Sticky binos

[solo]

Hi all. Got my binos out the other night - first time for a while, and the soft feel coating on the body has gone sticky. I've not had this problem before and was wandering if anyone else has had the same problem and if so , how did you get rid of it ? I've tried washing them with soapy water without success and I'm reluctant to try anything like white spirit or alcohol in case I make it worse. Any ideas?

Cheers, John.

[RT65CB-SWL]

Silly it may seem, but have they been kept in a 'warm' environment? - maybe the glue/adhesive is seeping through!

If they are still under guarantee/warrantee have a word with the re-seller.

[NGC 1502]

Hi John.  I suppose you could try a tiny hidden area with alcohol or other cleaner using a cotton bud, see if it works and how it dries.

I have Isopropyl Alcohol, switch / contact cleaner, so I'd carefully try whatever you may have.

Hope you sort it, Ed.

[solo]

I've had them a good few years now so the warranty is long expired. I keep them in a cupboard in our utility room which usually fairly cool so they haven't been getting warm. That's a good idea trying a little patch at a time with cleaner, reckon I'll give that a go tomorrow. Thanks for the advice. If all else fails a new pair binos might be the answer!!!!

Cheers, John.

[Peter Drew]

Surgical gloves ? 

[ChrisLX200]

Sounds like the synthetic rubber material breaking down. Try rubbing the surface with a silicone-based furniture polish (don't get it on the lenses), it won't stop the breakdown process but will reduce the stickyness for a while.

ChrisH

[continuum]

I had the same problem with a small pair of Practica Binos some years ago. It was caused by my keeping them in the car glove locker where they obviously suffered from heat. I was never able to completely get rid of the stickiness despite trying various methods of cleaning. I think that the heat changed the nature of the plastic/rubber coating, but good luck on your cleaning attempts.

Ron

[jimmyjamjoejoe]

Had this with an old gamepad a while back. I tried all sorts of cleaners, even tried removing the coating itself. It ended up in the bin

[ghostdance]

Sorry to say, but I think the rubber had had it. I've never been able to rescue other rubber-covered items that went sticky (steady....) tho never had this with binoculars. I'm a little surprised, but as they are pretty old who knows?

[astro man]

Maybe there sticky after that midnight snack you had on your last observing session.