuild... sounds like a lot of work. Sometimes you can save time if it's just the slow shutter speeds. I've had luck just flushing the escapement with a little lighter fluid on a toothpick to break up the gunk, then a tiny drop of clock oil. It gets it running again without a full tear-down. Not for every case, but it's saved a few cameras from the parts bin.

quinn60625d ago

Yeah I saw a guy on a forum say he uses naptha for that same trick. Seems like a good first step before going all in. You ever try that stuff?