How to clean tacky rubber portion of camera body: I recently pulled out a Nikon camera body that I had not used for a year or so and the rubber portion of the body was real tacky. How...

wet3843

I recently pulled out a Nikon camera body that I had not used for a year or so and the rubber portion of the body was real tacky. How do you clean this rubber to remove the tackiness and how do you prevent this from forming in the future?

Texukdoc

Isopropyl alcohol

1Feathercrest Loc: NEPA

Texukdoc wrote:

Isopropyl alcohol

Thanks for the useful tip.

HamB

I've had good luck with Armor All on rubber surfaces.

ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA

I have this problem on other types of gear, and unfortunately have never found a good solution (no pun intended). As I understand it, the tackiness is caused by the deterioration of the rubber, and can not be corrected. I look forward to learning any good suggestions for something that works!

sclay1234 Loc: Ocean county nj

did you know that you can get exact rubber replacements for your camera. I had a D200 that the rubber was peeling off. So i found replacement rubber on ebay. clean the old glue off with rubbing alcohol with a q-tip works well. then just replace with new one. works very well these rubbers were not from Nikon it was a 3rd party but it works great. hope this helps.

ronpier Loc: Poland Ohio

wet3843 wrote:

I recently pulled out a Nikon camera body that I had not used for a year or so and the rubber portion of the body was real tacky. How do you clean this rubber to remove the tackiness and how do you prevent this from forming in the future?

Lens cleaning fluid works well. I would also try Armor All cleaning wipes.

HamB

ronpier wrote:

Lens cleaning fluid works well. I would also try Armor All cleaning wipes.

Armor All spray..
Soak the the rubber for a day or more, I've had great luck rejuvenating rubber.
Recently, I used it on the rubberized cover of my camera bag.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

The deteriorated rubber cement sometimes decays due to moisture, temperature and worst of all, wear and tear. With the gentleness of a Saint hand and lots of q-tips and isopropyl alcohol remove the glue and the rubber grip to save. Do not expect this to take a few minutes. Also remove the residue from the grip as well.
You can also buy a Replacement grip but don’t bet on it. With the camera and the grip clean apply new rubber cement with more q-tips to the body. Allow a few minutes to cure and dry somewhat. Apply the grip and hold it in place for about a day with rubber bands. Caution should be exercised since you don’t want cement or alcohol jamming up the works.

Happy Shooting!

fourlocks Loc: Londonderry, NH

I had the same problem (and question) for my wife's old Nikon binoculars. A Hogger said the rubber "devulcanizes" after a number of years and the only remedy is to remove it with a solvent. I used Acetone and it was a rather laborious job and left them looking like they had leprosy. I eventually kept it for myself and bought her a new one.

I'm sure the manufacturers are aware of the problem. Is this yet another example of planned obsolescence?

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I have had mixed results with third party grips. Some of them almost fit, but not quite. Mine for a D300 that I refurbished does not fit properly around the front control dial, making it difficult to turn. If you decide to replace, be aware that some of the Nikon grips are secured by small machine screws in addition to the adhesive...usually the one around the battery compartment is secured this way. You'll either have to search and find it or else take a look at the service manual, if it is available online.

Additionally, you will need a lot of patience. Most of the genuine Nikon Grip sets came with the double-sided tape preapplied to the inside of the grip material. The third party set that I bought just had several strips of the tape dumped in the individual plastic bags. Initial application of the tape was by far the toughest part of the job.

Papa j Loc: Cary NC

sclay1234 wrote:

did you know that you can get exact rubber replacements for your camera. I had a D200 that the rubber was peeling off. So i found replacement rubber on ebay. clean the old glue off with rubbing alcohol with a q-tip works well. then just replace with new one. works very well these rubbers were not from Nikon it was a 3rd party but it works great. hope this helps.

Tamron and Nikon have sent me free replacement rubber parts free with apologies

Joe

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Texukdoc wrote:

Isopropyl alcohol

I tried 70% and got nowhere.
The 90% finally made a difference.
Not sure if one can find it these days.
Got mine just before Covid hit.

Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal

Texukdoc wrote:

Isopropyl alcohol

I'm hearing various medical people warning about the possible incremental dangers of constant exposure to isopropyl, and especially cheap denatured, alcohol.
Cheap distilled vodka is recommended for personal use. ONLY alcohol and water permitted.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Harry0 wrote:

I'm hearing various medical people warning about the possible incremental dangers of constant exposure to isopropyl, and especially cheap denatured, alcohol.
Cheap distilled vodka is recommended for personal use. ONLY alcohol and water permitted.

As for rubber that is devulcanizing I can understand and appreciate the need for a good solvent. But I save a single malt Glenfiddish for a quiet time and I pair it off with a nice stogie such as an Ashton. But that is my humble opinion!