white clingy stuff on lens rubber rings

Alizarine · 01-12-2012, 01:13 AM

Some white clingy dust is holding onto the rubber zoom and focus rings of my DAL kit lens.

any idea how to clean it well without resorting to liquid cleaning materials, or damaging the rubber with hard stuff?

Chaos_Realm · 01-12-2012, 01:38 AM

unfortunately I don't have a solution but it kind of looks like sunscreen. A quick google suggests a dry toothbrush might help, brushing in the direction of the grooves.

wlachan · 01-12-2012, 11:29 AM

Just remove the rings carefully then wash them with kitchen detergent and tooth brush will do. No thinner or alcohol please.

Alizarine · 01-12-2012, 08:07 PM

Originally posted by Chaos_Realm

unfortunately I don't have a solution but it kind of looks like sunscreen. A quick google suggests a dry toothbrush might help, brushing in the direction of the grooves.

Tried it, didn't work much. I wonder if it's some sort of salt or something... it just won't come off easy. I'll just try brushing harder, if I can't take the rings and wash them off. Thanks!

Originally posted by wlachan

Just remove the rings carefully then wash them with kitchen detergent and tooth brush will do. No thinner or alcohol please.

thanks for the suggestion, but... wouldn't the rubber stretch/expand if I did that?

wlachan · 01-12-2012, 09:17 PM

Originally posted by Alizarine

thanks for the suggestion, but... wouldn't the rubber stretch/expand if I did that?

Not if done carefully. You may use a toothpick to lift the edge carefully then pull it from the body. Don't stretch the rubber and it will maintain its dimension.

dgaies · 01-12-2012, 09:59 PM

Originally posted by wlachan

Not if done carefully. You may use a toothpick to lift the edge carefully then pull it from the body. Don't stretch the rubber and it will maintain its dimension.

+1.

I've removed the rubber focus/zoom rings from dozens of lenses and haven't had any problems yet. Be (somewhat) gentle and take your time and you should be fine.

01-12-2012, 01:13 AM	#1
Alizarine Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Manila Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,185	white clingy stuff on lens rubber rings Some white clingy dust is holding onto the rubber zoom and focus rings of my DAL kit lens. any idea how to clean it well without resorting to liquid cleaning materials, or damaging the rubber with hard stuff?

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01-12-2012, 01:38 AM	#2
Chaos_Realm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Melbourne, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,251	unfortunately I don't have a solution but it kind of looks like sunscreen. A quick google suggests a dry toothbrush might help, brushing in the direction of the grooves.

01-12-2012, 11:29 AM	#3
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	Just remove the rings carefully then wash them with kitchen detergent and tooth brush will do. No thinner or alcohol please.

01-12-2012, 08:07 PM	#4
Alizarine Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Manila Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,185 Original Poster	Originally posted by Chaos_Realm unfortunately I don't have a solution but it kind of looks like sunscreen. A quick google suggests a dry toothbrush might help, brushing in the direction of the grooves. Tried it, didn't work much. I wonder if it's some sort of salt or something... it just won't come off easy. I'll just try brushing harder, if I can't take the rings and wash them off. Thanks! Originally posted by wlachan Just remove the rings carefully then wash them with kitchen detergent and tooth brush will do. No thinner or alcohol please. thanks for the suggestion, but... wouldn't the rubber stretch/expand if I did that?

01-12-2012, 09:17 PM	#5
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	Originally posted by Alizarine thanks for the suggestion, but... wouldn't the rubber stretch/expand if I did that? Not if done carefully. You may use a toothpick to lift the edge carefully then pull it from the body. Don't stretch the rubber and it will maintain its dimension.

01-12-2012, 09:59 PM	#6
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	Originally posted by wlachan Not if done carefully. You may use a toothpick to lift the edge carefully then pull it from the body. Don't stretch the rubber and it will maintain its dimension. +1. I've removed the rubber focus/zoom rings from dozens of lenses and haven't had any problems yet. Be (somewhat) gentle and take your time and you should be fine.