Ichiban365

I have recently purchased some point-and-shoot cameras from Craigslist. I am happy with their condition except for one thing. They both have picked up strong odors from their previous homes. One is a perfume smell, the other more a tobacco/masculine smell. Anything bought from a thrift store also tends to pick up a store odor.

Does anyone have suggestions on how to remove these odors? Leaving the cameras out in the sunlight is one possibility, but then they can get too hot for the electronics. Has anyone tried the ozone generators I see on eBay and amazon, for example?

Suggestions welcome.

lukevaliant Loc: gloucester city,n. j.

put in a box with baking soda,,being careful not to get any in cameras..it will take a couple weeks of sitting but you will get good results

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Some years ago I ran a side business of electric flash modification and repairs and I shared premises with a camera repair shop. Nowadays, I still refurbish old strobes, etc. So much of this old stuff comes in with bad smells. So...I still have my 6 favorite products on my workbench shelf for quick decontamination and deodorization.

What you use depends on the material in the camera and the source of the odors.

Perfume is made of esters (those are the smelly stuff) suspended in an alcoholic base- the alcohol evaporates and leaves the ester behind- expensive perfumes have more and stronger esters that cheap ones and the stick liKe glue. ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL usually dislodges the smell with a few applications. It won't harm plastics, Bakelite, metals and most leather coverings.

Residue from tobacco fumes is difficult to remove because it seems to have a sticky consistency. Sometime the alcohol will work, the electronic contact cleaner does well, and Arorall automotive interior cleaners work very well, car detailers use them to clean up cars that were previously owned by smokers.

In metal-non-painted surfaces, I like to use Acetone for dirt, gunge, and bad smells- do not use it on plastics or leathers- it eats glue!

The worse and stubborn odors come form mold and bacteria. I found a product called "Stink Bomb" that works amazingly well on many fabrics and surfaces that are attacked by mold and mildew. The is another product called Mold Control by CLR works on plastic and metal. Sometimes, however, no matter what you do, the bad (mold) smell comes back- old wooden, leather-covered cameras can be very problematic- It's the animal-sourced glue (ugh). The best bet is to strip the covering and replace it. The alcohol will kill bacterial odors.

The Amoral protective products will restore the sheen to surfaces dulled by alcohol and other mild solvents.

All this clean should be done in a well-ventelated area- even in Winer, I open the window and keep the fan running. After treating the surfaces, I let them air out with the fan running.

Theses are not high-tech methods utilizing ozone, UV, etc. If the stuff is bad enough to require that kind of treatment, you don't wanna keep that item around and breathe in whatever is causing the stench. Unless it is a priceless antique, my wife makes me throw irreparably stinky items out of the house, the shop, and the studio!

An old front of mine is an avid camera collector. Some of his display cabinets smell like a funeral home at a Mafia wake or a mildew laden rag accidentally left under the kitchen sink!

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I use the following in old camera bags to remove orders.

pureAir Filterless Portable Odor Reducing Rechargeable Air Purifier.
pureAir SPORT fights odors caused by sweat and bacteria and prevents the buildup of mold and mildew that can ruin your workout clothes, sporting goods and equipment. Simply turn it on and throw it in your gym bag for a quick refresh or use it overnight for a deep deodorizing. Also try in your other stinky spots; locker, diaper bag, hunting gear, blanket chest, and more! pureAir SPORT is rechargeable and convenient to use on-the-go. Color: Gray.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

There are suggestions from various forums, but the link below is from an article.
https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/remove-weird-smells-from-any-camera-the-easy-way/


Also -
https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1SQJL_enUS889US889&sxsrf=ALeKk03dHE2ot7d1FDhDvhDFe-DMDsfW2w%3A1585060668124&ei=PBt6XrSYB46rytMPw5mLyAU&q=removing+odors+from+a+camera&oq=removing+odors+from+a+camera&gs_l=psy-ab.3...9456.10258..14405...0.2..0.93.331.4......0....1..gws-wiz.......0i71.hhsxQAPvAoA&ved=0ahUKEwi0psiQq7PoAhWOlXIEHcPMAlkQ4dUDCAs&uact=5

Dbl00buk Loc: Orlando

Yes, I have tried this and it works. Purchased a D3 some years ago and the liquor stench smelled like one of Al Capone's warehouses. It took over 3 weeks but the smell was totally eliminated.

PGHphoto Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Just a comment. I have noticed that people who use those little plug-in devices don't realize that it permeates everything. Used equipment I have purchased stinks of it. With asthma and severe allergies - I let it sit in the garage for a few weeks - sometimes longer. I often have a reaction when standing next to people because their clothes reek of it too.

If you are one of those households that thinks a strong flowery odor smells 'clean' or 'fresh' please think about how people around you are affected. Clean has no smell !

Anybody else need this soapbox ? I am done with it now !

jrh1354 Loc: Dayton, Ohio

I've had some good luck using Fabreze on the case and exterior of the camera minus the lens.

nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY

Ozone is the best thing, as it binds to odor-causing molecules and eliminates the odor cause, is not harmful to camera parts and surfaces, and will penetrate to any inner areas that the odor-causing agent was able to get to.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Simply give the cameras a thorough surface cleaning. I always do that whenever I buy a used camera or lens. And it takes care of odors.

gpc

Amen. I am EXTREMELY allergic and sneezed constantly while visiting friends.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Thank you for mentioning some of these issues! If I used any of those flowery laundry additives, odor masking sprays or anything that permeates any item for the long term and continually off-gasses, my dear wife will murder me in my sleep. That's why I clean stuff with detergents, solvents and if possible, with plant-based cleansers. Some of the solvents I use are indeed toxic so I use them in well-ventilated areas and allow the cleaned item to simply air out.

I am sure there are high-tech methods utilizing ozone, however, I have no experience with that methodology. I suppose if someone does a great deal of decontamination or deodorization, the necessary equipment would be a sound investment.

A few months ago I did an industrial assignment in a legal medicinal cannabis grow operation- super high tech. There was a vast room with multi-thousands of plants growing under orange sodium vapor lights. The place had a weird smell- not your usual street-pot stench. I was told it was "ozone"! After 4 hourss in a hazmat suit and a mask, I was glad when the job was over (ugh- PU)!

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

Perhaps letting them air out in the sun will help.

nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY

Ozone treatments are done by fire and flood remediation companies...in their own chambers for small stuff, up to wrapping a house in plastic and placing ozone generators inside.

Yeah, you can buy ozone equipment yourself.....if you have the money and will get enough use out of it to be worthwhile.

Here's a good article on the whole subject of ozone use and the smell issue:

https://www.allozone.com/node/88

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Interesting- thanks for the link. be well!