Sigma UC Zoom AF 70-210mm

[InvictaMoto]

I was given this AF lens years ago and used it with my Canon 300D. When that went phut I bought a Canon 1100D. The lens has been in a box for a few years. I got it out today, and had to peel it out of the soft lens bag it's been stored in.

The rubber on the lens has deteriorated and is sticky to the touch. Hence the surgical operation to get it out of the lens bag. It also leaves a black "tar" like residue on my fingers.

Google has been no use finding how to clean it up for use.... Any ideas?

Cheers.

 

[Otter Spotter]

Don’t try it yourself, I suggest you contact Fixation, they will quote you and guarantee any repairs. You have to know what chemicals are safe to clean it with otherwise you could damage the internal bearings etc.

Lens Repairs | Fixation

We offer professional level repairs like reworking on motherboards, CPU. And All software related issues.

www.fixationuk.com

 

[ToGoldlyBo]

I had a neglected canon zoom lens of similar type. The rubber on the barrel had deteriorated, though not as badly as yours. I used a cloth and some rubbing alcohol exclusively on the rubber. With some care, it cleaned up the stickiness. The rubber remained discoloured, so it didn't look pretty but it felt fine in the hand. Of course there might be other deterioration such as fungal growth between the lens elements, but that would take professional assessment.

 

[Fat Albert]

I use a light coating of talcum powder on the surface to stabilise the rubber. The only downside is the the item has a greyish appearance but I can live with that. Also the more handling, the item starts reverting back to black without the stickiness.

 

[fred_jb]

I read somewhere that rubberised coatings which have gone sticky can be removed with a cloth soaked in petrol, but I take no responsibility for any adverse outcome, so you try this at your own risk.

 

[InvictaMoto]

Thanks all. I have some ArmorAll wipes in the garage. I might try them and see what happens.