Cure for sticky black camera covers?

David Hughes

David Hughes

David Hughes
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Dec 18, 2007
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The title says it all but I'll add that I've a few old digital cameras with that black mottled covering and it goes sticky over the years and I wonder if anyone has a cure for it.


The worst of it is that the stuff is soft too and you can dig lumps out with your finger nails when picking up the camera and so on.


More to the point I'd like to use the old cameras and keep them active; and think of all the trouble I had getting Smart Media cards with unused labels and plastic covers ;-)



Regards, David
 
I have this problem in my Maxxum 9.
For me it works very well to rub it with pure alchohol
This removes the stickiness
 
I have successfully used 70% isopropyl alcohol and a lot of elbow grease to clean a Bessa R as well as a couple of Nikons with the sticky back issue. Takes some time, but it works well.
 
Another vote for alcohol. Had that problem with two EOS 1n bodies and alcohol worked for them. That was two years ago and the problem has not recurred.
 
The easiest way is to buy pre-injection swabs and clean it off. It comes off so easily and they are very cheap to buy.
 
I had this problem with a pair of Nikon binoculars. Wipe the camera down with cotton pads soaked in Everclear or Golden Grain 95% alcohol from the liquor store.
 
Everclear is probably the best band aid but once this rubber gets sticky from breaking down, the only thing that can truly fix it is replacement. Everything else is a temporary fix, good for a few months then it will have to be done again. Once the rubber is worn down smooth and you have to wipe it with alcohol monthly, the only thing you can do is replace it. Sounds like you're already there if you're picking out bits with your fingernails.

Phil Forrest
 
Been using alcohol for years but now prefer baking soda. Make sure the solution is concentrated, apply and rub. Rubber will come off easily, so are most glue residues.
 
Archlich said:
Been using alcohol for years but now prefer baking soda. Make sure the solution is concentrated, apply and rub. Rubber will come off easily, so are most glue residues.
Click to expand...


That sounds like a good idea. Some cameras, such as the Nikon N70 back, have a thin rubberized layer on hard plastic, which needs to come off. I've done it with alcohol, but, the very mild abrasive could make it a lot easier.
 
Nothing works on a Fujifilm HS50EXR

Nothing works on a Fujifilm HS50EXR

Dear Board,

It cannot be cleaned. Everything offers only temporary help, and then within a few days or weeks it's stickier than a slobbered up lollipop that your child dropped on the living room carpet.

I solved my problem by giving the camera to my wife. It's an awesome camera for the range that it provides, and she uses it regularly for shooting backyard birds. She loves it so we both came out winners!

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Harrisburg, PA :)
 
I have several lenses which have slightly sticky finger grips and I've been wondering about wiping them with "hygiene wipes" which have water (aqua) and alcohol Denat in them. It sounds like a good idea BUT they also have: decyl glucoside, phenoxyethanol, sodium benzoate,"fragrance", citric acid, propylene glycol and other stuff in the mix.

Does anyone have any info about whether using these wipes really is a good idea or not? I didn't want to try it on a lens without any info.
 
seany65 said:
I have several lenses which have slightly sticky finger grips and I've been wondering about wiping them with "hygiene wipes" which have water (aqua) and alcohol Denat in them. It sounds like a good idea BUT they also have: decyl glucoside, phenoxyethanol, sodium benzoate,"fragrance", citric acid, propylene glycol and other stuff in the mix.

Does anyone have any info about whether using these wipes really is a good idea or not? I didn't want to try it on a lens without any info.
Click to expand...
The compounds apart from alcohol and water that moisten the wipes, the ones you listed in particular, won’t evapourate and you’ll need to then clean them off. They are added to dissolve and hold the fragrance (typically oil based) and stop the wipes from making skin feel overly dry because alcohols remove skin oils but don’t replace them with anything, so these wipes replace skin oils with moisturisers. Buy some plain rubbing alcohol and non-linting wipes.

Marty
 
Freakscene said:
The compounds apart from alcohol and water that moisten the wipes, the ones you listed in particular, won’t evapourate and you’ll need to then clean them off. They are added to dissolve and hold the fragrance (typically oil based) and stop the wipes from making skin feel overly dry because alcohols remove skin oils but don’t replace them with anything, so these wipes replace skin oils with moisturisers. Buy some plain rubbing alcohol and non-linting wipes.

Marty
Click to expand...
Yes, these are good wipes (Kimwipes) and inexpensive.
 
Dear Board,

After trying several different methods, it was suggested somewhere to use an Ethanol based scent free hand sanitizer gel.

I can report that it worked perfectly on that old Fuji HS-50, a Nikon N80, and a Canon Elan. Just rub it on with your fingers and give it a couple of minutes to work. Use an old white t-shirt to wipe it off. Bad spots may need several applications to get them goo free, but it works and all of the cameras are still perfect after a year or more.

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Harrisburg PA :)
 
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