Container of insect repellant leaked in my backpack and rubber coating on binocs is now all gooey. Remember as kid that Off would funk up my spinning reel handle. Is there anything that will neutralize and stabilize this. Don't care about how it looks. Thinking also about just putting camo tape over it. Not really a gunsmithing question but thought many experienced gear heads hang out here. Thanks

Clean with isopropyl alcohol. When dry, rub in a light coat of glycerin, available at drug store.

On your Binoculars?
Throw them in the trash and buy new ones.
Easy fix.

If they are real pricey ones, send them to the mfr for new rubber. I bought some Steiner's at a garage sale for $30 that had really bad outside condition. $80 and they are good as new. $110 for a nice set of $900 bino's.

My sons Leupolds we bought him for Xmas had the eye piece rubbers and a small part of the body rubber chewed by his dog. Took them into the retailer and within about three days picked up a brand new pair as replacements under warranty. Here in NZ they don't repair, only replace under the Leupold warranty.

Some of the rubber coated Browning X-Bolt plastic stocks eventually get sticky which can be remedied by rubbing with canola oil. It did work on my X-Bolt but not a permanent fix. May work on your binos.

Sorry Bob, no idea, other than send them back? sounds like the bug spray either melted or "re-plasticized" the rubber ..

by the by, NEVER let AT-205 Re-Seal touch anything rubber or plastic that you intend to touch again -- will eat the plastic off a rachet!!

Thanks for ideas. I have scrubbed with isopropyl and followed with sanding with 3M pad, and most of the sticky is gone. They are Minox too nice to throw away. Need a little more work, may cover with camo tape. I will check w Minox US to see if they have replacement eyecup rubber to replace. Bob

quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:
On your Binoculars?
Throw them in the trash and buy new ones.
Easy fix.

X2!!

Several years ago I finally stopped using DEET-based insect repellant. I got sick of melting fly-lines, turning recoil pads and binocular cups into mush, and taking the paint off the grab handles on my Jeep.

I now use Sawyer Pacaridin-base insect repellant. It is slightly less effective than 100% DEET, but has none of the unwanted side-effects. It really is good stuff.