Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/09/16
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]It is my understanding that the original black paint used on Leicas was an automotive laquer that was used on Mercedes Benz cars. I've also been in touch with Youxin Yee about his black paint. Originally, he was using Testor's paints, which wore off quite easily. His later efforts continued using Testor but only for colours, while he began using a more durable automotive paint for black. I agree with Vick that the way to go is with a paint that will wear, even if a powder coat may be more durable, as I see beauty in the edge wear of black paint cameras. For the same reason, I prefer that the cameras be stripped down to the brass before painting, as nothing screams "fake" as loudly as the glint of chrome on the worn parts of a black paint camera. Mark