How to clean tacky rubber portion of camera body
Jul 18, 2020 12:27:08 #
Very interesting. I've had a deterioration problem with my rubber on Canon cameras, accelerated by the effect of mosquito repellent on my hands which is not good for rubber (or plastic for that matter). I've replaced a couple pieces of rubber with thin flexible foam board from an art store. I rather like the feel of it, actually, and its holding up well.
Jul 18, 2020 13:11:20 #
Jul 18, 2020 14:44:52 #
Try dusting with powdered sulfur. When I was a kid, I read about Charles Goodyear and wanted to try making a rubber stamp. I made a mold out of plaster, carved an image in it. Then took about 6 layers of electrical/rubber tape dusted with sulfur and clamped together over the carved image. I stuck it in a hot oven, and tightened every 15 minutes, and it worked beautifully. The stamp was semi-hard, but somewhat soft. But don't put your camera in a hot oven!
Jul 18, 2020 15:25:32 #
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?
I have read that “gu be gone” works.
Jul 18, 2020 15:31:19 #
fourlocks wrote:
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?
I'm sure the manufacturers are aware of the problem. Is this yet another example of planned obsolescence?
Canon IS binoculars are also known to "suffer" from this same issue. And, yes, they also reluctantly admit to the issue.
https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/products/details/binoculars/is-binoculars/10-x-30-is?tab=reviews#:~:text=The%20rubberised%20coating%20on%20the,black)%20residue%20on%20your%20fingers.
Jul 18, 2020 15:48:47 #
HamB wrote:
I've had good luck with Armor All on rubber surfaces.
And WD40.
Jul 18, 2020 16:05:18 #
lenben
Loc: Seattle
You might try also lighter fluid which depending upon the nature of the rubber will either fix it or make it worse. Test a non-important part of the rubber piece.
Jul 18, 2020 18:05:52 #
John Howard wrote:
I have read that “gu be gone” works.
I tried that.
Goo Gone didn’t work for me but it did smell good!
Jul 18, 2020 18:15:58 #
John Howard wrote:
I have read that “gu be gone” works.
That's what I used, works. I think it's called Goo Be Gone.
Jul 18, 2020 18:17:47 #
WayneL wrote:
That's what I used, works. I think it's called Goo Be Gone.
Just “Goo Gone“
Jul 18, 2020 20:08:40 #
MrBumps2U wrote:
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!
I'm with you on your answer. I have some studio lights that have a rubber coating on them and they got all tacky. I tried all kinds of things on them and some of it got less tacky but after all the work I put into it, I considered it a failure. About the only thing I didn't try is acetone. I think that will work, but it might make it worse or remove the rubber coating. It will also remove all the silkscreening.
Jul 18, 2020 20:34:01 #
GoofyNewfie wrote:
I tried 70% and got nowhere.
The 90% finally made a difference.
Not sure if one can find it these days.
Amazon has 90%
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=isopropyl+alcohol+90%25+rubbing+alcohol&crid=IPYE40B3EMVF&sprefix=ispopyl+alcohol+90%25%2Caps%2C208&ref=nb_sb_ss_sc_2_19
Got mine just before Covid hit.
The 90% finally made a difference.
Not sure if one can find it these days.
Amazon has 90%
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=isopropyl+alcohol+90%25+rubbing+alcohol&crid=IPYE40B3EMVF&sprefix=ispopyl+alcohol+90%25%2Caps%2C208&ref=nb_sb_ss_sc_2_19
Got mine just before Covid hit.
Jul 18, 2020 21:08:59 #
DaveyDitzer
Loc: Western PA
MrBumps2U wrote:
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!
This happened to my radio knobs on an old Porsche and I could not clean them. I had to paint them with a hobby shop paint.
Jul 19, 2020 20:34:00 #
Had this issues with a D50 that I resurrected to use in a medical office. Isopropyl alcohol worked fine. We use it on the patients too
Jul 19, 2020 20:49:30 #
DaveyDitzer
Loc: Western PA
B Ballou wrote:
Had this issues with a D50 that I resurrected to use in a medical office. Isopropyl alcohol worked fine. We use it on the patients too
The D50 or the isopropynol?
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