Use 303 Aerospace Protectant. It’s the best thing you could use on rubber that is used in the sun regularly. It leaves UV protection and completely rejuvenates rubber elements. I use it on windshield wipers, rubber grommets and everything that is exposed to sunlight. Works like a charm. You won’t be disappointed 😊
I use Autoglym rubber and vinyl restorer on my faded lenses and this works great. I believe Armorall Protectant and 303 also works similarly. If you are on a budget use Mr Sheen which also works well if you don't won't to spend extra. Most lenses are $/£100's so not worth using washing up liquid or alcohol. Washing liquid has salts which may promote corrosion and alcohol will dry out rubber on the long term.
Glad I made this video because of comments like this. Great recommendations and I hope to try it out one day because for now, I don't have faded lens rubbers 😅😅
Wow, the first one's as deep as new. Noted. I know there are ways to ruberize the rubber if it gets too stiff but you need more chemicals for it. This is a relief.
Absolutely know what you mean. I cringed a little when I played back that recording seeing my fingers all over the lens glass but 😃 there was no way I could reshoot it. 😃😃. Thanks for the comment
Wow indeed! That is a transformation and makes the lens really pop! I have used oil before on camera leather that changes the look, only a cotton bud and rub all over then wipe, i think that just nourish the fibers, but that is a top tip, love the round brush.
I expect that all the products you used plus mentioned by viewers may share similarities in composition. As a life long professional photographer I know how alcohol can damage rubber. Don ask..... In my retirement now, I have more time to work on cars and go Jo does a wonderful job of refreshing the rubber in the engine bay And interiors of my beloved clunkers.
This is such a great idea! And i for sure will try this. But keep in mind that as you said not all lenses are weather proof. So do it nice and carefully with the risk of damage in mind.
Yes I totally agree. Would be a good idea to check first to see how moisture-proof your lens is. But I tell you, till now my lens rubbers are looking great. It works! Thanks for dropping by and commenting
@@ivanbolton5477 oh interesting. But have you used it on a faded worn out lens rubber? That's what the video was actually about not just regular clean and polish. What's your experience? Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻👍🏻
@@bemoredomorehavemore yes I have used it on rubber like what you show in your video. If you search Gray’s of Westminister on RU-vid you will find a video describing the process, that’s where I heard about it
Excellent cleaning method. After this good cleaning try a little automotive trim restorer, otherwise known as AmourAll, or something similar that is water based and not sticky.. This will preserve the moisture in the rubber.
Dishwashing detergent is mostly water. If applying any kind of liquid or gel to the exterior of a lens body, use a lot less: apply just a thin film with cotton wool, and wipe it dry with fresh cotton.
Don't do this. This will quickly start to fade again because the detergent cannot remain bonded to the molecules of rubber. Not to mention that it will foam up if it rains. you also have a risk of introducing fluid into your lens. Do this. If the grips are made of rubber or synthetic rubber they can be carefully removed from the lens by prising a blunt blade under the edge of the grip to get it started. Clean them with either detergent or alcohol. Either will remove contaminants that accelerate the speed that the rubber breaks down because rubber is an organic compound. Once they are clean and thoroughly dried use WD40 on them to seal the organic surface and inhibit further oxidisation. Do not use other types of oil or lubricant! Even though it may initially looks good, they may actually achieve the opposite of what you want and start to increase the speed the rubber breaks down. WD40 is the one. You can also clean the metal or plastic lens body with cotton buds and WD40 and it will come up looking fantastic, but be very careful to not get any on the optics. One final note - sun cream is kryptonite for your camera body. Always be careful not to get it on your camera and wash your hands if you've been applying sun cream.
@@thegorillaguide wow thanks for the detailed comment. I gathered tho from other sources that WD40 is not the best for rubber either. It's quite confusing cos so many people say different things. What I tried has worked for me so far among all the things I've tried. It's still just a few weeks though so as you said, there is a chance it will still fade over time. I think no matter what we try these rubbers will still fade over time. For now my lens are looking better than they ever have for years. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge 🙏🙌
@@bemoredomorehavemore Surprisingly perhaps, WD40 is not a mineral oil and so won't degrade rubber. I have used it to refurbish the body on everything including classic Nikons with Nikkor lenses to Contax bodies with Carl Zeiss lenses (sadly, I have a collection of fully working cameras that I can't bear to part with) and all have come up beautifully. This includes the rubberised or fake leather camera body coverings. Glad I can pass on this hard-won experience and hope it is useful to you. 🙂
It was quite annoying and persistent especially on the Sigma, until I discovered this method. Since I cleaned it, it has remained clean and black. A lot of people here have dropped other solutions. Maybe its just something about Sigma as you have alluded. Thanks for watching
Washing liquid should come to people's mind first when they want to get rid of oil and dirt, I give you that. But - the issue with non-waterproof constructions isn't just their inability to tolerate water, the real problem is that they fail to keep liquids (and dirt), like washing liquid, outside. If you rub your lenses like this, chances are you force some of the solution enter the mechanism clogging up the rings at the minimum; - you can now post another video on cleaning the front lens.
You have a good point. I was also mindful of that and thats why I mentioned that I only apply the washing liquid with no additional drops of water to keep the amount of 'seepable' liquid to the barest minimum. I know some lenses have some level of weather sealing and so have some kind of protection for the inner components. However your point is noted and whichever way we decide to clean our lens rubbers or lens as a whole, we do need to be careful. Thanks for commenting
Try ArmorAll, its used to clean and rejuvinate rubber. Its used a lot on car tires and works wonders on vinyl and leather ( not suede leather ). I think it also contains a wax ingredient which protects the surface to which it is applied.
@@sahilnaik8108Not likely. Possible though theoretically. But I figure firstly I won't be using it in the rain and secondly, it would take really very sweaty hands to make it foam up.
My receipt FOR THE RUBBER PART : AAA , in Spanish, Alcohol-Amoníaco-Agua. ⅓ alcohol (99% IPA Isopropyl Alcohol ->Isopropanol or Rubbing Alcohol ) ⅓ ammonia, ⅓ water. Apply with cotton pads (no dripping) , dry with microfiber cloth , done. No brush scrub needed. Keep the lens protected.
@@bemoredomorehavemore And then find out that lots of people, I am one of them (sorry), end up pointing it out a thousand times to add insult to injury, at least it helps with the old Al Gorithm. It is still a useful tip, thanks for sharing it
Those rubber rings can be easily removed from the body of the lens because there are screws underneath them. I used automotive rubber restorer products designed for rubber. like tire shine and rubber trim restorer and it works well and is designed for rubber. Detergent looks good, but probably makes the rubber slippery if it gets rained on or you have sweaty hands. I do not know what are the properties of the detergent so I cannot say whether this is good to do or not. Dishwashing liquid is designed for cleaning dishes and cutlery so I'd stick to that. The only products I know of to restore rubber is in the Automotive cleaning range at auto parts stores, so I'd lean to that. You can see rubber tires and rubber trim degrading and turning light over time so I'd say the automotive rubber restorers will have the properties to rejuvenate rubber rings on lenses.
