sticky binoculars ?

Ian_Edwards

Ian_Edwards

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I've just inherited a set of Vivitar binoculars, they are at least 20 years old, still in there original box, with lens caps and instructions book. They look virtually new, however, the soft plastic parts have gone sticky, so they aren't very pleasant to hold.
Is there any magic potion I can use to clean the sticky off what is otherwise a very usable set of binoculars ?
 
I would try alcohol first (meths/propanol/surgical spirit etc). If that doesn't work, the acetone certainly will ... but don't leave it in contact with the plastic for too long. Just a quick wipe will do.

In theory, once the stickiness has appeared, it will do so again, but in my experience it could well last a year or three before it re-occurs.

Richard
 
There are of course plastics and plastics but I was surprised that I could clean the nasty overall stickiness off an otherwise excellent PAL portable radio using a wet wipe that presumably had the correct 'trace' solvent in it.
Don't remember which brand as have used a number but I should caution that other wipes have failed to remove the stickiness from the plastic winch handle pockets (force 4) installed in the cockpit.Annoying as these are recent replacements for the previous pockets and they have become impossible to keep clean and unsightly..
So try on your binocs with caution ?
 
Neat Cillit Bang Universal Degreaser has worked for me on quite a few sticky plastic items. I also tried a.range of solvents with little success.

Worth giving that a go. I rubbed it on neat and sometimes used my nails to lift off residue. Little or no stickiness left after rinsing with water. Some items needed a repeat treatment and a few didn't respond at all.
 
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I had a similar problem with some of my cameras. The 'soft grip' effect is a thin layer on the plastic and, when it goes 'smudgy' it is not difficult to remove. Use a lint-free piece of cloth (like an old handkerchief) to apply the liquid and rub hard.

Note: go easy with the IPA on the plastic. I use laboratory grade Isopropyl alcohol to remove unwanted marks, mistakes or 'pentimenti' (second thoughts) from my acrylic paintings. Powerful stuff! Obviously, first try on a small area that is inconspicuous; once you get to the hard plastic, stop.
 
I had the same issue with a pair of Aldi binoculars. I managed to remove most of the stickiness by scrubbing with alcohol. I used the clear stuff available from French supermarkets.
 
It's a common problem. I have an infrared thermometer and a pair of bins both succumbed to this ailment. I've tried most solvents but the best in my opinion is cellulose thinners. The job of removing the sticky plastic requires a lot of elbow grease, too. The binos will look dreadful with the plastic removed but it will not affect their use.
 
I've wondered whether, rather than seeking to remove the sticky, it would be possible to paint or varnish over it. Does anybody have any views/knowledge on this?

I failed to rescue a pair of binos using white spirit (but perhaps another solvent and more elbow grease could have done the trick), but they were cheapies that had already lasted decades so I'd had my money's worth and they were replaced. Now the latching handle of an otherwise particularly brilliantly designed and built guitar stand of mine has succumbed, but the shape and moving parts will make it very difficult to really get at all the surfaces.
 
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