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Cleaning barrel of lenses.
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Feb 17, 2018 15:48:17   #
repleo Loc: Boston
 
Any tips on light cleaning of the outside barrel and lens shade etc of a lens? I would like to restore that immaculate matte sheen that seems to disappear as soon as you take it out of the box. Are there any waxes or polishes that would work? I have found plenty of articles on cleaning the glass, but not much on the plastic and rubber parts.

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Feb 17, 2018 15:58:41   #
rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA
 
repleo wrote:
Any tips on light cleaning of the outside barrel and lens shade etc of a lens? I would like to restore that immaculate matte sheen that seems to disappear as soon as you take it out of the box. Are there any waxes or polishes that would work? I have found plenty of articles on cleaning the glass, but not much on the plastic and rubber parts.

Why? What are you hoping to accomplish??

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Feb 17, 2018 16:12:15   #
bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA
 
I use a little Zeiss lens cleaner to slightly moisten (not dampen) Zeiss microfiber towel/rag. Walmart has them in the eyeglass department.

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Feb 17, 2018 16:17:35   #
Swede Loc: Trail, BC Canada
 
rehess wrote:
Why? What are you hoping to accomplish??


I'd like to see the answer also

Swede

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Feb 17, 2018 16:21:15   #
Bill_de Loc: US
 
I use the premoistened Nikon lens cleaning sheets. They are the same as Zeiss and other brands. Then I wipe them down with a microfiber cloth. I only do this if they are noticeably dirty, not to keep them looking new.

Maybe if you contact someone who does refurbishing you will get exactly what you want. Many people who buy refurbs say they look brand new.

--

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Feb 17, 2018 16:52:57   #
repleo Loc: Boston
 
rehess wrote:
Why? What are you hoping to accomplish??


Getting ready to sell. They are in great condition so I don't want to risk messing them up with any trial and error method.

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Feb 17, 2018 17:47:14   #
bellgamin Loc: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
 
bsprague wrote:
I use a little Zeiss lens cleaner to slightly moisten (not dampen) Zeiss microfiber towel/rag. Walmart has them in the eyeglass department.
Sounds feasible. Does the lens cleaner in any way harm the white lettering on the barrel?
~~~~~~~~~~

by the way... when I saw the topic's Title: "Cleaning barrel of lenses" I thought the OP had a barrel of used lenses to clean out (sell) so I came running to search for bargains. But the actual subject is also very interesting so ... 😁😄😇

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Feb 17, 2018 18:23:13   #
rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA
 
bellgamin wrote:
when I saw the topic's Title: "Cleaning barrel of lenses" I thought the OP had a barrel of used lenses to clean out (sell) so I came running to search for bargains.

I thought exactly the same thing.

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Feb 17, 2018 18:30:09   #
bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA
 
bellgamin wrote:
Sounds feasible. Does the lens cleaner in any way harm the white lettering on the barrel?


No. This is pretty mild stuff. Not only is it supposed to work on the glass part of camera lenses, but eye glasses with various coatings too.

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Feb 17, 2018 21:28:10   #
RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA
 
repleo wrote:
Any tips on light cleaning of the outside barrel and lens shade etc of a lens? I would like to restore that immaculate matte sheen that seems to disappear as soon as you take it out of the box. Are there any waxes or polishes that would work? I have found plenty of articles on cleaning the glass, but not much on the plastic and rubber parts.

Manchester Anti-Static “Plasti-Cleaner” is probably as good as anything. Any eyeglass cleaner that’s safe for plastic lenses should also work.

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Feb 18, 2018 07:03:20   #
rstipe Loc: S. Florida
 
To clean the crap from fingers on the rubber parts, I use nail polish remover & an old toothbrush. Looks like new.

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Feb 18, 2018 07:18:22   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
repleo wrote:
Any tips on light cleaning of the outside barrel and lens shade etc of a lens? I would like to restore that immaculate matte sheen that seems to disappear as soon as you take it out of the box. Are there any waxes or polishes that would work? I have found plenty of articles on cleaning the glass, but not much on the plastic and rubber parts.


If the lens loses its sheen as soon as you take it out of the box, I would be more concerned about your lungs than your lens. My lenses look like new after years of use. I just wipe them with a clean cloth occasionally.

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Feb 18, 2018 07:28:41   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
repleo wrote:
Getting ready to sell. They are in great condition so I don't want to risk messing them up with any trial and error method.

If you are going to sell your lens, clean with a lens cloth, nothing else. Your lenses are used, buyers know that, clean with a cloth, I usually breath on the lens (adds a little moisture) and wipe clean, then take your shots. Make sure you note any scratches and show close ups of them, other wise say the lens is clean and clear of marring but the lens is used and may show normal wear. Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.

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Feb 18, 2018 08:10:15   #
markmmmm
 
A smart camera store owner once told me if you put something on the outside of the lens, it ends up in the lens. He would not take a lens of mine on trade because I had obviously cleaned it.

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Feb 18, 2018 08:17:35   #
Architect1776 Loc: In my mind
 
repleo wrote:
Any tips on light cleaning of the outside barrel and lens shade etc of a lens? I would like to restore that immaculate matte sheen that seems to disappear as soon as you take it out of the box. Are there any waxes or polishes that would work? I have found plenty of articles on cleaning the glass, but not much on the plastic and rubber parts.


Lightly damp cloth and toothbrush to get all the little nooks clean like new and a dry cloth before you retract the barrel.
Has worked for decades for me with never a problem, do the same with my camera bodies, some are decades old and no problems.

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