I'm in a sticky situation, could really use some help!
Dec 6, 2019 08:53:03 #
Lagoonguy
Loc: New Smyrna Beach, FL
I have used Goo-Begone to remove the stickiness. You may have to repeat it over time but it worked for me on an old Nikon D70 and a pair of binoculars. Good luck.
Dec 6, 2019 09:33:28 #
Dikdik
Loc: Winnipeg, Canada
You may want to determine why they are sticky before you start cleaning them. Some rubbers become sticky over a period of time. They are breaking down chemically.
Dik
Dik
Dec 6, 2019 09:42:11 #
Lagoonguy wrote:
I have used Goo-Begone to remove the stickiness. You may have to repeat it over time but it worked for me on an old Nikon D70 and a pair of binoculars. Good luck.
It’s just Goo-Gone and I also have a sticky D70 to clean.
I’ll give it a shot today.
At least it will smell good after I’m done!
Dec 6, 2019 09:42:55 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Paul in Addis wrote:
I have a couple of older lenses whose grips have become sticky with age (not contamination) from the many UHH gurus out there is there an easy fix to unsticky these grips?
Thanks in anticipation
Thanks in anticipation
If it is just the rubber grips you are talking about, I put simple green on a cotton swab and rub out the sticky. Usually I use a couple of swipes and then a couple of water moistened cotton swabs to remove all residue. When using simple green just again use a moist, not wet swab. Has worked well for me.
Dec 6, 2019 10:27:35 #
Dec 6, 2019 10:32:10 #
Gene51 wrote:
Send them to their respective manufacturers.
Yup! I agree. If the manufacturer has the parts and materials, I woud definitely send the lenses in for replacement of the grips.
As others have stated, the sticky stuff may be the original adhesive degrading or the material itself off gassing or decomposing in some manner. If you manage to clean it it will probably recur or the material itself will becom brittle and flake off.
My worry woud be any of theses solvents, cleaners or the byproducts of theses chemicals in combination with the material will somehow infiltrate the lenses or the camera anc cause more problems than cosmetic damage or the inconvenience of a sticky lens exterior.
My grandfather was a watchmaker with the hands of a surgeon for doing delicate work. Sadly, I fell out of the gene pool in that respect so I leave repair lens and camera to the experts.
Industrial solvents, oven cleaner, WD-40? NADA! Don't do dat!
Dec 6, 2019 10:32:41 #
bamfordr
Loc: Campbell CA
Paul in Addis wrote:
Please expand on the 91% alcohol, I'm not into chemicals!
Thanks for the input.
Paul
Thanks for the input.
Paul
Isopropyl alcohol at a pharmacy around here usually comes in at least two dilutions. 91% alcohol or 70% alcohol. The balance is water. Water slows the evaporation so the dilution is better for disinfecting. Less water in 91% alcohol (or greater) makes the mixture better for cleaning. In any event, you probably want to test a spot and, if it works, apply sparingly so it doesn’t run into some crevice. Good luck!
Dec 6, 2019 10:49:27 #
ggab
Loc: ?
AzPicLady wrote:
That's normally called rubbing alcohol. It's available in small bottles in the drug department of any store. It's usually on the bottom shelf because it's cheap.
Never use Rubbing or any other type of Alcohol on rubber!
While it will clean it, it will also dry out the rubber.
Dec 6, 2019 10:50:11 #
Lagoonguy
Loc: New Smyrna Beach, FL
GoofyNewfie wrote:
It’s just Goo-Gone and I also have a sticky D70 to clean.
I’ll give it a shot today.
At least it will smell good after I’m done!
I’ll give it a shot today.
At least it will smell good after I’m done!
Thanks for the correct spelling, too lazy to get out of my chair and look.
Dec 6, 2019 10:52:59 #
Paul in Addis wrote:
Please expand on the 91% alcohol, I'm not into chemicals!
Thanks for the input.
Paul
Thanks for the input.
Paul
It is often labelled as Rubbing Alcohol in the drug store.
Dec 6, 2019 10:53:35 #
exakta56
Loc: Orford,New Hampshire
Friends! When your lens becomes difficult to focus, the original grease has aged to the point that it no longer works and has solidified.. A complete teardown is required. Anything else attempted will probably ruin the coatings on the glass elements or spread that old grease all over the lens themselves.
Dec 6, 2019 10:57:33 #
WD40 is a lubricant. The sticky crud gumming your lens needs a solvent, as benign as possible, to clean. athe 91% alcohol is isopropyl alcohol, one carbon notch above ethyl. I would think methyl alcohol would be too harsh.
Dec 6, 2019 11:06:59 #
Is there a reason my owners manuals say to use only water to clean the body? Just wondering...
Dec 6, 2019 11:35:05 #
Personally, I don't think it can be remedied completely. Remember to never put chemicals on your hands and then touch your rubberized equipment. Probably one of the most forgotten chemical would be bug spray and possibly some sunscreen. When this stuff is on your hands and then you touch your rubberized equipment, those chemicals can cause the rubber to break down and deteriorate. Not good.
Dec 6, 2019 11:46:53 #
Paul in Addis wrote:
I have a couple of older lenses whose grips have become sticky with age (not contamination) from the many UHH gurus out there is there an easy fix to unsticky these grips?
Thanks in anticipation
Thanks in anticipation
Google is your friend! Do a search: "rubber silicone focus ring grips for camera lenses" and you should get a page like this or something similar:
https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ACYBGNQmW-WKHwEVD86A4eRqOTqyBbaKzQ%3A1575649709742&source=hp&ei=rYHqXdSFKv2CjLsPjvuNmAs&q=rubber+silicone+focus+grips+for+camera+lenses&oq=rubber+silicon+focus+grips+for+camera+lenses&gs_l=psy-ab.1.0.33i10i299.1586.1586..15221...0.0..0.361.361.3-1......0....2j1..gws-wiz.uUaZzG2wgFQ
Scroll down the page for a solution to your dilemma! My Nikon D70 developed a sticky surface but none of my lenses! I do, however, use these silicone ID bands for my lenses not for sticky surfaces but to help locate the zoom ring and to see my camera when doing a workshop or group shoot. Kids have them also!
I got this one for free while attending the recent Photoville festival here in DUMBO, Brooklyn, NY. The festival travels around the US at major city venues.
Use your imaginations, you'll find other similar things to use! Be well. Happy Holidays. Ed
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