Re: [Leica] Rubber paint for coating old coating shutters

[P2CON@aol.com]

Javier writes:

<< Hi
 I'm about to buy some sort of flat black rubber paint used on patios
 to recoat some pinholed shutters on several old cameras, including
 an S&M Leica or 2. I guess that if I thin it out it should work. Does
 anybody know if this is the right stuff to use? >>

Javier, I will give you my recent experience with this problem. I tried some 
automotive asphalt based undercoating paint, (thinned to brush paintable 
consistency) and found it to be very slow to dry, and with a tendency to 
soften when exposed to direct sun on the camera body. I was able to clean it 
off completely so no harm done. Then at the local art supply store I found a 
black acrylic paint that could be mixed with a textile medium from the same 
company, and was recommended for painting on fabric to produce a washable and 
highly flexible finish. I have used this on three old Canon rangefinder 
cameras with great success. In each instance the shutters were so far gone 
with light leaks that the cameras were unuseable. They are all now light 
tight.

I have no idea how long the repair will last as all were treated in the last 
year.
Perhaps others will give their experiences as well.

Regards, Paul Connet