I have the Sigma 8X21 mini. The rubber coating has started breaking down and getting sticky. Is there something I can clean them with that will remove the stickiness?
Try it with rubbing alcohol first - just keep it away from the optics, and you may get lucky. The only thing that ever seems to work with these is an abrasive cream cleaner (jif/cif or similar) - you just have to use lots of cream and be careful not to polish the optics - unfortunately the stickiness will come back quicker than before though. I haven't tried myself, but i have heard that once you have carried out the cream cleaner routine, you can paint the unit - ask your hardware shop what sort of rubbery paints they have - ideally oil based and not acrylic. It wont last as long as the original finish or like quite as good, but it should stop the stickiness for a while at least. Try and keep your binoculars out of the sun - most of the stickiness is either caused by that, or contact with a damaging chemical such as most insect repellents, or petroleum products. Hope this helps :)
Tried everything but only this worked on mine ... I used degreaser (Purple Power specifically). Put the binoculars vertical on a table with paper towels under. Sprayed purple power on the rubber parts and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Then, wiped off the black sticky stuff. Repeated once or twice more they were fixed. Finally, I wiped them down with alcohol (just for the heck of it really).
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I pretty sure is caused by the reation of the silica gel packet which was packed for moister. touching the rubber ; i bought 10-30 pair from sams club auction all did same thing . Sams knew = I didnt !
rubbing compund & heavy duty cleaner for cars do the work very well
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