Help with a stinky dslr

rburgoss · 09-17-2014, 07:38 PM

With all due respect for everyone that suggested going the "chemical way" (alcohol, vodka, vinegar, etc) this will affect plastics integrity and probably replace the actual odor for a new one, instead of removing it.

Best way to go is by using 1/2 pound plain arm & hammer sodium. bicarbonate inside an air tight container (tupperware?) that fits the bicarbonate and camera. Use a paper napkin between camera and bicarbonate, just to avoid getting the white dust on camera.

Store camera like this when not in use. The bicarbonate will suck in any odor in few days.

VisualDarkness · 09-17-2014, 08:19 PM

Originally posted by ramseybuckeye

I had a friend that worked for a used car dealer and they used charcoal (the kind used in aquarium filters) in cars that smelled like smoke. They would actually loosen the edge of thecarpet in the back seat and put a little under the carpet. He said the smell would be gone in a couple of days.

Activated carbon is great for a lot of things.

**geomez** · 09-18-2014, 01:45 AM

Wow, a lot of things I need to try out. I just tried rubbing alcohol followed by a water wipe down and it didn't work (I'm in the process of moving and it's the only thing I had readily available). I think I'll try baking soda next. Seems to be the safest suggestion. I'll keep everyone posted.

**csa** · 09-21-2014, 08:02 AM

It's a shame that sellers do not put in their ads whether equipment is from a "smoke" environment or not. I almost always forget to ask. I'm not against smoking, but against buying something that smells of it.

**geomez** · 09-21-2014, 01:03 PM

Originally posted by csa

It's a shame that sellers do not put in their ads whether equipment is from a "smoke" environment or not. I almost always forget to ask. I'm not against smoking, but against buying something that smells of it.

Most of the stuff I've sold on the marketplace I've specified that it's from a smoke free home, but I always forget to ask too.

**Lowell Goudge** · 09-21-2014, 02:13 PM

Originally posted by geomez

I just got a used K-30 for my wife's birthday. It's great other than it reeks of menthol cigarettes. I've tried cleaning it but the rubber grips and the rubber around the eyepiece still stinks. Does anybody know of any tricks that could help neutralize the smell?

A few hours with an ozone generator will fix it. Hotels among other things use this to de-smoke rooms

**TER-OR** · 09-22-2014, 06:25 AM

Time is your only really good ally here. As mentioned, menthol and they cyclic hydrocarbons are very soluble in rubbers. This means they'll take a while migrating out. Leaving the camera on the counter instead of a drawer or closet will maybe help a little, just to aid diffusion.

**Kerrowdown** · 09-22-2014, 02:17 PM

Aye just leave it in an airy place and the smell will fade away in time.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Old Ira Needs New Help with DSLR Cinematography & More	Ira	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	22	05-30-2014 07:59 PM
Motocross - first dslr help! which model? looking to spend $1000 with lenses	kx137	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	8	01-11-2014 11:19 AM
50mm f1.2 smc M lens with dslr help	rozzercass	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	3	03-01-2013 11:26 AM
A beginner seeking help on first lenses with first DSLR (K-30)	Mr008	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	25	09-13-2012 05:07 AM
Help with DSLR	JKDZ28	Pentax DSLR Discussion	7	12-09-2006 04:47 PM

09-17-2014, 07:38 PM	#16
rburgoss Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Jose, Costa Rica Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 972	With all due respect for everyone that suggested going the "chemical way" (alcohol, vodka, vinegar, etc) this will affect plastics integrity and probably replace the actual odor for a new one, instead of removing it. Best way to go is by using 1/2 pound plain arm & hammer sodium. bicarbonate inside an air tight container (tupperware?) that fits the bicarbonate and camera. Use a paper napkin between camera and bicarbonate, just to avoid getting the white dust on camera. Store camera like this when not in use. The bicarbonate will suck in any odor in few days.

09-17-2014, 08:19 PM	#17
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	Originally posted by ramseybuckeye I had a friend that worked for a used car dealer and they used charcoal (the kind used in aquarium filters) in cars that smelled like smoke. They would actually loosen the edge of thecarpet in the back seat and put a little under the carpet. He said the smell would be gone in a couple of days. Activated carbon is great for a lot of things.

09-18-2014, 01:45 AM	#18
geomez Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Roanoke, Virginia, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,760 Original Poster	Wow, a lot of things I need to try out. I just tried rubbing alcohol followed by a water wipe down and it didn't work (I'm in the process of moving and it's the only thing I had readily available). I think I'll try baking soda next. Seems to be the safest suggestion. I'll keep everyone posted.

09-21-2014, 08:02 AM	#19
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	It's a shame that sellers do not put in their ads whether equipment is from a "smoke" environment or not. I almost always forget to ask. I'm not against smoking, but against buying something that smells of it.

09-21-2014, 01:03 PM	#20
geomez Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Roanoke, Virginia, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,760 Original Poster	Originally posted by csa It's a shame that sellers do not put in their ads whether equipment is from a "smoke" environment or not. I almost always forget to ask. I'm not against smoking, but against buying something that smells of it. Most of the stuff I've sold on the marketplace I've specified that it's from a smoke free home, but I always forget to ask too.

09-21-2014, 02:13 PM	#21
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,886	Originally posted by geomez I just got a used K-30 for my wife's birthday. It's great other than it reeks of menthol cigarettes. I've tried cleaning it but the rubber grips and the rubber around the eyepiece still stinks. Does anybody know of any tricks that could help neutralize the smell? A few hours with an ozone generator will fix it. Hotels among other things use this to de-smoke rooms

09-22-2014, 06:25 AM	#22
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	Time is your only really good ally here. As mentioned, menthol and they cyclic hydrocarbons are very soluble in rubbers. This means they'll take a while migrating out. Leaving the camera on the counter instead of a drawer or closet will maybe help a little, just to aid diffusion.

09-22-2014, 02:17 PM	#23
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,805	Aye just leave it in an airy place and the smell will fade away in time.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search