I just chiselled and scraped off the flaking vulcanite on an m3, used nail polish remover to clean off remaining adhesive, and am ready to recover the body. I am aware from former messages noting the MicroTools products (Either Pliobond adhesive on Moroccan Grain Leather, or 9465 double-stick tape on Vinyl leatherette). I'm also aware of John Collier's good experience with having Leica Repairs recover one of his m's.

In looking at possibly doing it myself, I have the following questions: 1. It appears that I'll have to at least remove the Self-Timer lever and the Stop-Down Preview lever to recover the body. They both have two round indentations on their fronts for a removal tool to fit; does anyone know where I can buy an adjustable tool, or how I can make do with household tools? Any tips on not screwing this up would be helpful. 2. Does anyone know if I can purchase pre-cut (to body size and with lever and screw punchouts) leatherette or leather for an m3? (John Collier's experience may answer this). 3. Does anyone have any tips on recovering using the Pliobond/leather, or double stick tape/vinyl leatherette from MicroTools? 4. Is the consensus out there that it would be anathema to cover an m3 in brown leather or even tan leather? Thank you, Lonny Matsuda llhw@maine.rr.com

-- Lonny Matsuda (llhw@maine.rr.com), November 11, 2001

Answers

This sounds like an M3 'project' that somebody will be able to buy cheap at some point. ;)

-- Steve LeHuray (icommag@toad.net), November 11, 2001.

Indeed - Lonny, STOP NOW! You will regret your actions and wish to turn back the clock. Even if you have the absolute correct (and Leica Factory specification) tools it takes knowledge and skill to dismantle any part of a Leica. I speak from experience as one who thought he had that knowledge! I didn't! I wish I had not been tempted!

From your description of the frame selector lever as "the Stop-Down Preview lever" I would politely suggest you leave well alone.

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), November 11, 2001.

I recovered my IIIa with the self-adhesive stuff, and it looks pretty good, but there were a couple of places that would turn out better the next time. There are people who will do the job for about $75, and I would pay one of them to do your M3. I actually doubt you'd mess up the camera, but I also doubt that you'd do a good enough job the first time around to justify saving the $75. My IIIa is a junker, I professionally work on a similar scale, and have tools, but there's a learning curve for this job, and I doubt you want either to do a crappy job (my IIIa doesn't care), or re-do it three times before it comes out just right.

-- Michael Darnton (mdarnton@hotmail.com), November 11, 2001.

Thank you all for your responses. No, I'm not trying to recover the m3 to sell cheap. I bought it to shoot, and didn't mind it being cosmetically bad. It sounds like it's not a "do it yourself job," so I'll go the route of finding an experienced person to do it. Any specific names and phone numbers of recommendations would be appreciated. Thank you, Lonny Matsuda

-- Lonny Matsuda (llhw@maine.rr.com), November 11, 2001.

For anyone interested I did contact Dave Elwell, Parts & Tech Info. at Leica Camera, New Jersey. They do sell precut replacement covers ($49 for the m3, which includes the rear cover), and will also do the entire job for a fixed fee. His e-mail address is: dave.elwell@leicacamerausa.com.

-- Lonny Matsuda (llhw@maine.rr.com), November 13, 2001.