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Spilled Beer on M camera: How to clean sticky shutter button and on/off switch?

Cayenne

By Cayenne
in Leica M10

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Cayenne

Cayenne

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Hi all,

Ok, a few weeks back, I went to a beer tasting event and took my M camera (M10M).....

I had fun...a bit too much I guess.  

A week or so later I picked up my Leica, and saw that there was what appeared to be just a bit of sticky residue around the shutter release button, down the front of the camera on that side.

Not a lot mind you...

I wetted a paper towel and wiped it all up...didn't seem to be a big deal.

However, ever since then, the first time or two I try to depress the shutter release button...it give a good bit of resistance, but once it fires a couple times...seems to be mostly normal.

Same thing with the on/off switch...hard to switch on at first, but after that on/off is pretty much normal feeling.

Until I let it set for a bit...then the "stickiness" of the shutter button or power toggle sets in again.

I bought a soft release for the shutter button thinking that would let me more easily "exercise" the button to wear the sticky out.

 

Anyway...I'm wondering if anyone had suggestions how to fix this shy of sending the camera in. I don't want to be without it that long and I don't think really its warranted.

The M cameras...aren't weather sealed...is that right?

 

I was thinking maybe if I turned the camera off, and removed the battery, perhaps I could take Q-Tip and soak with rubbing alcohol and really rub it around the shutter button and power switch...letting a bit of that alcohol work its way in there...a few naked drops maybe....

I was thinking the might break up whatever sticky residue is in there and then evaporate.

 

Thoughts or suggestions?

 

Thank you in advance!!

cayenne

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sometimesmaybe

sometimesmaybe

Posted
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4 hours ago, Cayenne said:

I was thinking maybe if I turned the camera off, and removed the battery, perhaps I could take Q-Tip and soak with rubbing alcohol and really rub it around the shutter button and power switch...letting a bit of that alcohol work its way in there...a few naked drops maybe....

im not saying its right, but thats what i would do... just make sure you get the 99% stuff. best of luck 🤞

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Robert Blanko

Robert Blanko

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Well, after a beer, the M deserves a schnapps…

Luckily I did not face such problem so far. But I suppose that a drop of alcohol which simply evaporates will not help, as the stain remains after evaporation. Rather, one would need a kind of (micro) rinsing. For sea water „accidents“ the experts recommend careful rinsing with distilled water. Maybe injecting a drop with the camera turned overhead and let the liquid spill out could help. However, I would not dare to do this with any of my Ms but rather send it in for service.

 

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Cayenne

Cayenne

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Ok, thanks for the suggestions so far....

 

I need to use it this week, so, no time to send in for CLA/Serivice....so till try something here first today...likely the alcohol trick first.

[fingers crossed]

If you think of any new suggestions please post them, and again, thank you so far for the response!!

 

C

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Harpomatic

Harpomatic

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I had exactly the same issue on my M10r (not the excessive fun, just the spill…meh!).

Isopropyl alcohol did it for me, advised to use it by a person dealing with electronics.

A drop on the shutter, several presses to make it work its way through, then tissue and camera upside down to drain and collect the residue.

I had to repeat the operation probably 6-7 times. Now it’s flawless again and the camera works without fail.

 

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Robert Blanko

Robert Blanko

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vor 13 Stunden schrieb Somchai:

Please. Listen to my advice. 

DO NOT put anything on your camera buttons or clean any dials with anything other than Contact Cleaner. Obviously make sure it doesn’t go anywhere except in your shutter button. I used it for my Fujis when the buttons were sticky. 

On my Leica I used it to remove the sticker from the bottom plate because it’s the only thing I trust around any electronics  

This is specifically designed for electronics and it’s safe even on rubber. It cleans and lubricates. You can spray down an whole motherboard with it.

Again do not use anything other than contact cleaner. find it at your local hardware store  

Anyway. Once you have this you can spray it down the shutter button with confidence. Again don’t let any sprays get on your lenses or sensor.

I would keep this spray for deep cleaning of the dials also. Doesn’t matter the camera.


https://www.amazon.com/WD-40-Specialist-Electrical-Contact-Cleaner/dp/B00AF0OFVU#immersive-view_1681672020951

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KFo

KFo

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So you know the shutter button assembly unscrews?  Unscrew  the button and rinse it in contact cleaner or IPA (isopropyl alcohol) till it works smoothly.  Then chill in total smugness knowing you didn't waste time and money on CLA.  
 

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charlesphoto99

charlesphoto99

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2 hours ago, Robert Blanko said:

🤔 actually, I thought my posting was cancelled before publishing.

Well, one thing I would consider: WD-40 is a penetrating oil which creeps everywhere. I would not use this on a camera.

He’s suggesting ‘contact cleaner’ made by WD-40, not the lubricant made by WD-40, which should go nowhere other than a bike chain. 

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Robert Blanko

Robert Blanko

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vor 29 Minuten schrieb Somchai:

Do not ever use WD-40 the oil on electronics. Certainly not on your camera. 

I am talking about Contact Cleaner, and I can vouch for the one made by WD-40. You can spray down a paper towel with it and it’ll dry within seconds. It’s really good and I always keep a bottle at home. 

Good point. So far, I always considered "WD-40" as synonym for their special lubricant, but it's actually the brand of the company https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WD-40 (allegedly) named after the abbreviation from the term "Water Displacement, 40th formula", suggesting it was the result of the 40th attempt to create the product.

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Anbaric

Anbaric

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Posted (edited)
7 hours ago, charlesphoto99 said:

He’s suggesting ‘contact cleaner’ made by WD-40, not the lubricant made by WD-40, which should go nowhere other than a bike chain. 

On bike forums, suggesting you should put WD-40 (the original stuff) on your chain is like saying you should always use a UV filter on your lenses here - controversial!

Edited by Anbaric
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Bikie John

Bikie John

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13 hours ago, Robert Blanko said:

Good point. So far, I always considered "WD-40" as synonym for their special lubricant, but it's actually the brand of the company https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WD-40 (allegedly) named after the abbreviation from the term "Water Displacement, 40th formula", suggesting it was the result of the 40th attempt to create the product.

When IBM produced their line of big general-purpose mainframe computers in the mid-1960s, they called it "System 360" because it was an "all round system" - therefore "it covered all 360 degrees to cover the entire circle of possible uses". Allegedly, at a very prestigious press launch a Big Cheese from IBM was sat with a young journalist and asked "Do you know why we call it System 360?". To which the journo commendably replied "I thought it was because the first 359 didn't work".

Off-topic, sorry :)

John

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Emunbog

Emunbog

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On 4/17/2023 at 12:00 PM, KFo said:

So you know the shutter button assembly unscrews?  Unscrew  the button and rinse it in contact cleaner or IPA (isopropyl alcohol) till it works smoothly.  Then chill in total smugness knowing you didn't waste time and money on CLA.  
 

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Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

How did you manage to unscrew the shutter button? Is there any special tool?

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KFo

KFo

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27 minutes ago, Emunbog said:

How did you manage to unscrew the shutter button? Is there any special tool?

Just turned it with my fingers.  I do have the strength of 10 men though.

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  • 4 weeks later...
Cayenne

Cayenne

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On 4/23/2023 at 11:27 AM, KFo said:

Just turned it with my fingers.  I do have the strength of 10 men though.

Ah...ok, lemme give this a try.

I did with Q-tip and alcohol a number of times....seemed smoother at first, but if let setting a day or so...is sticky shutter button and on/off switch again...grr.

 

I'll see if I can get that button off next.

 

Thank you for all the advice!!

C

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