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Sticky Cameras?

AmbientMike
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Sticky Cameras?

Is there anything that can be done besides replacing the offending rubber focus ring on lenses or finger grip on bodies?

Is it hard to remove rubber off bodies? Any good places to get these parts? posted to Nikon and Canon boatds

Anyone know the cause of this?

Feb 25, 2024 at 04:12 PM

Gochugogi
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Sticky Cameras?

The rings which are hard plastic but coated with rubber paint may be cleaned with a mild solvent and q-tips. I used rubbing alcohol just last month on the MF ring of my old EF-S 10-18. It took several treatments over several days to become "sticky" free. What remains is the underlying hard black plastic. It's ribbed and works and looks fine without the rubber paint.

I haven't seen actual rubber rings become sticky—even my 1994 EF 300 4L is okay after decades. However the rubber rings became oxidized and turn white (but not sticky). I made them black again by simply scrubbing with a dry toothbrush. Needs the toothbrush treatment every couple years or so.

Edited on Feb 25, 2024 at 06:48 PM · View previous versions

Feb 25, 2024 at 04:42 PM

AdaptedLenses
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Sticky Cameras?

Just use it and it gets a lot better. Almost to the point of being a non problem.

Feb 25, 2024 at 05:28 PM

TomSchriefer
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Sticky Cameras?

I have had lots of 'sticky' EOS film camera. I use a cloth rag, and rubbing alcohol. Keep at it until hardly and more 'black' comes off. It has worked every time for me.

Feb 25, 2024 at 06:01 PM

Bruce n Philly
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Sticky Cameras?

I never experienced this with my camera stuff, but have with other plastic-made stuff... think GM car interiors of the 70s and 80s.

As Gochugogi noted, isopropyl alcohol should do it.

Plastics are made with two components, a hard latice, and a liquidy filler. Not the correct scientific explanation, but that is pretty much it. Time and conditions can result in the system breaking down and the leaching out of this liquid plasticiser component.

This is not a big deal, meaning you don't have to replace the parts.

Peace
Bruce in Philly

Feb 25, 2024 at 08:06 PM

Kasper6188
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Sticky Cameras?

I absolutely HATE the feel of any of that tacky rubber on my hands. Every camera or lens I use that has that cheap feeling rubber, I make a skin for out of 3m matrix vinyl. Never gets tacky.

If you don't want to go that route, you need to get some 303 aerospace protectant and apply it to just the rubber parts, that will prolong it from becoming sticky, and if it is already sticky will keep it from being sticky for a little while, but you will need to reapply. Once the rubber is tacky, there really is no going back, it's already started breaking down from the oils in your hands.

Feb 25, 2024 at 09:40 PM

garyvot
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Sticky Cameras?

The rubberized coating on some plastic consumer electronics can break down after a couple of decades and become tacky and sticky to the touch.

I have never seen this occur on cameras or lenses, but I have had things like card readers and CD-ROM drives that were coated in this stuff do this.

After some YouTubing I found that 90+ percent isopropyl alcohol is a pretty good solvent to get the rubberized coating off. You are typically left with a glossy black plastic underlayment that looks decent on its own.

You just want to be careful to minimize any liquid infiltrating the internals of anything electronic.

Feb 25, 2024 at 11:47 PM

CanadaMark
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Sticky Cameras?

I've never seen or experienced "sticky" rubber on any of my cameras. I'm also extremely careful never to expose my camera to things like sunscreen, bug spray, or hand lotion, all of which can have very negative effects. If you've let it get really bad, you might need to replace the grips and then just take steps to better care for the next set.

I wouldn't use alcohol on rubber/plastic without protecting it afterwards. Alcohol will dry it out, which is the opposite of what you want.

After you clean everything off, follow it up with a very thin coat of 303 and make sure you buff it off immediately and completely with a separate, clean microfiber cloth (this is critical for the product to work as intended and to leave a matte finish). You only need a tiny amount on the cloth, do not spray it directly onto the camera/lens or over-use the product. 303 does not have any oil based silicone or petroleum distillates in it to harm plastic/rubber, and it has a quality UV protectant in it which will help keep the rubber looking black over time. A little bit of that every now and then will have your camera/lens rubber looking like new it's entire life as well as help protect it from anything on your hands/face.

Feb 26, 2024 at 12:32 PM

AcuteShadows
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Sticky Cameras?

As far as I know Nikon replaces the rubber if you send in the camera (and pay for the service). I don't know which models are currently eligible for that service, though.

Feb 26, 2024 at 02:13 PM

Photonadave
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Sticky Cameras?

I use Isopropyl rubbing alcohol. I always do a test first on a small less visible area of the item to be cleaned to be sure it does not damage the surface underneath. Take care to not use too much and that it does not get drawn into the joints between parts getting inside of the camera/lens.

I have never owned any photo equipment that had this thin painted-on rubberized coating so far however have cleanes numerous small hand held appliances. I've always felt that these rubberized coatings were a bad idea. A tend to avoid appliances that have it.

Feb 26, 2024 at 04:05 PM

AmbientMike
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Sticky Cameras?

I replaced the rubber focus grip on the 180 Tamron a year and a half ago or so, and had an old Sigma get gooey, even, although it seemed to harden back up over time. So I've seen it happen, and I'm not one to use much sunscreen etc, so I'm not sure if that causes it, although it's something that I have been curious about.

Thanks for the responses so far, I'd definitely be interested in more thorough discussion into the chemistry of this. I tried isopropyl alcohol, and baking soda but didn't care for the isopropyl. Baking soda is OK but it didn't seem to be a good idea to use the sodium and carbonate, so I used sand, less reactive and potentially picks up organic compounds, being careful not to get it on any mechanics of course

Sounds like there might be a good reason to keep at the cleaning, the Tamron 180 close enough to current to get another part, fortunately, but I'm skeptical I can get a 40D grip from Canon, for instance. Getting another type of tape on grip could be good too

Feb 26, 2024 at 09:23 PM


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