Seals in film cameras deteriorate over time.
Degraded film camera light seals can let light leak through the camera film door or viewfinder and ruin your pictures. Because light seals are made from foam rubber, they can become gooey and sticky over time. They can stain the mirror bumper, film door and film rails. The foam can also crumble and get on your film, ruining your photographs. The stickier or more crumbly the seal gets, the harder it is to clean. Luckily, replacing a camera light seal is not difficult.
Instructions
1. Open the film door. Dip the cotton swab in window cleaner, and clean the film door until it's not sticky.
2. Scrap off the foam by the door hinge with a toothpick.
3. Scrap off the foam at the other end of the door with a toothpick.
4. Use a dental pick to remove the tape that held the foam in place.
5. Clean the spots where you removed the foam with window cleaner using a cotton swab to remove any residue.
6. Use a small flat-head screwdriver, such as a jeweler's screwdriver, to clean out the film door mating groove. Make sure none of the debris gets into the camera. Hold the camera over a paper towel to collect the debris. If you don't have a small enough screwdriver to get into the groove, use a toothpick. Put cleaning solvent on a cotton swab, and dab it on the rubber seal to loosen.
7. Measure and cut (if necessary) the replacement foam for the film door and hinges. Using tweezers, put the foam into the groove. Make sure the foam stays straight and does not rotate. Put a dab of glue on the ends, with a toothpick if necessary, to keep the seal in place.
8. Close the camera to make sure it closes properly.
9. Open the camera, and allow the glue completely dry.
Tags: film door, cotton swab, with toothpick, camera light, clean film, clean film door, groove Make