Removing funky odors from used gear? I tried searching the archives but nothing's coming up so far (maybe didn't dig deep enough?) I'm interested in feedback from those who have bought...

WAstinkbug Loc: Silverdale, WA, U.S.A.

I tried searching the archives but nothing's coming up so far (maybe didn't dig deep enough?) I'm interested in feedback from those who have bought used gear (camera) and managed a cure for imbued funky smells... stale musty, food smells, cigarette smoke, etc. I've been cursed with a sensitive sniffer. :-P I've ordered something to try but thought maybe there were people in the group that had a tried and true method. Just wiping down with a soapy washcloth isn't getting it done.

Thanks!

Dave327 Loc: Duluth, GA. USA

Baking Soda - 1 gal plastic bag with cloth over the powder for a week. Cloth keeps the powder off the stuff.

WAstinkbug Loc: Silverdale, WA, U.S.A.

Dave327 wrote:

Baking Soda - 1 gal plastic bag with cloth over the powder for a week. Cloth keeps the powder off the stuff.

So you're saying you put baking soda inside cloth "bags" inside a plastic bag with the gear in it? (Or maybe pour soda in the bag, cover with cloth and set the gear on top before closing the bag?) I'd worry a little about the powder but I know the power of baking soda when it comes to removing odors. If the stuff I've ordered doesn't make a dent... I'll consider trying soda in some way. It's cheap. :-)

Timmers Loc: San Antonio Texas.

There exists a product that has the name "Skunk-Off", we had it for use in the morgue at MD Anderson Hospital in the late 1970's. This takes out ANY odor. I don't know where you will locate the item but I bet a veterinary could or would know about this product. It cam in a vary small white dropper bottle with a 'Peppy-la-pue' like skunk on the bottle. One drop will remove the odor from a large trash bag of garbage.

WAstinkbug Loc: Silverdale, WA, U.S.A.

Timmers wrote:

There exists a product that has the name "Skunk-Off", we had it for use in the morgue at MD Anderson Hospital in the late 1970's. This takes out ANY odor. I don't know where you will locate the item but I bet a veterinary could or would know about this product. It cam in a vary small white dropper bottle with a 'Peppy-la-pue' like skunk on the bottle. One drop will remove the odor from a large trash bag of garbage.

I'll check it out... thank you!

gwong1 Loc: Tampa, FL

WAstinkbug wrote:

I'll check it out... thank you!

I had to look. http://www.thornell.com/product/skunk-off/
Google - https://www.google.com/search?q=skunk+off&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS865US865&oq=skunk+off&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.2708j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Gary

Timmers Loc: San Antonio Texas.

gwong1 wrote:

I had to look. http://www.thornell.com/product/skunk-off/
Google - https://www.google.com/search?q=skunk+off&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS865US865&oq=skunk+off&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.2708j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Gary

I worked for seven years at MD Anderson doing the pathology and research photography attached to the Department of medical Communications. I'm not going to tell you sensational things that will have no point. This product is 100% effective in removing any and all aromas no matter how intense. I have witnessed it use on several occasions. We used the small dropper bottle, about a 2 oz. size, no matter how intense no more than two drops were ever needed, usual one was all it took.

I did remember another source, funeral homes. When doing the pick ups from the hospital it was common practice, when needed, to place a drop of Skunk Off in with a patent when removing the subject to the funeral homes hurst. That said, I am fairly certain that you could get assistance from any funeral home with this.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Timmers wrote:

I worked for seven years at MD Anderson doing the ... (show quote)

That would only be appropriate if the camera died!

Mark

Timmers Loc: San Antonio Texas.

markngolf wrote:

That would only be appropriate if the camera died!

Mark

Ah! Senior Mark, BUT it would be doubly true if the photographer died! "They will get my camera after they pry my dead cold hands off the body!" Was it Dirty Harry who suggested that or in John Fords High Noon! film?

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Timmers wrote:

Ah! Senior Mark, BUT it would be doubly true if the photographer died! "They will get my camera after they pry my dead cold hands off the body!" Was it Dirty Harry who suggested that or in John Fords High Noon! film?

I think it was the slogan of the NRA. That's where I get off!
Mark

Timmers Loc: San Antonio Texas.

markngolf wrote:

I think it was the slogan of the NRA. That's where I get off!
Mark

My family got super pissed when I gave my friend VADA and her husband The Police 38 an uncle carried as a beat cop in New York for 30 years and never used. And the field gray 45 that my Uncle Thomas carried in Europe while in Patton's 3Rd Army Artillery. Three times he used it against the German troops and was wounded twice. My father had it when he died and I just did not need a side arm in my house.

So now there is a manly man who loves target practice, and he tells his buddies all about that Colt 45 military hand gun from WW II.

I actually did NRA while my father a doctor and Colonial in the Army. He was one of the trouble makers who defied Nikon's order to show proficiency with side arms for doctors during the Viet Nam Era. He was first on the firing range, emptied the clip into the sand in front of him along with the rest of his officers. Inherently, as a kid he hunted in rural Waterbury Connecticut for dear and such during the depression era. I'm sure he could get a high score on the target range but there was that Hippocratic oath thing.

Great guy Joe Summa.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

I've acquired a lot of old gear, and have used the baking soda and "Skunk Off" treatments. But I also am a believer in the success of sunshine for removing dampness and odors in general. I will leave an old camera out on my back day on a sunny but cool day for a couple of hours at a time, with open back and bellows at different times. Obviously, you don't want to leave it out on a windy day because of the possibility of blowing grit and particulates into it, nor on very hot days. But I've picked up some funky old gear, including some with very absorbent bellows, using this method.

Andy

Timmers Loc: San Antonio Texas.

AndyH wrote:

I've acquired a lot of old gear, and have used the... (show quote)

I totally concur with you on this idea! Sunshine and fresh air. When I lived in Southern Germany part of almost daily ritual was hanging the goose down comforter out the second story windows each morning. It was kind of endearing as a way to see this on my way to morning classes.

WAstinkbug Loc: Silverdale, WA, U.S.A.

gwong1 wrote:

I had to look. http://www.thornell.com/product/skunk-off/
Google - https://www.google.com/search?q=skunk+off&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS865US865&oq=skunk+off&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.2708j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Gary

Thanks!

I looked it up last night and saw that Amazon carries it. I think I'll do another cleaning with something more likely to get rid of smoke residue (safely) and go from there with deodorizing. Sounds like there are a few possibilities. I just want to get to the point I can put the camera up to my face without being repulsed. ;-)

WAstinkbug Loc: Silverdale, WA, U.S.A.

markngolf wrote:

That would only be appropriate if the camera died!

Mark

It's actually in excellent condition ... just doesn't smell so good at close range. :-P ;-)