Removing funky odors from used gear? (Page 3): I didn't realize air purifiers came in such a small size! Thank you for sharing the link. :sm01:...

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

billnikon wrote:

Put them all in a box with the following item. I place this device in old camera bags for a couple of days and it takes the orders out. Works every time. Also good for gym bags.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/pureAir-Filterless-Portable-Odor-Reducing-Rechargeable-Air-Purifier-pureAir-SPORT/309900066

I didn't realize air purifiers came in such a small size! Thank you for sharing the link.

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

StanMac wrote:

On used gear I’ve acquired, after thoroughly dusti... (show quote)

Thanks! I've cleaned with Windex twice now and might even do some parts a third time if needed (knobs and grip). Nice to know it worked for you. I'm optimistic.

tropics68 Loc: Georgia

billnikon wrote:

Put them all in a box with the following item. I place this device in old camera bags for a couple of days and it takes the orders out. Works every time. Also good for gym bags.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/pureAir-Filterless-Portable-Odor-Reducing-Rechargeable-Air-Purifier-pureAir-SPORT/309900066

This seems a bit pricey in order to make my camera smell better. Put me down in the sunshine and or baking soda camp.

nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY

WAstinkbug wrote:

I tried searching the archives but nothing's comin... (show quote)

If you can find a recovery service that uses ozone chambers or treatments to destroy odors in flooded homes, cars, furniture, tobacco odors, etc. that would be a great way to do it. They could include your gear when performing the service at their plant or on-site somewhere.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

Had the same situation with a D500 I bought used that smelled like cigarette smoke. I moistened a toothbrush with water and a tiny bit of Dawn dish washing soap, just enough to foam, then brushed all the surfaces being careful not to get water down in the buttons or in the mem card housing and battery housing. Then I wiped it down with a moist cloth. I let it dry overnight then repeated the next day and it was fine. Now, it smells like a Nikon, or at least like my other 3 Nikon bodies. My D500 came with a power grip, so did the same thing with the grip.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

WAstinkbug wrote:

I tried searching the archives but nothing's comin... (show quote)

I'm not sure if this helps but here goes....
I had noticed a plastic like pellet in a bottle of pills. I went back to the pharmacy to learn it was a desiccant.
The local pharmacist began obliging me with a handful each time I visited. I throw a handful in my bag every month.
I don't have any moisture or "funky"
smells in my camera bag.
It may not help your situation but I don't think it would hurt.
Another thought....
I do believe the cloth padding inside the bag retains the odors. It may be time to buy a new bag.

I'm not fond of placing baking soda in the bag. I would be afraid it would get into places I couldn't clean.

nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY

Dessicant packs aren't much help unless they are in an airtight space with the equipment. Otherwise, they are handling all the air that passes in and out of the bag constantly. And they don't remove odors...just moisture.

rcampbell

Pet stores and feed stores will normally carry "Skunk Off". We have 6 dogs so we keep it all the time.

Edit:
Sometimes the funky smell is from leaving old film in the bag for a long time. You can also take a dryer type sheet and wipe the interior down. It is usually hypo allergenic and its order dissapates rather quickly.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

nadelewitz wrote:

Dessicant packs aren't much help unless they are in an airtight space with the equipment. Otherwise, they are handling all the air that passes in and out of the bag constantly. And they don't remove odors...just moisture.

Thanks for the information. I wasn't entirely clear if desiccants will remove odors. Even though I have two dogs, there is no wayward smells from my bag. I also never experienced mold inside my lenses either.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

rcampbell wrote:

Pet stores and feed stores will normally carry "Skunk Off". We have 6 dogs so we keep it all the time.

Edit:
Sometimes the funky smell is from leaving old film in the bag for a long time. You can also take a dryer type sheet and wipe the interior down. It is usually hypo allergenic and its order dissapates rather quickly.

I think that may do the trick.

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

tropics68 wrote:

This seems a bit pricey in order to make my camera smell better. Put me down in the sunshine and or baking soda camp.

It's kind of nice to know such a gadget exists though. It looks like it would have application for all sorts of smelly situations. ;-)

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

nadelewitz wrote:

If you can find a recovery service that uses ozone chambers or treatments to destroy odors in flooded homes, cars, furniture, tobacco odors, etc. that would be a great way to do it. They could include your gear when performing the service at their plant or on-site somewhere.

We actually have a unit here that does that sort of thing in an indoor space. I think with smoke though... one has to remove any residue before you can completely get rid of the odor. I don't know if there's any residue left on the camera at this point... but I'll keep wiping it down (Windex) if the smell lingers over time. It's so much better today than it was even two days ago. That's encouraging.

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

Strodav wrote:

Had the same situation with a D500 I bought used t... (show quote)

Glad to hear you were able to solve the issue.

I'll have to look that camera up again but I'm thinking it's a mostly metal body? This might take a little longer with having some plastic in places. Dawn dishwashing liquid is pretty powerful stuff for removing grease and heavy residue. I'll keep that in mind for the grip if it continues to put off odor onto my fingers. I had one of my teenage granddaughters give the camera the sniff test yesterday and at first she didn't notice anything ... then I saw her facial expression change. :-P

We're not there yet.

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

Scruples wrote:

I'm not sure if this helps but here goes.... br I ... (show quote)

I think those dessicants are helpful in keeping things from getting "musty" or damp over time. Probably a good idea in a bag. The bag referred to by a previous poster I thought was just a plastic bag to hold the soda and smelly camera ... something disposable to use for the "de-scenting" process. Oh... the bag I mentioned that smelled pretty strong was just the special packing bag originally placed around the camera body in its original box. It had absorbed smells from the space in which it was stored (I keep imagining a small space for the previous owner, where cooking odors might gain access to your storage or bedroom spaces ... apartment?)

Thank you for sharing your experience.

Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida

WAstinkbug wrote:

I tried searching the archives but nothing's comin... (show quote)

The FIRST THING I do after buying an old camera on eBay is to sniff it !.....AHHHHh 1949....a good year.
Just like old wines.....an acquired taste. I crave the Earthen-smell of old buildings and bridges and mold ,moss, and moisture, old timber and rusted iron.......I'm alive most when in this state and glad to still be here and wondering what old thing will pop-up next.