Dirt on yellow binocular

[amadeus]

I recently bought a new vanguard binocular wich looks nice. But I get black lines wich look ugly on the yellow rubber. I have tried with normal washing remedies but Can,t get it yellow again. Any advice?

[amadeus]

I have to ad that it has only been touched 5-6 times and never been used in dirty environment.

[sy_gilana]

wd40?

[s/v Jedi]

Is it mold? Does the rubber get sticky?

[amadeus]

No it's not mold. It is brand new. Or has been in stock in the shop for some time I guess. Bought it from a shop that was shutting down.only been touched by fingers. It looks like when you take a coin under some paper and draw carefully to copy it. The black lines comes where there are edges. It's a vanguard marine 7x50.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by amadeus

No it's not mold. It is brand new. Or has been in stock in the shop for some time I guess. Bought it from a shop that was shutting down.only been touched by fingers. It looks like when you take a coin under some paper and draw carefully to copy it. The black lines comes where there are edges. It's a vanguard marine 7x50.

I guess it is staining from your hands. Try to clean with Joy or Dawn. If that works, wash hands and then try to get it dirty again by rubbing, squeezing etc. If it stains again, it is the oils from your skin.

[David M]

Try some rubber/vinyl protectant.

[jgbrown]

Belt conditioner works a treat. Great on shore power cords too.

[rwidman]

Lanolin based non abrasive hand cleaner might get them clean. I use it to clean plastic tool handles when they get dirty enough to bother me.

[senormechanico]

I like Simple Green, and use it on lots of different plastics, including every sewing machine I service.

[s/v Jedi]

How about Mr Musculo?! That guy is so strong that it must clean up quick!

[chrisjs]

My Steiners developed a sticky/gummy surface after about 6 years. They had been stored in a bag out of direct sunlight an in our pilothouse. After complaining in writing to Steiner, they replaced the rubber armor coating FoC. I figured they should have done that since $850 for a set of binos should buy you more than $85 from West Marine!! If the yellow ones were mine I would return them to their manufacturer for warranty repair/replacement and complain strongly if they are "out of warranty".

[Gpolar]

Bleach may worth a try. But careful on the yellow color if it resist bleach.

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by amadeus

I recently bought a new vanguard binocular wich looks nice. But I get black lines wich look ugly on the yellow rubber. I have tried with normal washing remedies but Can,t get it yellow again. Any advice?

Did you ever find a cleaner that took care of the problem? What was it?

[jceo]

Try one of those magic erasers, it worked for me in a similar situation.