Stonewall Brigade Posted January 21, 2023 Share #1 Posted January 21, 2023 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thinking of purchasing a used Summarit lens that shows some fading on the black rubber focus grip. Is there a recommended way to try and refresh the appearance look closer to new? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 21, 2023 Posted January 21, 2023 Hi Stonewall Brigade, Take a look here How to rejuvenate an M lens’ faded/discolored rubber focus grip?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Gregm61 Posted January 22, 2023 Share #2 Posted January 22, 2023 Here you go.. 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thatkatmat Posted January 22, 2023 Share #3 Posted January 22, 2023 (edited) My go-to rubber fixer is a "Silicone Gun And Reel Cloth". I haven't tried it on the Summarit rubber, mine isn't oxidized. But I've used it on my old Minolta and Canon rubber. Brings it back to life. Works on metal and leather too. Edited January 22, 2023 by thatkatmat 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonewall Brigade Posted January 24, 2023 Author Share #4 Posted January 24, 2023 With 209 views to date, but only 2 suggested fixes, it appears a lot of people are interested in ideas, but don't have a solution to recommend. My local camera store, being an authorized Leica dealer, does not know of a photography-related product, and told me to instead try the automotive application "Armor All" that refreshes car interiors' plastic trim. However, as I've previously used a small dab of automotive tire black foam, with great success, that's what I may use again. Just enough on a Q-tip to restore a lens' rubber to look as new. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Peterman Posted January 25, 2023 Share #5 Posted January 25, 2023 Armor All products leave sort of a shiny finish with greasy feel that you might not find suitable. I haven’t used this on a Summarit rubber focus grip, but if you’re looking for an automotive application with a matte finish and no greasy residue, I’d recommend Griot’s Garage Vinyl & Rubber dressing or Interior Cleaner, which should be readily available on Jeff Bezos’ marketplace or your local auto parts store. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris7273 Posted January 25, 2023 Share #6 Posted January 25, 2023 I would try Autoglym for Rubber and Vynil 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huss Posted January 25, 2023 Share #7 Posted January 25, 2023 Advertisement (gone after registration) I use this and it works great. Makes the rubber on my lenses look like new, and non greasy. https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Ultimate-Black-Restorer-Protect/dp/B0055PD1H4/ref=asc_df_B0055PD1H4/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312169650952&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13047005531609274953&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031025&hvtargid=pla-472458489492&th=1 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted January 25, 2023 Share #8 Posted January 25, 2023 (edited) Avoid any ‘back to black’ products for the same reasons good car retailers avoid them, they add a coating that masks the problem but degrades again over time. Try simply cleaning the grip with white spirit. Edited January 25, 2023 by 250swb 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huss Posted January 25, 2023 Share #9 Posted January 25, 2023 (edited) 2 hours ago, 250swb said: Avoid any ‘back to black’ products for the same reasons good car retailers avoid them, they add a coating that masks the problem but degrades again over time. Try simply cleaning the grip with white spirit. I've had zero issues using Meguiars Ultimate Black Restorer. Applied to various lenses' focusing rings and the rubber grip part of my Xpan2 which had turned that milky grey, still looks like new years later. Edited January 25, 2023 by Huss 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
enboe Posted January 26, 2023 Share #10 Posted January 26, 2023 Something from left field, I have used baby wipes with some success. They do require a bit of elbow grease, but the oxidation does come off. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted January 26, 2023 Share #11 Posted January 26, 2023 8 hours ago, Huss said: I've had zero issues using Meguiars Ultimate Black Restorer. Applied to various lenses' focusing rings and the rubber grip part of my Xpan2 which had turned that milky grey, still looks like new years later. What many of those products do is bond with the rubber and it builds up in the low lying areas if it is reapplied due to wear on the high points, and can even look fake and ugly after a while given that rubber is never a perfect black. That is why good car detailers working to concours standard don't use them. But it's a similar type of plasticisers that are coming out of the rubber as on the notorious back covering of an old Nikon F100, and once these are removed and not cosmetically coated over the problem is solved for many years to come, and the rubber remains looking like rubber. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huss Posted February 18, 2023 Share #12 Posted February 18, 2023 Another lens I turned from milky grey to black in about 2 minutes using Meguiars Ultimate Black. Dry, non greasy to the touch. And I expect it to stay like this for years, just as all my other lenses that I have treated this with. With zero issues. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/362672-how-to-rejuvenate-an-m-lens%E2%80%99-fadeddiscolored-rubber-focus-grip/?do=findComment&comment=4691282'>More sharing options...
a5m Posted February 19, 2023 Share #13 Posted February 19, 2023 Glass cleaner and microfiber cloth. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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