I have purchased two cameras that had a thick greasey residue on the bellows in spots. I assume this is left over dressing. Can this be the case? Also what was used for preserving the bellows in days of old?

could be. I'd clean it off with some V&HP Naptha (a high grade of mineral spirits) and some cotton balls.

if its a pre-ann or any camera with leatherette bellows I'd use some lexol sparingly.

If its a anniversary or Pacemaker its not leather and I'd use Lemon Pledge.

I'm not sure what they used on the bellows, Several old timers used shoe polish on the out side. today I'd use a microcrystilline wax

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Les on 2002-05-07 12:57 ]</font>

No old timer ever used shoe polish--worse thing you could possibly do to a bellows or body leather on these cameras---it drys the leather out! The oldtimers did use Lexol for museum restorations however! I prefer Neatsfoot oil, for cleaning and preserving!
Sorry to dispute the comments above, as well intentioned as they may be, but there need be more dialog on this subject, before
we go any farther! Bert