how to make my canon dslr look like new (again)?

my 5d/5dii has gone through quite a long time with me, and it has some battle scars on it (scuffs here and there). i was just wondering what's the best type of paint (or other materials) that i can use to restore its condition to like-new?

in addition, is there anything i can use to 'polish' the exterior as well? i've seen some 2nd-hand camera shops restore the condition and it was impressive! but they refuse to tell me the 'secret', so i'm trying my luck here.

anybody?

Black shoe polish?

Sorry, couldn't resist. I would just clean it up good and wear them as a badge of honor. My opinion is this stuff was made to use.

black shoe polish wears off easily after mid-term usage. lol. actually i'm thinking of selling my 5d1 and buyers nowadays are pretty fussy about these details, so i was thinking it'd be good if i could restore the condition before selling it to them.

We used black heel and edge dressing on our Sam Browne police belts years, years, years ago. My Marine Corps son says there's something better out there now that they used on their boots etc.

But I agree with the previous poster that shiny spots show a well worn gun. I mean camera..

I think they buy a new shell from Canon. I had Canon replace the top of my old trusty t1i when I sent it in for service when the shutter failed. Top half looks new =) Bottom half like its fell off a truck

the.forumer wrote in post #15336007
black shoe polish wears off easily after mid-term usage. lol. actually i'm thinking of selling my 5d1 and buyers nowadays are pretty fussy about these details, so i was thinking it'd be good if i could restore the condition before selling it to them.

If that is the case, then I would suggest you try not hide the real condition of the camera. That's bordering on dishonesty and makes for a problematic transaction. If you just wanted to spruce it up for yourself, I can understand that...but to hide it's actual condition is just wrong if you are planning on selling the camera.

Hogloff wrote in post #15336250
If that is the case, then I would suggest you try not hide the real condition of the camera. That's bordering on dishonesty and makes for a problematic transaction. If you just wanted to spruce it up for yourself, I can understand that...but to hide it's actual condition is just wrong if you are planning on selling the camera.

i'm not sure why you would consider that as 'hiding the actual condition'. in the first place, the working condition is perfect, it's just the exterior has a bit of minor flaws here and there, making it less appealing than a 1st hand camera.

if i was the buyer, i wouldn't mind the seller helping me to do that..

the.forumer wrote in post #15336680
i'm not sure why you would consider that as 'hiding the actual condition'. in the first place, the working condition is perfect, it's just the exterior has a bit of minor flaws here and there, making it less appealing than a 1st hand camera.

if i was the buyer, i wouldn't mind the seller helping me to do that..

Would you be telling people it's been "spruced up?" If not, it's dishonesty because the exterior would not match the interior. It's akin to fixing up a wrecked car and not telling the buyer it had been wrecked.

the.forumer wrote in post #15336680
i'm not sure why you would consider that as 'hiding the actual condition'. in the first place, the working condition is perfect, it's just the exterior has a bit of minor flaws here and there, making it less appealing than a 1st hand camera.

if i was the buyer, i wouldn't mind the seller helping me to do that..

What some buyers look for or consider "OLD" is ridiculous

I has 2x canon 7ds for sale.. One with 8k shutter count and one with 9.5k shutter count..
Somehow the 9.5 k shuttrr counf body was considered "older" and by the offers, worth around $200 (aud) less..

Dont think its hiding the actual condition if you give it a clean up

the.forumer wrote in post #15336680
i'm not sure why you would consider that as 'hiding the actual condition'. in the first place, the working condition is perfect, it's just the exterior has a bit of minor flaws here and there, making it less appealing than a 1st hand camera.

if i was the buyer, i wouldn't mind the seller helping me to do that..

True if and only one if you disclose that you "reconditioned it" to the seller. It is a little known fact that man attributes the initial value of something to how it looks to them often more than just how it might work, especially electronics.

I guess it wouldn't matter if you dated somebody that looked 25 with the clothes and makeup she wore, but later in the date you find out she is 45 once the makeup came off and the 5 hour energy drink was out of her system. Sure things still work on the inside but now you realize there was a lot more wear and tear than you were led to believe with less life left in the long run. I would think if there wasn't initial disclosure you could become a little miffed at the lack of honesty up front.

Look after it better in the first place!

dallasxr6 wrote in post #15336756
What some buyers look for or consider "OLD" is ridiculous

I has 2x canon 7ds for sale.. One with 8k shutter count and one with 9.5k shutter count..
Somehow the 9.5 k shuttrr counf body was considered "older" and by the offers, worth around $200 (aud) less..

Dont think its hiding the actual condition if you give it a clean up

i can't agree more. there are really very fussy buyers out there. there can be people who tell me "this doesn't feel right in my hands and it feels better on the same model i tried out at ABC store" or "because there's a small dink here, i want 200$ off".

that's precisely the point why i want to keep it in tip-top condition or at least maintain the exterior well. of course i would disclose up front that the exterior has been restored.. and besides, a lot of people judge the 'oldness' first by the shutter count.

alright, nuff' said. can we get back on the topic please?

Hogloff wrote in post #15336250
If that is the case, then I would suggest you try not hide the real condition of the camera. That's bordering on dishonesty and makes for a problematic transaction. If you just wanted to spruce it up for yourself, I can understand that...but to hide it's actual condition is just wrong if you are planning on selling the camera.

I agree with the above. Price it adequately for it's condition, but changing it's looks because you weren't careful with it is absolutely dishonest unless you disclose you did so and the reason you did it.

what if he goes all in, and gets a new shell for the body, and swaps that on? is that absolutely dishonest? does that somehow make the camera more reliable/less used, even though it is a completely superficial change?

ride5000 wrote in post #15337189
what if he goes all in, and gets a new shell for the body, and swaps that on? is that absolutely dishonest? does that somehow make the camera more reliable/less used, even though it is a completely superficial change?

If he discloses it, it doesn't matter what he does. If he keeps it a secret, that's worse. Internals are more important than cosmetics, and by replacing the shell just for resale you're hiding its true condition.