Found a fix for a sticky shutter on an old Pentax K1000

Had a K1000 come in with a shutter that would not fire. It was stuck halfway. Took the top plate off and saw the problem. The mirror return gear was gummed up with old grease. Cleaned it with a tiny drop of lighter fluid on a cotton swab. Worked like new after that. Anyone else have a go-to cleaner for old grease in mechanical cameras?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_taylor10d ago

Great tip about the naptha. I've had good luck with a drop of isopropyl alcohol on the gear train of an old Spotmatic. It evaporates clean and doesn't leave any residue behind.

the_taylor10d ago

Used to swear by lighter fluid for everything. The alcohol trick changed my mind for the smaller gears. It just works better on those old camera parts.

betty_wells10d ago

Lighter fluid works but can dry out the plastic parts over time. A tiny bit of naptha on a swab is a bit safer for the old stuff.