Cleaning rubber /plastic ?

Share your advice about camera repair or ask a question.
Post Reply
titrisol
Frequent Poster
Frequent Poster
Posts: 689
Joined: Mon Jul 14, 2014 9:14 am
Contact:

Cleaning rubber /plastic ?

Post by titrisol »

I was given a Minolta Maxxumm 5000 that was stored is a closet for many years. The camera looks clean, was stored without batteries or film.
Now, the plastics/rubber have become gray over time and I was wondering if someone has experienced cleaning those rubber parts using armor-all or any other automotive "renewal" products to make them look newer?
Any compelling reason not to do that?


If you can't fix it with a hammer... you got an electrical problem
even duct tape can't fix stupid.... but it can muffle it (SilentObserver)
My Flickr -ipernity
Thanks CE Nelson ;)
User avatar
PFMcFarland
Super Member
Super Member
Posts: 2360
Joined: Tue Apr 29, 2014 11:02 pm
Contact:

Re: Cleaning rubber /plastic ?

Post by PFMcFarland »

I think a light touch with it should do the job. I can't remember what I used the last time I treated a coated camera, but too much of it took the coating right off.

PF
Waiting for the light
titrisol
Frequent Poster
Frequent Poster
Posts: 689
Joined: Mon Jul 14, 2014 9:14 am
Contact:

Re: Cleaning rubber /plastic ?

Post by titrisol »

Thanks!
I used a cloth, sprayed some on a corner of the cloth and wiped the plastic.
It turned darker (and uniform) with one treatment, I polished it with the clean part and looks much better.

These Maxxums were nice cameras, never had used one before
If you can't fix it with a hammer... you got an electrical problem
even duct tape can't fix stupid.... but it can muffle it (SilentObserver)
My Flickr -ipernity
Thanks CE Nelson ;)
User avatar
PFMcFarland
Super Member
Super Member
Posts: 2360
Joined: Tue Apr 29, 2014 11:02 pm
Contact:

Re: Cleaning rubber /plastic ?

Post by PFMcFarland »

I've had two, gave one to a friend of mine and he really liked it too. They were a great replacement for the X series.

PF
Waiting for the light
titrisol
Frequent Poster
Frequent Poster
Posts: 689
Joined: Mon Jul 14, 2014 9:14 am
Contact:

Re: Cleaning rubber /plastic ?

Post by titrisol »

It seems to be a nice camera, feels good in the hand and the lenses are nice
However, it is very basic, only P and M modes. And the little buttons to change speed/aperture feel weird

Image
Minolta Maxxum 5000
If you can't fix it with a hammer... you got an electrical problem
even duct tape can't fix stupid.... but it can muffle it (SilentObserver)
My Flickr -ipernity
Thanks CE Nelson ;)
User avatar
PFMcFarland
Super Member
Super Member
Posts: 2360
Joined: Tue Apr 29, 2014 11:02 pm
Contact:

Re: Cleaning rubber /plastic ?

Post by PFMcFarland »

titrisol wrote:
Tue Jul 18, 2023 11:21 am
It seems to be a nice camera, feels good in the hand and the lenses are nice
However, it is very basic, only P and M modes. And the little buttons to change speed/aperture feel weird

Image
Minolta Maxxum 5000
Good camera indeed. I had the earlier single digit 5 version, and still have the 4. Might still have a few lenses for them too. I'll have to check the stash.

PF
Waiting for the light
titrisol
Frequent Poster
Frequent Poster
Posts: 689
Joined: Mon Jul 14, 2014 9:14 am
Contact:

Re: Cleaning rubber /plastic ?

Post by titrisol »

This is one the earliest models, 7000 - 9000 - 5000 in that order where the first batch of AF cameras to rock the market
I remember reading about them, and seeing a few

What I found that behind the battery compartment a there is a CR2016 battery hidden.
If you can't fix it with a hammer... you got an electrical problem
even duct tape can't fix stupid.... but it can muffle it (SilentObserver)
My Flickr -ipernity
Thanks CE Nelson ;)
P C Headland
Enthusiast
Enthusiast
Posts: 224
Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2014 5:20 am
Contact:

Re: Cleaning rubber /plastic ?

Post by P C Headland »

I recently tried the same thing on a second hand Tamron Adaptall lens' rubber focus ring, it cleaned up like new.
User avatar
PFMcFarland
Super Member
Super Member
Posts: 2360
Joined: Tue Apr 29, 2014 11:02 pm
Contact:

Re: Cleaning rubber /plastic ?

Post by PFMcFarland »

titrisol wrote:
Wed Jul 26, 2023 12:01 pm
This is one the earliest models, 7000 - 9000 - 5000 in that order where the first batch of AF cameras to rock the market
I remember reading about them, and seeing a few

What I found that behind the battery compartment a there is a CR2016 battery hidden.
I tend to get it mixed up which series came when, especially after not having used them for a while. The actual models I had were the Maxxum 4, and the Dynax 505si. The 4 had fewer features than the 505si but was still a very capable camera.

https://flic.kr/s/aHskgxdLb4 (Maxxum 4 test)

https://flic.kr/s/aHskfL9xvq (Dynax 505si test)

PF
Waiting for the light
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests