Caring For Bellows

[kamera]

We all can appreciate how the bellows on folding cameras can dry out and tear with age or misuse.

I have several folders in my collection with I do not use due to film for them no longer produced. Also have a few that I do use.

My practice has been not to for an indefinate period of time keep the bellows closed or open, but rather to move it in and out. I also slightly coat it with Armorall, which is a silicon product for auto viny and rubber detailing.

I also use that product in moderation on camera leather.

The results on bellows and leather keeps them limber.
Have yet to have either dry out or crack on me.

Ron Head
Kalamazoo, MI

[David Silver]

The keys to prolonging the life of any bellows are to avoid prolonged exposure to UV (sunlight), avoid leaving the bellows stretched out to it's full length, and keep them clean. There are all sorts of things you can "feed" a bellows to add or replace lost natural oils, but most of this feeding becomes necessary only because the other keys were violated. Obviously, when you're out shooting, the bellows are extended and exposed to sunlight. But that's when they SHOULD be extended and exposed. The point is to NOT leave the camera open on display in direct sunlight, and keep the bellows relaxed in its infinity focus position or even further back if possible. Gawd, I cringe when I see classic cameras with their bellows pulled clear out to practically double extension when on display! People think it looks "impressive", but not when those bellows start to sag! It fatigues the fabric, offers a greater surface area to collect dust, and allows the glue to dessicate! Gosh darn, push those bellows back in!

Dave

[kamera]

Dave elaborated mentioning two points which I neglected. The UV/sunlight and the open storage of a bellows.

Either my ol' age or merely because of my storage habits becoming second nature. There is no direct access for the sun in my den and I just automatically do not stretch the bellows out full length, thus helping to keep them limber as I mentioned.

Thanks, Dave, for picking up where I left off!!!

Ron Head
Kalamazoo, MI

[craigh]

Armorall, that's a good idea. I have a Kodak DUO 620 (I think!). I leave it folded, but I'll spray it for protection. I also have a bellows that I use for my SLR that's also folded when not in use & that will get sprayed also.

Craig

[David Silver]

Armorall is good, but once you start you have to use it regularly AND use it sparingly! There is something about Armorall that reacts with UV, over time sunlight triggers a catalytic reaction, and VERY quickly it turns bad and does the opposite of its intended purpose. Poof! I use an application called Venetian Cream (comes from Chicago in gallon tubs, but you can buy small jars from Fargo/Microtools on the internet). It's just the right balance of oils and dyes, and leather (and leather-like materials) love it. Plus it's water soluble, so if it dries out in the jar you can easily revive it. I use a Q-tip to gently rub it into the bellows, let it dry a couple of miunutes, and then buff it carefully with a very soft shoe brush (obviously a small one so you can maneuver around the angles). Fargo/Microtools always has the black in stock, but if enough orders go through they will get red or brown as well.

Dave

[kamera]

Craig,

No...do NOT SPRAY Armorall or anything else on the bellows...or other camera leathers for that matter. You will use way too much and it will make a mess on other parts.

I use a soft cloth SLIGHTLY moistened to put it on camera leather and bellows. On the bellows you do need to follow up with a Q-tip. And as Dave mentioned, you lightly buff all once dried.

The product Dave mentions sounds most interesting and I will have to try and get some of that.

Ron Head
Kalamazoo, MI

[craigh]

Thank you for the info. Don't worry, I do not have Armorall around the house & when I do use it I'll spray it on a cloth.

Craig

[Just Plain Curt]

Thanks for the info, both on bellows treatments and on storage. I used Armor All once on a Kodak but unfortunately it had a red bellows, now two toned red due to too much ending up in the bellows folds. Sadly, I've been storing 90% of my folding cameras in the extended (but not fully) positions for many years. Hope the damage I may have caused isn't too bad. Now to close the Voigtlander RF, Recomars, Retinas and Baldas before they incur more damage...oops.