sweat marks on the lens rubber.


Turbonetics

Senior Member
Feb 19, 2009
2,733
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iam sure this is a very common problem most of us faced.
i have a regular lens which i used more often.
as we know during hot weather with sweaty palms turning the black rubber to zoom or focus,it will leave those white marks behind after the sweat is dry.
i search on Lens coat but seems like not all lens model will be covered on the zoom or focus rubber ring.

is there any products that can help to prevent such problem like gloves,cover...etc?

and also for those white markings,how do i clean it off to make it look like a new one?
 

iam sure this is a very common problem most of us faced.
i have a regular lens which i used more often.
as we know during hot weather with sweaty palms turning the black rubber to zoom or focus,it will leave those white marks behind after the sweat is dry.
i search on Lens coat but seems like not all lens model will be covered on the zoom or focus rubber ring.

is there any products that can help to prevent such problem like gloves,cover...etc?

and also for those white markings,how do i clean it off to make it look like a new one?


wipe your lens after use
 

tried too with only a little success

water is best ... just dab the area and should absorb most of the salts but I've failed in clearing it 100%

other stuff tends to dry out the rubber making it brittle in the long run

summary: try your best with water on cloth but ultimately live with it
 

You use a toothbrush, dab it with water, and brush the rubber. Works wonders.
 

at least for canon lens, the rubber can be PULL out. then u can wash it
 

ed9119 said:
tried too with only a little success

water is best ... just dab the area and should absorb most of the salts but I've failed in clearing it 100%

other stuff tends to dry out the rubber making it brittle in the long run

summary: try your best with water on cloth but ultimately live with it

I tried using tissue with water but doesn't seemed to work very well. When the water dry,the white marks shows up again.
 

Learnphotography said:
at least for canon lens, the rubber can be PULL out. then u can wash it

Oh,I didn't know it can be pull out.
But will it become loose when we put it back?
 

You use a toothbrush, dab it with water, and brush the rubber. Works wonders.

Would the toothbrush bristles damage the rubber?
 

Always handle expensive photographic equipment with sterile, gloved hands, preferably in clean room environment, away from UV or direct sunlight, in temperatures between 16 to 26 degrees celcius only. When in doubt, do not touch the equipment, consult a qualified technician and a cleaning specialist before proceeding.

Seriously, don't worry about it. The rubber is easily replaceable at the service centre.
 

Always handle expensive photographic equipment with sterile, gloved hands, preferably in clean room environment, away from UV or direct sunlight, in temperatures between 16 to 26 degrees celcius only. When in doubt, do not touch the equipment, consult a qualified technician and a cleaning specialist before proceeding.

Seriously, don't worry about it. The rubber is easily replaceable at the service centre.

Lol. Actually don't need to replace it if using the lens...the marks will come back.

The lens is a tool not an exhibition showpiece right?
 

shoot in aircon .
 

I used ArmorAll, toothbrush and cloth to remove such stains from newly purchased used lenses. So far, it worked well and such stains (whitish marks on the rubber) did not recur. Not for the faint hearted though.

Normally after using my gears outdoor, I will spare 30 minutes of my time (at home) to wipe all gears before putting them back in the dry cabinet. This is to prevent fungus and other bacteria from camping on the camera gears at the most touched areas, such as camera body grip, buttons, dials, lens rubbery parts etc. I feel good when my gears are clean.
 

Last edited:
i've tried on many lens using Alcohol Swabs, bought from watson, mine comes in bout 100 pcs & cost less den 10 bucks,
all looks really good after cleaning,
BUT DO TAKE NOTE!! when cleaning either zoom or focus ring, there's THE GAP between the 2 rings and the lens body,
even though ur lens is weather seal, they mite still evaporate inside,
pls b careful when cleanning there,
1 tip is the squeeze out some alcohol b4 using as its bery bery wet when u open the awabs
too wet to clean a lens
 

wont become loose. done that many times already. use finger nails to lift it up and pull

just tried it.
it does work very well and the rubber still feels tight after putting it back.
i used running water to wash it and using my finger to rub softly.
thanks.
 

just tried it.
it does work very well and the rubber still feels tight after putting it back.
i used running water to wash it and using my finger to rub softly.
thanks.

glad it helps. A lot people dont know it can be pull out
 

glad it helps. A lot people dont know it can be pull out


i just tried it again on another lens that is more severe.
i used soap and tooth brush.
but the white marks still comes back,its not totally cleaned off.
i wonder will alcohol works?
 

i just tried it again on another lens that is more severe.
i used soap and tooth brush.
but the white marks still comes back,its not totally cleaned off.
i wonder will alcohol works?

i dunno. the strongest i used was Mama lemon. heh
 

trd2970 said:
Would the toothbrush bristles damage the rubber?

I use the soft ones for sensitive gums with just water. Works wonders.