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[Fallisphoto]

Handle is also missing.
 
Like I said, red rotted leather is fragile.
 
Is there much of a problem with the leather shrinking after you soak it off?
 
Very little. Soaking it in various solutions is part of the tanning process, so it ha

[Dxqcanada]

Hmm, I have been thinking about this now for some days ... I have never re-covered a wood box camera like this before, so I am a little overwhelmed by the concept.
 
I've only done recovering of TLR's using leatherette.
 
Not sure where

[Dxqcanada]

I am going for stabilizing the leather with Cellugel.
 
I will fix the missing groundscreen.
 
Replace the fabric hinge ... what do you think of Binder Tape ?
 
Clean up the brass and wood.

[Marty]

Some would argue.  Fallisphoto is obviously more experienced than I.  However, I'm with attempting to stabilize the leather.  I don't stack my cameras anyway, and one can always go back and remove the old leather.  Once it's gone though, it'

[Fallisphoto]

If you're not sure, or don't have the skills needed, then I'd stabilize it. That will at least keep it from getting worse or damaging anything else. Oh yeah, by the way, the dust (powdered rotten leather) from the thing is sometimes toxic to

[Irshsmiles]

HI ..I RECONDITION ANTIQUES OF ALL KINDS AND FIX THEM ALSO....I HAVE FOUND 'DOC BAILRY'S LEATHER TONIC-CLEANS, NOURISHES AND PROTECTS..BROUGHT SO MANY LEATHER ITEMS BACK TO LIKE..AWWII BOMBER JACKET FROM THE ADMIRAL ON A USS CARRIER..HIS JACKET LOOK

[Dxqcanada]

Thanks for the info.
 
But have you encountered this type of Rot ?

[Fallisphoto]

Irshsmiles,
I restore antiques too, mostly cameras and clocks, and this is a nightmare for a restorer. This is red-rotted leather. It has pretty much deteriorated to powder form, and is being held together by the leather sealer (probably a varn

[Fallisphoto]

A little more information for those who are interested:
 
Products like Cellugell and Klucell are not leather restoratives, but stabilizers. They will not make the leather usable or even flexible. Nothing will do that. They just stop it from gettin

[Marty]

Thanks for that.  It might not be perfect, but there's a time and a place for everything.  About that toast...  I think I'll pass...