Painting Instructions by Bobby

  From the picture, these painted cameras look okay.  In reality, the finish is far from perfect. 

Overall, I’m happy with how they turned out.  The finish is holding up well too.

 Keep in mind there are better materials to use, and methods to paint your camera.  This is the most practical way for me.   

 Take your time, and have fun with it.  Make your own notes.  These are general instructions.

MATERIALS: 

• 1 spray can of etching primer.
• 1 spray can of Krylon Camo paint or Krylon Interior/Exterior paint.
• 1 small bottle of flat black paint.
• 120, 220 grit sand paper.
• Automotive rubbing compound.
• A fine tip, and a ¼ inch wide paint brush.
• Masking tape.
• Exacto knife, razor blade, ect.
• Respirator………not a dust mask!
• Latex gloves.
• Degreaser (I used isopropyl alcohol).
• A clean old t-shirt for rags.

STEP 1:  Sand the chrome parts with 120 grit sandpaper.  Spend at least 5 minutes per part.  Don’t expect to remove all, or any of the original finish.  You may see some patches of brass, but don’t expect to see a lot of it. 

• Be careful not to grip the parts too hard when you're sanding.  You could bend them easier than you think. 
• Don’t apply too much pressure with the sand paper also.

STEP 2:  Wash with soap and water and rinse well. 

STEP 3:  To remove the paint from the body I like to scrape it off with a small screwdriver (less messy).  It will flake off very easy if it’s the original paint.  If it’s not original paint, use 220 grit sand paper.

When that’s done, wipe down with a degreaser. 

STEP 4:  Taping is difficult to explain, so here are a set of pictures instead.  Just make sure you use are using masking tape.  For parts you don’t want painted, tape it off and trim the excess with a sharp razor blade, utility knife, ect.

• When it’s all masked off, double or even triple check the tape around the edges are stuck down well. 

  This is what you’ll need.

1

2.

3.  Cut the extra tape off with a sharp utility knife.

Here’s another view from a different angle.

Now do the same to the other side.

4. Use the utility knife to trim around the flash sync.

Use your thumb nail to trace around the lens flange.  Now do the same to the other side.

Here is another view.  

5. The red box is where another piece of tape was placed.  Again, use your thumb nail to trace around the lens flange and trim off the extra tape.

  6. Use small pieces of tape to cover up any areas that are still exposed on the strap lugs and flash sync.

It should look something like this when it’s done. 

Do the same to the back plate.

7. Use a piece of paper and tape to cover the back.

8. The red box is where the viewfinder is.  Cut a small piece of paper the size of the viewfinder and stick it on with tape.  Do not apply tape on the actual glass of the V/F.

This is done to prevent overspray from hitting the v/f and to avoid getting tape residue on it.

  9. Try to use one long piece of tape, cover the top. 

Make sure the seal is tight at the bottom and there are no holes where overspray can get in. 

Take your time with this step.

10. Run a couple strips of tape on the bottom of the camera.

When you’re finished taping, it should look something like this. 

Make sure the tape is sticking well. Double check around the edges.

The back plate should look like.

Here’s the top view of the back plate.

STEP 5:  Put on latex gloves and wipe all parts twice with a degreaser before you paint.  From this point on leave the gloves on whenever you handle these parts. 

STEP 6 APPLYING ETCHING PRIMER AND FINISH COLOUR: 

WARNING!!!

• Make sure you wear a respirator and not a dust mask whenever you are using spray paint.  If you don’t have one…get one.  Also, make sure you have proper ventilation.

Follow the manufactures instructions on how to apply, and when to re-apply the etching primer and colour paint.  Always, make sure the surface is dry, clean and lint free before you spray.  Even one piece of lint will be noticeable when you spray on the primer or paint.  Make sure your working area has good lighting.

Spray on the etching primer first.  When you get 100% coverage, spray on the colour next.  These basic instructions apply to both primer and finish colour.

• Remove the glove from the hand you use to spray with.  Overspray can build up on your finger tip and drip on your parts.
• Start spraying a few inches before the part, and stop spraying a few inches away from the part.
• Spray many light coats until you get 100% coverage.
• Don’t try to get 100% coverage on the first or second pass.  Several light coats are better than one or two thick coats.
• Shake the spray can after every pass of etching primer or colour paint.
• If you have to pick up a part for some reason, make sure you have the latex gloves on and the paint is dry enough to touch (approx 10 minutes).
• This is optional………apply 2 light coats of etching primer inside the top plate on the VF/RF area.  100% coverage isn’t necessary here.  This is for the “flat black” paint you’ll be applying with a brush to cut down on internal reflections.

NOTE:

• Finish all the spraying the same day.  This makes removing the tape easier/neater.
• Remove all the masking tape 5 minutes after you have sprayed the last coat of colour paint.  Make sure you have 100% coverage before you remove the tape.
• Let the paint dry for 5 days before you start STEP 7.

SPRAYING THE SIDES OF THE CAMERA BODY:

Spray the sides of the camera in a 45 degree angle because the back of the camera isn’t fully covered.  Spray the sides of the removable back cover the same way.

STEP 7:  To paint the engravings, use model paint with a fine tip paint brush to apply. 

This is what you will need.

1. Apply a light/thin coat of paint. 

Don’t put too much paint on your brush. It should almost be dry.

Wipe off the excess paint with a rag.  Don’t use too much pressure or you’ll wipe the paint out of the engravings.

After 15 minutes, apply a second thin coat of paint and wipe off the excess. 

It’s hard to tell with these pictures but the colour is deeper.

2. Wait 2hrs for the paint to dry.  Use rubbing compound to remove the white paint residue from the wiping. 

Don’t use too much pressure when you’re using the rubbing compound. 

It should look like this when you’re done.  

Now apply rubbing compound over the entire top and bottom plate to even out the low gloss look around the engravings.  Clean off parts with a slightly damp rag.

I don’t bother applying rubbing compound on the body of the camera.  I think the slight offset in the colour looks better.  It’s up to you.

OPTIONAL:

• Paint the VF/RF top plate area flat black with a ¼ inch paint brush.  This should cut down on internal reflections.  This is a tip from a RFF member…Laika (thanks).

• Do this after you applied the rubbing compound on the entire top/bottom plate. 

With the top plate still off the camera, taped around the V/F.  Make sure the tape is stuck very well along the edge of the V/F.  Use a small paint brush to apply flat/matte paint. 

Don’t put too much paint on the brush.  Try to apply the paint with as few strokes as possible.

NOTE:  Wait for the paint to fully dry before you assemble your camera.  If you painted the V/F top plate or the area around the V/F give it 3-4 days to dry.