Removing Sticky Rubber from Your CAMERA GEAR

An old video, before the studio renovation, that I forgot I was working on.
How many of you had issues with a sticky rubber surface on your camera gears (and not only that), and you don't know how to solve the problem? Today I want to share with you the solution I have found.

Stay Click!

If you want to purchase the same products, refer to the links below

ArmorAll

Zoom h4 case

[frankwolff]

How long does the process work? how often does it need to redone and applied?
Thanks FW

[drayad]

Worked perfectly! I have a kodak video camera I want to put on ebay. It's in perfect condition but the area around the little navigating thumb-stick had gone sticky. I followed your video and finished it off with an wipe of little alcohol and violà!...We're on ebay!! Thank you very much!

[LuckyDogProductions]

That ZOOM is the exact unit that got funky

[john_murch]

Thanks for the recommendation! I need to protect and improve my compact camera rubber grip and soft leather camera case. Would you recommend the "Glossy" or "Shiny" for this? Which one is in the middle of shininess? I don't want it to be too shiny or too matte, I think medium is best. Thanks in advance!

[klangdownab]

Does this remove the printed labelling?

[gloriaschwazenhag]

Thank you for that tip. I saw another video where a gentleman used acetone but it didn’t really solve the problem the hundred percent. This seems a lot more user-friendly and works better. How long does it last? Does it get sticky again after a while?

[MineCedi]

Thank you for the video! I tried it with alcohol but it was always a hassle... gonna try it your stuff in the future

[nigelminano]

Wow thanks so much for the tip. Will try to use this later I have one I use for my car interior cleaning. 👌✌️

[klausphotobaer]

Hi Keigo, doesn't the surface get slippery? I've used that product on my car's dashboard some years ago and it really got slippery. In addition a layer of that product started to build up on the surface . When I, let's say, get a lens with sticky surface ( let's say an old Sigma, they are known for this ) I simply rub the whole sticky layer down to the bare metal. It's a messy work but solves the problem once and for all . Has the stickiness come back to your mike ?

[stationplaza]

My dear old Flip camcorder could really use this treatment. Thanks for the demo.

[nkkri]

How long does it last before it gets sticky again?

[Subdiv]

Just a Question! is that a Petri 7s in the Background?

[VintageMM]

With vintage cameras I’ve see at least 3 types of sticky’s.

The Minoltas are notorious for a white chalky appearance on lens rings and camera grips. I’ve cleaned with a solution of water dishwater soap and vinegar then treated with ArmorAll Outlast (It’s for plastics). I believe the whiteness is oxidation. The ArmorAll does not totally remove the oxidation but it darken it making it appear better and perhaps prevent further oxidation

I’ve seen Minolta grips totally fail by getting cracking and crumbling off. There is no cure for this other than totally removing the old material, cleaning and replacement with Sugru. I believe this cracking is caused by a layer of tape under the grip that pulls the plasticizers out of the rubber exterior. The evidence I saw was the tape was extremely gummy and the grip was brittle, indicating a plasticizer migration

A recent eBay purchase came with a lens that was disgusting. The surface was so soft and deep that I could leave fingerprints in it. A tissue would remove a black sticky paste. I have not tried a remedy for this yet, and have mostly given up as I wiped off the depth of field printing with a dry tissue. It may have been wiped with hand sanitizer. Ethanol is extremely corrosive to most rubber based materials.

[Accarrier]

Can you tell where to buy the amour All Original, thanks.

[krumpygpp]

I contacted Zoom and they told me to clean it up with nail polish.

Quote: "gently rub the covers off with acetone-free nail polish remover and a cloth towel.
However, this option is only recommended if the covers are unscrewed first, otherwise there is a risk of damaging the inside of the device with the liquid."

The company and their products are a joke. Trying to sell high technology devices and suggests to clean them with nail polish.

[ItsaCatsLife]

Hmm. Didn't work for me. Still sticky :(

[LurkingCrassZero]

I would not use Armor All on rubber that is breaking down like that. It may be a quick and easy way of removing the stickiness but will undoubtedly come back even worse. Remove sticky residue with rubbing alcohol then rub in some glycerine or cornstarch to preserve and stabilize the rubber.

[andrewbalahura]

You need to clean first and after sealed by mineral oil!!!!