Care of older lenses

[mark_payne3]

<p>I am sure there is a safe way to clean the rubber on the older beercan style lenses. Also the whitening of the rubber. I would love to hear of some of the ways to make them look nice again without hurting anything.</p>

<p>Thanks<br>

Mark</p>

[robert_paul1]

<p>I know this will sound gross and weird, but I found that nose oil works well. I'm talking about the oil that appears on the side of your nose. I rub the side of my nose with my finger, then rub the rubber, the white disappears. Afterwards, I wipe off the oil with a microfiber cloth. Don't use the oil if your face is sweaty as your sweat will be slightly acid.<br>

I'm not joking, try it on a small spot.</p>

[ricardovaste]

<p>*Makes mental note to never buy any of Robert's lenses if he comes to sell any* ;)</p>

[malcolm_denton]

<p>The pipe smokers amongst us will recognise Robert's tip as the tried and tested method for polishing the wood on briar pipes.</p>

[mark_payne3]

<p>Mmmmm, sounds like it might work, but, The rubber focusing collar is of a size I might need several noses, also how would you get it into the grooves? Lets take this farther.<br>

Thanks<br>

Mark</p>

[robert_paul1]

<p>A little oil goes a long way. Unless you have very dry skin, it shouldn't be a problem. As to getting into the tiny spaces, don't worry, I had no problems getting the oil in the tiny gaps of my big beercan.</p>

[Uncle Goose]

<p>The best way to clean rubber is just with water and nothing else, in extreme cases PH neutral soap may be added. All the rest is banned from use. Besides photography I collect gasmasks and with about 300 different gasmasks in my collection (ranging from WW1 to present days) I know well enough how to handle rubber. There a dozens of rubber treatment stuff in the shops but not a single one is good for long term use and I don't recommend any of them.</p>

[john_mcmillin]

<p>Ah, nose oil! My college photo taught me that it did a good job of hiding scratches on negatives. And it was true --just smear it onto the scratched neg before printing. I offer this free of tuition charges, if anybody still needs this tip. </p>

[steve_kennedy3]

<p>Not to stretch a weird thread but nose oil is also perfect for oiling diaphram blades when rebuilding a lens.</p>

[robert_paul1]

<p>I knew eating all those greasy fries and burger was good for something. :)</p>