In my last post on my proposed Kodak 2D restoration, I had stripped down the baseplate, as a “test case” to see if my skills were anything like good enough to warrant proceeding any further. I’ve done nothing like this before! Having rubbed the baseplate down as much as I was going to, I tested a couple patches with a “Dark Oak” and “Yew” stain, tester pots purchased from ebay, on a bit of old scrap wood. The Yew was better, so I made the decision to stain the base plate with 2 coats of Yew. It looked OK, the yellow of the Yew tempered the remaining red that was original, and I ended up with a colour that not only could I live with, but actually quite liked. I then applied a coat of quick dry satin varnish, let it dry, did the lightest of rub over with 120 grit sand paper and applied a second coat. I’m happy with the result and am proceeding with that as the plan going forward.
I reassembled the wood with the cleaned brass bits and here are some before and after comparisons:
I’m pleased with the results and will now move on to the bed of the camera proper, the bit that allows focus, and supports the actual camera parts! I shall tackle this part with a tiny bit more confidence, having learned so much from this little lump of wood!
S.H.O.U.T. 