Folding rubber lens shade repair suggestions needed

xkaes

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I've got a folding rubber lens shade that is the perfect fit, but it is starting to deteriorate -- one of the seams/creases/folds is starting to split.

My first though is simple rubber cement, but I doubt that will be strong enough, so I thought I'd "Ask the Experts" first.

Is it DOA?????
 

Hassasin

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I've never had much satisfactory luck fixing rubber hoods. Just to stick it back together yes, but they looked like a lost soldier from WW I. I don't think it is worth effort trying to be neat, and I don't believe they can retain the required flex in the fold to be used as intended.

But while years back I thought it was good idea for compact storage, I stopped using them altogether. The only heavy duty rubber hoods I know are Mamiya RB and Bronica GS, neither folding type, but even with those need to be careful not to distort them. It is too me far too unpredictable vs. rigid plastic or metal hoofs.
 
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xkaes

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I've used folding rubber hoods for a long time, and I like them -- especially with zoom lenses. I can expand them or retract them as needed. I have a few of the Mamiya folding rubber hoods -- all 77mm, of course (which is one of my two "standards") -- and I've been folding and unfolding them for years without any problems.

The one with the "problem" is also 77mm, but not Mamiya. I hope I can save it. If not, I can find a replacement. I'm just hoping there is a "solution".
 

ags2mikon

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I have a folding focusing hood for my Toyo 4x5 that was old and cracked and I used black polyurethane construction sealer, Loctite S-30 to repair it. The sealer is quite thick before curing but is flexible after curing. It has a 400 percent stretch before breaking rating. Far better than silicone. But it does have a 7 day curing time.
 
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xkaes

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I've never heard if that stuff. Definitely not in my "glue box". I'll check it out.

I can also use it to fix a couple of shingles on my roof!!!

THANX.
 
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Andreas Thaler

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It would make sense to also deal with chemistry for camera repairs, at least with the plastics. For me it's just a land of experience so far.

Are there any literature recommendations for this?
 

ic-racer

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This stuff is a little messy, but it is black and sticks well to rubber and is flexible. But after using it on a lens hood, I'd not collapse it anymore.
 

BrianShaw

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Rubber deteriorates and loses it elasticity over time. That’s the first crack; others will follow. Unless there is sentimental value, it’s telling you to buy a replacement. Thank it for its long and dependable service and move on.
 
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xkaes

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That's fine with me, but if there is something that can fix it, I'm willing to try it. It must be a lot less expensive than a replacement, of course!!!
 

Kino

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BrianShaw said:
Rubber deteriorates and loses it elasticity over time. That’s the first crack; others will follow. Unless there is sentimental value, it’s telling you to buy a replacement. Thank it for its long and dependable service and move on.
Click to expand...

+1 I also tried to save a folding Mamiya lens shade on my 645, but it was like a slow burning fuse; Deterioration kept creeping up out of the repair.

I don't know of a way to stop the deterioration once it starts. Maybe some re-vulanization experiments?
 

BrianShaw

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xkaes said:
That's fine with me, but if there is something that can fix it, I'm willing to try it. It must be a lot less expensive than a replacement, of course!!!
Click to expand...

I hesitate to write this but back in my “poor days” I fixed a failing rubber lens hood using an embroidery needle and silk thread. It actually worked for a short time. Much too short of a time though. Soon thereafter it became the proverbial sows ear.
 
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xkaes

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I'll pass on that approach. I can make lots of thin strips of black gorilla tape as a last resort.
 

tom williams

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Bicycle inner tube patch?
 

Kodachromeguy

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If you have a hood in good condition, an occasional wipe with a car chemical like Lexol's Vinylex will help delay drying and oxidation. But, rubber is not forever.
 
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xkaes

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Good point, Armor-All really helps rubber -- on lens shade, and on focusing rings, zooming rings, etc. I don't use it enough. I've bought a few lenses for next to nothing -- because they looked SOOOO BADDD -- but with a little Armor-All, they look like NEW!!!
 

maltfalc

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good quality liquid electrical tape should work, but a bottle will cost more than a new hood.
 

ic-racer

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xkaes said:
Thanks, but that defeats the whole purpose of repairing a folding lens shade.
Click to expand...

Ahh yes. However, for me the advantage is that the hood won't get dented or dent something else.
 

cliveh

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Cyanoacrylate (super glue)
 

Sirius Glass

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I suggest that you cover the original hood with thin pieces of cloth on both side glued on with a very thin layer of Gorilla Glue which is flexible. Let that dry for 24 hours and then put something like the product below on it.
ic-racer said:
This stuff is a little messy, but it is black and sticks well to rubber and is flexible. But after using it on a lens hood, I'd not collapse it anymore. View attachment 359156
Click to expand...
 

ant!

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I have a rubber hood, original for the Pentax 645 75mm manual lens, where the rubber and the metal screw rings fall apart. I think the rubber lost its original shape a bit so doesn't sit tight in the ring. I tried already a super glue and standard gorilla glue (found both in my office's lab), but neither was better then for a few days.
Suggestions for this? Or by a new one, or generic hood?
 
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xkaes

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I'll report back when I've had time to digest all the ideas.
 

maltfalc

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here's another idea to digest: 3d print a new one in tpu.
 
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