Topic: How to clean a sticky lens barrel?

[Mike (happyforest)]

I have a sigma lens where the external surface of the lens barrel has become covered in a sticky substance.

The lens has been kept in a case which is lined with a small layer of foam & although the foam looks to be OK, I wonder if this is where this might be coming from. I have for time being removed it from the case just in case.

Interestingly, the plastic lens caps & rubber grip on the focusing ring appear to be unaffected.  The lens glass also appears to be unaffected.

Does anybody have any idea what I might be able to use clean this off?

Thank you

Mike

[Pete_R]

I would try IPA first. That will remove most sticky substances without doing any other damage. Acetone is the next step but only if the lens body is metal, never on plastic.

[Francois]

Is it one of those plastic lenses with the awful rubberized paint on it?
If so, take a towel that you soak in very hot water and wring. Wrap the lens with it and let the warm humidity soften the paint a bit. Then hit it with some 90%+ Isopropyl. It should come off.

[Nigel]

I would try IPA first. That will remove most sticky substances without doing any other damage. Acetone is the next step but only if the lens body is metal, never on plastic.

Someone has to ask, what's IPA?

[Pete_R]

Someone has to ask, what's IPA?

Isopropyl Alcohol

For this type of use, you need the 99.9% version. You can get it diluted as well. I buy it in 5l containers as I'm using it all the time when repairing cameras.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/%F0%9D%97%96%F0%9D%97%9B%F0%9D%97%A2%F0%9D%97%9C%F0%9D%97%96%F0%9D%97%98-Isopropyl-Sterilizer-Disinfectant-Electronics/dp/B0DRTRZG7R

[astrobeck]

and I was thinking why would you use beer....

Someone has to ask, what's IPA?

Isopropyl Alcohol

For this type of use, you need the 99.9% version. You can get it diluted as well. I buy it in 5l containers as I'm using it all the time when repairing cameras.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/%F0%9D%97%96%F0%9D%97%9B%F0%9D%97%A2%F0%9D%97%9C%F0%9D%97%96%F0%9D%97%98-Isopropyl-Sterilizer-Disinfectant-Electronics/dp/B0DRTRZG7R

[Nigel]

Someone has to ask, what's IPA?

Isopropyl Alcohol

For this type of use, you need the 99.9% version. You can get it diluted as well. I buy it in 5l containers as I'm using it all the time when repairing cameras.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/%F0%9D%97%96%F0%9D%97%9B%F0%9D%97%A2%F0%9D%97%9C%F0%9D%97%96%F0%9D%97%98-Isopropyl-Sterilizer-Disinfectant-Electronics/dp/B0DRTRZG7R

Ah. I have some, but my bottle is slightly more modestly sized! 

[Francois]

If you use the other type of IPA (the one that's blond in color), all you get is a sticky mess 

[Bryan]

I can't stand that rubberized coating, whatever they made it out of degrades way too fast.  I have gotten rid of it with IPA like others have said.  It also takes a lot of rubbing so use a cloth rag. 

[Francois]

I heard that using unleaded gas also works, but I'd be scared of being stuck with the smell for the rest of eternity.

[Mike (happyforest)]

Thank you all for the help in how to deal with this.

The lens probably did have a coating on it as it had a matt finish to it originally.

Being an ale lover, my first reaction on seeing IPA was to go to Indian Pale Ale but which brand?   Some further research needed here.

I don't fancy the unleaded option so I'll give IPA a go.  Isopropyl Alcohol for the lens & the other version for me.

Thank you all again for the help.

[Francois]

The lens probably did have a coating on it as it had a matt finish to it originally.

I don't fancy the unleaded option so I'll give IPA a go.  Isopropyl Alcohol for the lens & the other version for me.

Be prepared to see the markings on it disappear though.
I had one of those sticky lenses that I cleaned and now it's a lens with mystery settings 
But you'll see, under the gummy mess is a very nice slick plastic.
So far, I've done that with a USB stick, tripod, back of a Nikon F90x, 28-70 lens, tape measure...
While it requires some elbow grease, it's worth the trouble.