Removing Bellows Intact

Anyone have any ideas on how to remove a bellows from a large format camera without tearing it? The goal is to remove the bellows carefully, refinish the camera, then reinstall the bellows. The camera in question is a B&J 5x7 factory finished in the hideous battleship gray color. The bellows is in excellent condition and would be a shame to destroy it because it cannot be removed from the camera . I have done a similar process to a B&J 8x10 but in this case the bellows was in very poor condition. Once the paint is removed the beautiful maple wood beneath will make for a handsome timeless camera.Thanks to all.

I assume you are referring to the rear standard, the bellows are bonded to the standard. Get some Mostenblockers Liftoff Tape, Label, and Adhesive Remover

Motsenbockers 22 oz. Tape, Label and Adhesive Remover-407-01 - The Home Depot

Saturate the bellows at the standard on all sides and let sit overnight to a few days with repeated applications until the bellows will separate easily from the standard. Once separated wash the bellows with Isopropyl Alcohol.

Use contact cement to reattach the bellows when finished. The bellows are the Outer covering of vinyl or leather, pleat stays of thin single layer cardboard/card stock, and the inner lining. If the bellows separate glue the back together using contact cement applied to one surface of the pleat stay and press in place on the outer covering while the glue is wet, apply another layer of glue and press the inner lining in place.

 

Other adhesive removers such as Goo Gone or GoofOff leave a difficult to remove residue. Lacquer thinner may dissolve the old glue but will likely damage the outer covering of the bellows.

Thirteen,

 

I finally had a chance to try your suggestion and it worked perfectly. Thanks so much.