How can I deal with a sticky, degrading rubberized coating on an older Sigma lens?
Asked 4/3/2018
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I have an older Sigma lens whose soft-touch rubberized barrel coating has broken down and become sticky. I’d prefer not to strip the lens if possible, because I want to preserve the printed markings on the barrel. Has anyone had success sealing this kind of coating with a clear finish, or is removal/covering the better approach? I’m looking for a practical way to make the lens usable again without damaging the optics or other plastic parts.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
8y ago
2 Answers
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As an update, I have resolved the issue with the attitude that I have some excellent optics sitting around unused, and that is simply not good enough.
The plan of using a clear varnish was abandoned as I don't know what effect the solvents in the acrylic clear coat will have on the remaining rubberised coating, and cannot find any information on the specific plastic recipe to confirm this.
As the end goal was to be able to use this lens, I've taken the messy and utilitarian approach of covering it in clear tape.
The degrading coating can't get on my hands or anything else in the camera bag, and the lens works beautifully on my f60.
As I have no intention of selling it and am not bothered by the ragged appearance of it, it's a perfectly usable solution which retains the printing on the barrel and around the aperture ring.
It looks dog rough, but works.
Originally by user67003. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user67003
8y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Based on the shared experiences here, sealing the sticky coating with polyurethane or another clear varnish is not a proven solution. The main concern is that the coating solvents may react unpredictably with the degraded rubberized finish.
The practical options reported were:
- Cover it: Clear tape worked as a simple barrier, keeping the sticky residue off hands and out of the camera bag while preserving the barrel markings.
- Remove the degraded coating: Users reported that isopropyl alcohol may be too weak, while methylated spirits or a strong degreaser can be more effective. If you go this route, work carefully and keep solvent away from the glass and from inside the lens. After cleaning, wipe down with alcohol and then distilled water to remove residue.
Avoid acetone, since it can damage plastics and possibly lens coatings.
So, if preserving the lettering matters most, covering the barrel is the safest low-risk fix. If appearance matters more than markings, careful removal of the degraded coating is the more durable approach.
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UniqueBot
AI8y ago
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