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[Rangemaster]

Okay, I purchased this speed, which I have dated to around 1939, on the back of the viewing hood, someone had taped a couple of pieces of thin cardboard and covered the entire hood with masking tape several years/decades ago, of course, I thought the reason was because the leather was gone, well low and behold, the leather is still present in very good shape, problem is small bits of glue and tape remain around the outside edge, I am wondering if someone has any suggestions for removing this residue without damageing the leather?

Thanks in advance.

Dave

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Focus on the Picture, Not on the Glass.
Satin Snow(TM) Ground Glass

[Henry]

Dave, try neats foot oil. Apply generously (within reason!) with a soft cloth and wait a while (few hours?) for the oil to be absorbed into the leather and under the tape and residue. Hopefully then you'll be able to gently remove the gunk with a fingernail.

Disclaimer: I don't own a Speed and haven't tried this, but I do know that leather loves neats foot oil. Good luck!

[45PSS]

Mostenblockers Lift Off #2, Krud Cutter for adheasives, or Goo Gone which leaves an oily residue.(in order of usage preferance)
Wash with isoproyl Alcohol and treat with Lemon Pledge, Lexol or other leather conditioner after removing the residue.
Contact me if you can not find the products in your area.
Charles


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The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

[disemjg]

The worst offenders encountered are masking and/or adhesive tape, which of course has turned to stone. Frequently the tape itself is gone but the hardened glue remains.

The best solvent for this is denatured alcohol; unfortunately this will aslo destroy the paint on Graphics. Up to a point you can cautiously use it on leather surfaces, but it can take the stain out and possibly damage the underlying glue holding the leather on the body. Apply a bit of the alcohol to the glue you are trying to remove, keeping it isolated to the glue as much as possilbe. Do not saturate the surface. Let it sit for a few minutes to soften the old glue, then try wiping the softened goo off the body. Repeat again if no serious side effects are seen on the leather. Once finished use the neatsfoot oil on the overall camera and wipe down with a soft cloth.

Do not use the alcohol on plastic surfaces, either.

The Goo-Gone is wonderful stuff and I use it all the time, but it has not worked on the old masking and adhesive tape residue for me. It is the only thing to use on plastic surfaces. Do NOT confuse Goo-Gone with Goof-Off, which is a more widely available solvent. The Goof-Off will take ANYTHING off of ANYTHING, and unless you are working on a bare metal or glass surface it cannot be considered for use.