Tried a different solvent on a sticky shutter and it actually worked

I had an old Canon AE-1 with a shutter that was sticking on the slower speeds, like 1/30th and below. Instead of my usual cleaner, I used a tiny bit of Ronsonol lighter fluid on a cotton swab, just on the pivot points. After letting it dry for about an hour, the curtain action was way smoother. I've heard mixed things about using it, but in this case, it did the job without any residue. Has anyone else had a good result with something unusual on mechanical shutters?

3 comments

3 Comments

mitchell.shane23d ago

Hold on, lighter fluid is a bad idea long term. It leaves a film that turns into gunk after it dries out, and it can eat away at any plastic or rubber bits inside that shutter if you're not careful. You got lucky this time, but you're basically flushing a solvent that was never meant for precision camera work into the mechanism. I've seen guys try that on leaf shutters and they end up with a tacky, greasy mess six months later that's way harder to clean than the original problem. WD-40 is even worse, that stuff is a penetrating oil and a dust magnet, it will turn your shutter into a sticky, gritty nightmare. Stick to proper naphtha based cleaners like Ronsonol if you're desperate, but even that's a hack - the right way is a proper camera oil like watch oil, not a fuel.

dixon.rose2mo ago

My grandpa swore by WD-40 for everything, even his old box camera. He'd spray a little on a cloth and wipe the hinges. It always made the shutter snap shut with a nicer sound, honestly.

rowan_anderson2mo ago

Wait, but is that even safe for the camera? Like I'd be worried about it messing up the old parts.