mothballs

boone · 02-23-2011, 12:33 PM

is it safe to use naphthalene balls or moth balls to prevent molds?

SOldBear · 02-23-2011, 12:36 PM

I have no scientific data, but I wouldn't.

My other hobby is woodworking. I use moth balls in tool drawers to prevent rust. Moth balls release some sort of vapor that condenses as oil on the surface of the tools. The oil acts as a moisture barrier, preventing rust.

I don't want to think of the case in which the oil forms on the glass surfaces of the lenses.....

**Lowell Goudge** · 02-23-2011, 12:59 PM

just use silica gell

it is safe and can be restored by heating to release absorbed moisture.

boone · 02-23-2011, 01:03 PM

Thanks SOLdBear. Woodworking and making DIY projects is also one of my hobby. Damn... You just made me miss my machines in my home country.

boone · 02-23-2011, 01:06 PM

Thanks Lowell. Though silica gel is quite hard to find here in Laos. Do you know other alternatives? Been dying to buy sensor swabs too. Just couldn't find them here.

SOldBear · 02-23-2011, 01:09 PM

Originally posted by boone

You just made me miss my machines in my home country.

Off-topic now....

So Laos is not your home country?

I love Laotians. They are the most peaceful people I know.

boone · 02-23-2011, 01:22 PM

I am from the Philippines. I am assigned here for 1 year. Same here, I love the people, one of the few places where you'll see monks walking around all the time. Would love to visit Myanmar next though.

epqwerty · 02-23-2011, 02:00 PM

I'm not sure if this would be a logical choice as I use Silica packs. But I hear rice is commonly used as a dessicant. That might be an alternative all you would have to do is find a bag of some sort that could contain the rice. But you would have to change it every so often and you might end up with mice problems instead of mould. It's worth a look.

gp1806 · 02-23-2011, 08:04 PM

Can you buy on ebay? There are listings for what you are looking for.

photolady95 · 02-23-2011, 08:52 PM

I don't know what it would do to camera equipment but I use ordinary blackboard chalk to keep moisture off my fishing hooks and keep them from rusting.

boone · 02-23-2011, 11:04 PM

@gp1806: sure. But shipping will be more expensive than the item.

@photolady: sounds good. Will do more research on that.

Ratmagiclady · 02-25-2011, 05:50 PM

For the OP, btw:

No.

jglover · 02-27-2011, 10:54 PM

No, naphthalene can sublime at room temperatures in the case and coat everything with a thin film of naphthalene. Moth balls now are also made from 1,4-dichlorobenzene, which also sublimes at room temperatures and can cause the same results as naphthalene. Not a good idea unless you want to clean your gear frequently.

boone · 02-28-2011, 05:03 AM

Thanks jglover

**Lowell Goudge** · 02-28-2011, 04:43 PM

Originally posted by boone

Thanks Lowell. Though silica gel is quite hard to find here in Laos. Do you know other alternatives? Been dying to buy sensor swabs too. Just couldn't find them here.

some people use dried rice, I have no experience but hear it works well

also are there shoe stores or other stores which might have it packed in product packaging.

I get mine from an outdoor sporting and camping goods store who's staff save it for anyone who asks

02-23-2011, 12:33 PM	#1
boone Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Vientiane Photos: Albums Posts: 100	mothballs is it safe to use naphthalene balls or moth balls to prevent molds?

02-23-2011, 12:36 PM	#2
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	I have no scientific data, but I wouldn't. My other hobby is woodworking. I use moth balls in tool drawers to prevent rust. Moth balls release some sort of vapor that condenses as oil on the surface of the tools. The oil acts as a moisture barrier, preventing rust. I don't want to think of the case in which the oil forms on the glass surfaces of the lenses.....

02-23-2011, 12:59 PM	#3
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,892	just use silica gell it is safe and can be restored by heating to release absorbed moisture.

02-23-2011, 01:03 PM	#4
boone Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Vientiane Photos: Albums Posts: 100 Original Poster	Thanks SOLdBear. Woodworking and making DIY projects is also one of my hobby. Damn... You just made me miss my machines in my home country.

02-23-2011, 01:06 PM	#5
boone Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Vientiane Photos: Albums Posts: 100 Original Poster	Thanks Lowell. Though silica gel is quite hard to find here in Laos. Do you know other alternatives? Been dying to buy sensor swabs too. Just couldn't find them here.

02-23-2011, 01:09 PM	#6
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	Originally posted by boone You just made me miss my machines in my home country. Off-topic now.... So Laos is not your home country? I love Laotians. They are the most peaceful people I know.

02-23-2011, 01:22 PM	#7
boone Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Vientiane Photos: Albums Posts: 100 Original Poster	I am from the Philippines. I am assigned here for 1 year. Same here, I love the people, one of the few places where you'll see monks walking around all the time. Would love to visit Myanmar next though.

02-23-2011, 02:00 PM	#8
epqwerty Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ontario Posts: 550	I'm not sure if this would be a logical choice as I use Silica packs. But I hear rice is commonly used as a dessicant. That might be an alternative all you would have to do is find a bag of some sort that could contain the rice. But you would have to change it every so often and you might end up with mice problems instead of mould. It's worth a look.

02-23-2011, 08:04 PM	#9
gp1806 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chicago suburbs Photos: Albums Posts: 848	Can you buy on ebay? There are listings for what you are looking for.

02-23-2011, 08:52 PM	#10
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	I don't know what it would do to camera equipment but I use ordinary blackboard chalk to keep moisture off my fishing hooks and keep them from rusting.

02-23-2011, 11:04 PM	#11
boone Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Vientiane Photos: Albums Posts: 100 Original Poster	@gp1806: sure. But shipping will be more expensive than the item. @photolady: sounds good. Will do more research on that.

02-25-2011, 05:50 PM	#12
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	For the OP, btw: No.

02-27-2011, 10:54 PM	#13
jglover Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 98	No, naphthalene can sublime at room temperatures in the case and coat everything with a thin film of naphthalene. Moth balls now are also made from 1,4-dichlorobenzene, which also sublimes at room temperatures and can cause the same results as naphthalene. Not a good idea unless you want to clean your gear frequently.

02-28-2011, 05:03 AM	#14
boone Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Vientiane Photos: Albums Posts: 100 Original Poster	Thanks jglover

02-28-2011, 04:43 PM	#15
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,892	Originally posted by boone Thanks Lowell. Though silica gel is quite hard to find here in Laos. Do you know other alternatives? Been dying to buy sensor swabs too. Just couldn't find them here. some people use dried rice, I have no experience but hear it works well also are there shoe stores or other stores which might have it packed in product packaging. I get mine from an outdoor sporting and camping goods store who's staff save it for anyone who asks