I'm in a sticky situation, could really use some help!
Dec 5, 2019 08:42:27 #
I guess I'm a neanderthal (this was a long time ago) I just wrapped over the grip with gaffers tape. Plus, it'll help give you that certain "look" 
Dec 5, 2019 09:11:43 #
Normal household alcohol is 70%. You can buy the 91% at the drug store. May have to ask for it. It is usually in a smaller bottle and is over the counter item. I have an old Nikon Film camera. The covering on it was sticky all over. Saw a YouTube video on how to clean. The difference is the 91%. It worked great. Rag did not turn black just got the sticky layer off.
Dec 5, 2019 12:16:11 #
A dry clothes with ammonia or sometimes Windex (if it has ammonia in it) has worked for me. Be careful when using alcohol, can dry the rubber causing it to break down more.
Dec 5, 2019 12:20:53 #
30 second on Google - "clean old sticky rubber" -
https://www.google.com/search?q=clean+old+sticky+rubber&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS852US852&oq=clean+old+sticky+rubber&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l2.8351j1j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Several ways and it even has links to commercial products.
https://www.google.com/search?q=clean+old+sticky+rubber&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS852US852&oq=clean+old+sticky+rubber&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l2.8351j1j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Several ways and it even has links to commercial products.
Dec 5, 2019 13:55:23 #
tommy2 wrote:
Almost the same situation here - my favorite ten year old Canon IS binos are exhibiting the same phenomenon. Been wondering what to do about that. Thank you for the suggestion.
I'm surprised by the many responses having similar issues! I never had any issues of that kind on any of my lenses, and I have a lot that are 40 years old and older - none ever!
Dec 5, 2019 16:27:36 #
speters wrote:
I'm surprised by the many responses having similar issues! I never had any issues of that kind on any of my lenses, and I have a lot that are 40 years old and older - none ever!
Are you one of those weird types who cleans things on a regular basis?
Or maybe you don't use your lenses after eating a sloppy peanut and jelly sandwich.
Dec 6, 2019 04:05:46 #
Paul in Addis
Loc: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Sincere thanks to all who took the time to respond to my problem.
Nice to know there is help when you need it.
Have a great weekend all you fellow UHHers
Paul
Nice to know there is help when you need it.
Have a great weekend all you fellow UHHers
Paul
Dec 6, 2019 06:24:58 #
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
Might wanna try a little Talcum powder on a cotton ball, just dab so you're not creating a dust cloud. Kind or roll it on. When I used to do truck lettering with lead based enamel paint and I had to do a second coat in a hurry... to eliminate brush drag. I used to rub talc over the letters with my fingers covered in talc when they were in a tacky state. Took the tackiness out immateriality. The second coat would eat through the talc and bond.
Dec 6, 2019 06:44:50 #
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
It may sound like witchcraft but I have used Easy-off oven cleaner on several items with sticky rubber condition including auto interiors, cameras, binoculars, etc. It works!
Dec 6, 2019 06:55:54 #
DaveC
Loc: Illinois
tommy2 wrote:
Almost the same situation here - my favorite ten year old Canon IS binos are exhibiting the same phenomenon. Been wondering what to do about that. Thank you for the suggestion.
I’m in exactly the same situation, same binocs, same age. A few years ago one of my cameras had this problem, I experimented with all sorts of solvents, finally found one that worked,but don’t remember what it was. Before I do it again I’ll wait for answers here.
Dec 6, 2019 07:29:49 #
The sticky stuff is caused by the outgassing of the plasticizers used in the material to prevent it from becoming brittle, thus keeping it pliable. I have used a citrus based cleaner called Amazing Orange available at Dollar Tree. I used it to remove the greasy, sticky stuff on the surface of my aging vinyl boat curtains with great success with no damage to the clear plastic. This was the only thing I found that worked for my application without using harsh solvents. You may first try some on a corner of a clean cloth and clean a very small spot on your camera body before you proceed. I have not tried it on a camera body. Sounds like you don’t have much to lose by trying it.
Dec 6, 2019 07:29:52 #
Julian wrote:
It may sound like witchcraft but I have used Easy-off oven cleaner on several items with sticky rubber condition including auto interiors, cameras, binoculars, etc. It works!
I used to use Oven Cleaner for removing the Pitch (sap buildup) off saw blades.
Dec 6, 2019 08:05:00 #
knoxworks
Loc: Western Mass.
I had the same problem with a Sigma lens that was about 25 years old. The rubber rings were gunky and sticky. (The lens had been idle in a camera bag for four years.) I got pretty much the same advice you're getting here. I used some old terry cloth and lots of rubbing to clean it off. It was messy and time-consuming but the end result was good. Rubbing alcohol should be okay -- you can try a small section as a test -- but I wouldn't use WD-40.
Dec 6, 2019 08:09:58 #
i use automotive spray can of brake parts cleaner , wet a towel and wipe .the goo will come off .$ 2.50 .
Dec 6, 2019 08:12:05 #
When Rubber starts to degrade, it cannot be repaired, it can only be replaced. Rubbing alcohol can remove the old surface stickiness, but you might want to try Windex first, since alcohol can damage certain types of plastic rubber.
You can also try baking soda paste, and the commercial product goo-be-gone. These have the same problem: they are just removing the degraded rubber. If it is all degraded, then it will all come off.
There are plasticized paints that you can use to paint over the rubberized grips, but you have to be careful with those for several reasons. First, they will require a primer, since hardly anything will stick to that rubber even after you cleaned it. The primers that work best are the "outdoor" kind. Second, once the paint goes on, it cannot be removed without also removing the original rubber.
You can also try baking soda paste, and the commercial product goo-be-gone. These have the same problem: they are just removing the degraded rubber. If it is all degraded, then it will all come off.
There are plasticized paints that you can use to paint over the rubberized grips, but you have to be careful with those for several reasons. First, they will require a primer, since hardly anything will stick to that rubber even after you cleaned it. The primers that work best are the "outdoor" kind. Second, once the paint goes on, it cannot be removed without also removing the original rubber.
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