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Archive 2016 · Tropical Rot - Decomposing Gear

  
 
Paul Mo
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Tropical Rot - Decomposing Gear


Hi. Anyone else have their gear decompose in hot, humid climes?

For example, Lowepro camera bag rain covers (waterproofing flaking and turning to dust) or foam microphone windscreens or foam headphone pads?

It is rough over here with mould/mold.

Any tips?



Jul 10, 2016 at 08:37 AM
sjms
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Tropical Rot - Decomposing Gear


coatings have a finite lifespan. they have improved but even here on the US east coast they break down over time. that generally is not considered a defect in material and workmanship but it is wear and tear. I have had some bags from various manufacturers that have done just as you described. older coating on fabrics like cordura.

if its happening in under say 5 years i'd question the manufacturer about it though.



Jul 10, 2016 at 09:24 AM
EB-1
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Tropical Rot - Decomposing Gear


Foam degrades with ozone and other atmospheric pollution.

EBH



Jul 10, 2016 at 11:59 AM
sjms
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Tropical Rot - Decomposing Gear


The open cell foam used in frank lloyd wrights fallingwater is copiously used and original and viable from the late 1920s.

EB-1 wrote:
Foam degrades with ozone and other atmospheric pollution.

EBH




Jul 10, 2016 at 01:00 PM
EB-1
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Tropical Rot - Decomposing Gear


sjms wrote:
The open cell foam used in frank lloyd wrights fallingwater is copiously used and original and viable from the late 1920s.



It depends on the foam polymer chemistry and catalyst among various factors.
Some of the film SLRs used absolute crap foam for the mirror boxes, etc. if you recall.
I wasn't really into oligomers back then and don't recall the materials used.

EBH



Jul 10, 2016 at 01:34 PM
jcolwell
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Tropical Rot - Decomposing Gear


I'm still not really into oligomers, to this very day.


Jul 10, 2016 at 01:37 PM
EB-1
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Tropical Rot - Decomposing Gear


jcolwell wrote:
I'm still not really into oligomers, to this very day.


Well, about 10 years ago I had to manage part of a project where an inappropriate foam had been chosen by some geniuses. I had nightmares about that for months, but I learned more than I ever needed to know. Some process details are proprietary.

EBH



Jul 10, 2016 at 01:42 PM
Chris Court
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Tropical Rot - Decomposing Gear


When I lived in Hong Kong (in the latter half of the '90s) the humidity would play havoc with camera gear. So much so that I'm still very cautious (overly so, perhaps) as far as storing my gear in the (relatively!) dryer places I've lived since then.

Lenses and bodies are now kept in a large Pelican case with rechargeable dehumidifiers keeping moisture at bay.

C



Jul 10, 2016 at 03:08 PM
sjms
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Tropical Rot - Decomposing Gear


EB-1 wrote:
It depends on the foam polymer chemistry and catalyst among various factors.
Some of the film SLRs used absolute crap foam for the mirror boxes, etc. if you recall.
I wasn't really into oligomers back then and don't recall the materials used.

EBH


well evidently someone new what they were doing back then.



Jul 10, 2016 at 03:10 PM
jcolwell
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Tropical Rot - Decomposing Gear


They even made buildings of titanium, back in the '90s.


Jul 10, 2016 at 05:29 PM
Paul Mo
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Tropical Rot - Decomposing Gear


Chris Court wrote:
When I lived in Hong Kong (in the latter half of the '90s) the humidity would play havoc with camera gear. So much so that I'm still very cautious (overly so, perhaps) as far as storing my gear in the (relatively!) dryer places I've lived since then.

Lenses and bodies are now kept in a large Pelican case with rechargeable dehumidifiers keeping moisture at bay.

C


Indeed. I have a dry cabinet for electronics but the other gear is at the mercy of the 'atmosphere'.



Jul 10, 2016 at 06:53 PM
EB-1
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Tropical Rot - Decomposing Gear


Does A/C not keep the humidity low enough?

EBH



Jul 10, 2016 at 10:21 PM
sjms
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Tropical Rot - Decomposing Gear


in one spot.


Jul 11, 2016 at 02:57 AM
Paul Mo
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Tropical Rot - Decomposing Gear




EB-1 wrote:
Does A/C not keep the humidity low enough?

EBH


Sadly we don't have a/c. We live on the shady (north-facing) side of a large buidling which means fans are adequate.





Jul 11, 2016 at 03:46 AM





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