Yes, we do! If you’re looking for a specific camera, send us a request. Often, cameras are spoken for before they are completed.

There are several factors to consider when determining the timeline for camera restoration. The extent of cosmetic issues such as dings or dents, the need for a complete overhaul (including issues like inaccurate shutter speeds or curtain replacement), and the use of custom paint colors all play a role.

We prefer to paint cameras in batches for efficiency and consistent quality, which may occasionally result in a wait to build a sufficiently large batch. If a complete overhaul is required, this can further extend the timeline depending on our technical partners’ workload. Alternatively, you can opt for our restoration services first and then have the camera serviced by a technician of your choice after painting.

As of June 2024, for paint-only services without additional repair needs, we recommend allowing at least three months. However, timelines can vary based on the specific requirements of your camera and our current workload. Rest assured, we prioritize prompt service so you can return to capturing moments with your camera as soon as possible.

First, we document every detail of your camera and review any specific flaws you want addressed. Then, we get written confirmation of EXACTLY which parts you want painted. (Check out our portfolio page to see examples of stylish mixes of painted and chrome parts.)

Next, we disassemble and catalog all the parts before stripping off the chrome and nickel plating. The parts are meticulously prepped and cleaned in a blasting cabinet to remove any residue that could affect paint adherence. This step can be quite time-consuming as many parts are very tiny and tricky to handle in the blast cabinet.

We also protect all screw threads, as excess paint on these fine threads can cause major headaches during reassembly. Just like painting a car, a quality paint job depends on the quality of the preparation. Once the surface is properly prepared, the paint is applied and the parts are heat cured.

After that, we inspect every part in detail and strip and repaint any that don’t pass our rigorous standards. Finally, we move on to engraving fill-in and reassembly, provided your camera has had a completed CLA or doesn’t need one. Whew! It’s a lot of work, but the results are worth it.

We do! All paint job conversions receive a one year warranty. This doesn’t cover cosmetic issues caused by accidents, neglect or abuse but does cover any errors on our part such as re-assembly errors and such. Our technical partners include warranties on any optical or mechanical work and CLA service.

Our offices and facilities are located in a 40×30 steel building on seven acres in the Texas Hill Country a little south of Austin, Texas, USA. Our service partners are located in various US locations.

Absolutely! We can guide you on how to safely ship your treasured gear to the USA, as well as instruct you on how to prepare documents so as to avoid customs fees.

While most customers prefer a traditional semi-gloss black finish, matte black is also a popular choice. However, if you’re feeling adventurous, we have access to a wide variety of colors for those who want something a bit more wild. We love experimenting with color combinations and patterns, so if you have any crazy ideas, share them with us! We’ll work with you to create a unique design that truly stands out. Don’t forget to join our mailing list to get notified when we post our latest projects on the blog.

Depending on the issue, we can often address it at our Texas location during the paint process, eliminating the need to ship your camera to one of our technical partners.

We mostly paint Leicas and other rangefinders, although we have painted many others including Olympus Pen F and FT SLRs, Canon Demi half-frames, and more. For Leica screw mount bodies, our preference is to work with Leica IIIc and newer. For Leica M film cameras, we’ve even painted the CL. We will even tackle the M5 and M6. (In fact we are looking to restore an M6 with the notorious ‘bubbling’ on the top plate, please contact us if you have one. These cameras do not have traditional brass top and bottom plates so they require different techniques.) Currently, we have several projects in the pipeline, such as a Contax T rangefinder, Nikon S2, and various Olympus and Nikon SLRs.

That said, we can paint almost any vintage 35mm camera model if you have a trusted technician who is skilled at disassembly and reassembly and is willing to collaborate with us. Due to the number of queued paint projects, it’s best we concentrate on paint and prep and let other experts handle the rest!

If you have a special request for personalized laser engraving, drop us an email and let’s talk about it! If you have a graphic in mind, as long as it can be rendered in vector format, we can probably laser engrave it. We can digitize signatures, logos, and other graphics, convert them to vector files, and engrave them at your desired location on the camera. We also can do test engravings so you can see how it will look before committing it to the camera.

Yes, some of the viewfinder improvements such as replacement viewfinder glass or beamsplitter replacements we can do in-house as part of a paint project. Other upgrades or repairs require specialized attention and are outsourced to our technical partners.

Each camera restoration project is unique because it involves a variety of factors that affect the complexity and scope of work required. Differences in the extent of cosmetic damage, such as dings or dents or engravings, which parts will be painted and which will not, the choice of custom paint colors or combinations all contribute to the variability. Additionally, the specific restoration goals of the owner can significantly impact the process. Each project demands a tailored approach to achieve the desired results. Drop us an email with a few photos of your camera and what customizations you are looking for and we can reply with a quote!

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