VERY successful removal of stickiness on some newer SLR bodies

Chan Tran · Nov 9, 2024

I can clean it with isopropryl alcohol but it removes the texture that was originally there. So it's not a real solution. I think newer cameras are going away from that stuff.

David Brown · Nov 9, 2024

Chan Tran said:
I can clean it with isopropryl alcohol but it removes the texture that was originally there. So it's not a real solution. I think newer cameras are going away from that stuff.

Hm. I may just leave well enough alone. Like I said, it's just ugly, but it is not sticky. And I was wrong. Only five of my six lenses have this.

I have two bodies. The 650si has the very sticky (and cracked) grip, but I haven't used it in years since I got a Maxxum 7. The Maxxum 7 is fine. Not sticky. Guess I've been lucky.

mshchem · Nov 9, 2024

I wonder if a thin coat of a durable spray paint would work? I have only seen it on Nikon F100 bodies, never on F5 or F6 units.I g9t rid of my F100 when it was still nice. Wonderful little camera.

xkaes · Nov 9, 2024

I don't know what "stuff" that is, but it's common on the Minolta lenses that have that slanted grip. I'm sure it's not fungus or rot. Oxidation / deterioration???? Old age????

I first tried isopropyl alcohol which helped only a little. After it dried, I took a fairly soft brush with fine bristles -- to get into the grooves -- and brushed in the same direction as the slits. And old toothbrush should work great. A fair amount of white powder came out, and it immediately looked much better. Then I used some Armor-All on an old sock, and that did it. Looks great now, but the brush was the most helpful.

Now I know what to cal it -- Lens Tartar.

reddesert · Nov 10, 2024

The white stuff on the surface is rubber bloom, see for example https://www.applerubber.com/hot-top...oms-what-are-they-and-why-are-they-important/

It's not harmful and doesn't affect the use as much as rubber stickiness does.

xkaes · Nov 10, 2024

Thanks for the link. That explains why Armor-All works so well on my car tires -- and on Minolta lenses!

David Brown · Nov 10, 2024

reddesert said:
The white stuff on the surface is rubber bloom, see for example https://www.applerubber.com/hot-top...oms-what-are-they-and-why-are-they-important/

It's not harmful and doesn't affect the use as much as rubber stickiness does.

Reddesert: This is great. Actual science over anecdotal evidence. Not that the anecdotes here are not valuable or valid; don't get me wrong. I suspect that with the labor involved, I will just leave well enough alone.

I appreciate everyone's responses. Thanks! These Minolta AF lenses are valuable to me because they not only work on the Maxxums, but my a-mount Sony as well.

Just to be clear, when "ipa" is mentioned, are we talking isopropyl alcohol, or beer ?

MattKing · Nov 10, 2024

David Brown said:
Just to be clear, when "ipa" is mentioned, are we talking isopropyl alcohol, or beer ?

Always an important question - no matter what the context!

loccdor · Nov 10, 2024

David Brown said:
Just to be clear, when "ipa" is mentioned, are we talking isopropyl alcohol, or beer ?

Funnily enough, both get you drunk, but one is much more likely to kill you.

Andreas Thaler · Nov 11, 2024

I had read in some Minolta or Canon user manual that this white coating can occur and is normal.

Rick A · Nov 11, 2024

I use baby wipes to clean sticky camera bodies. My Mrs keeps some in her car to clean her hands when we're out in the wilds, I was cleaning her car and picked one up (for lack of something better) to wipe the steering wheel, boy was I surprised at how well it worked.

wiltw · Nov 13, 2024

David Brown said:
Just to be clear, when "ipa" is mentioned, are we talking isopropyl alcohol, or beer ?

IPA applied externally is the rubbing alcohol.
IPA applied internally is the India Pale Ale, named for the brew formulated for export from Britain to India about 3 centuries ago.

Don't mix them up, as misapplication is discouraged.

I think the plastics industry came out with a few things that should never have been used. The polymer used for camera coatings is one, the polymer used in some automotive interiors is the other...hand lotion and suntan lotion dissolved and made gummy the interior door handles in BMWs for certain model years. It was a mistake, or else it was a plot, to sell more cameras and cars.

RalphLambrecht · Nov 13, 2024

Poisson Du Jour said:
Canon's EOS 1 and later EOS 1N thoroughbreds were once derided for a stickiness that was prominent on the palm-door fascia but nowhere else, leading to all manner of conspiracy theorists having their day. My own EOS 1N has this, and it is not and never has been a problem. Creative types took to this "disturbing problem" with acetone, with the predictable outcome that the treatment destroyed the entire surface, necessitating costly replacement of the palm door. Others still used Shellite, hydrogen peroxide, super glue, shoe polish and even a Dremel tool to abrade the surface. IDIOTS! The stickiness was there to enhance one-handed freestyle gripping of the camera with the attached palm-strap -- a set-up I adopted many, many years ago and which is unbeatable in its efficiency. As irritating as it was, and seeing the need to appease the sweating pundits, the EOS 1V mothership was devoid of this feature, and the EOS cameras and their mentally traumatised owners lived happily ever after.

It’s great to hear your perspective on the EOS 1N! It’s fascinating how the quirks of a camera can become a point of both frustration and innovation. The creative solutions people tried to tackle that stickiness show the lengths we go to in pursuit of the perfect grip. It’s interesting to think that what some viewed as a problem could enhance functionality for others. And it's wonderful that you found a setup that works so seamlessly for you! The evolution to the EOS 1V seems to have brought a happy resolution for many, allowing photographers to enjoy their craft without distraction. Here’s to enjoying the little idiosyncrasies that make our gear uniquely ours!

VERY successful removal of stickiness on some newer SLR bodies

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