Canon 10 X 30 IS Binoculars - sticky Rubber Coating

[ahofmann531]

I have a 10 X 30 IS binocular [serial number deleted for privacy].  The rubberized coating is disintegrating and has become very sticky.  I see others have had this problem with other high end models.  How do I improve the condition or get them repaired?  They work perfectly but are very uncomfortable to use.

[Tajarvis]

Guess what!  When I authorized the $250 I immediately received a revised quote for $475 for a major repair required to fix a "focus problem" i didn't know I had!  I called and they advised that the housing holding the optics would have to take place to solve the sticky rubber problem!  I said absolutely NO. Send them back!  All of the sudden there was a 40% discount offer and I was back to the ~$250 range.  I accepted again.  I will let you know on the SN.  I think the SN is printed in/on the housing which they will have to replace so i'm thinking there will be a new number.  Amazing they still don't acknowledge the problem.

[SamInPgh]

Wow! That's crazy. It's really not surprising, though, that they still refuse to acknowledge the problem. Once they made the initial business decision not to take any responsibility, they had to stick by it (pun intended). Otherwise, all those customers that paid for the "repair" in the past would want to be compensated. IMHO, the way this was handled is grounds for a class action lawsuit but I'll leave that to the lawyers. Personally, I'd pay $250 just to see all the internal corporate memos and emails on this subject from the past ten years or so but, unfortunately, I don't have a spare subpoena on me. 😁

[ironrod7]

Same problem and mine were stored inside a cabinet the last 8 years, sparingly used and no oils or chemicals have touched the casing of the binoculars.   CANNON YOU OWE US A FIX.

[Tajarvis]

Just received a new pair of binoculars for those I sent in for repair of the sticky problem.  Cost me $253.

[Tajarvis]

I received a new pair for my $253 repair.

[SamInPgh]

Thanks for following up. That's what I figured they would do. There's really no way to get them back to "like new" condition without completely disassembling and reapplying the coating to the housing. In the meantime, I have gotten mine back into usable (non-sticky) condition by following the advice of a couple of others to dust them with talcum powder once or twice a day for a few days, which somehow absorbs or otherwise neutralizes the stickiness of the disintegrating coating. I'll probably have to repeat the process every few weeks but I'd rather do that than give Canon another $250. Thanks again for posting your outcome. Take care and enjoy your new binos!

[gmasami1]

I notice there is a solid, non-sticky surface under the sticky rubber. I can scratch the sticky rubber off.  You can leave some of the sticky rubber to maintain some grip.  You only need to scrape the areas your fingers will touch while gripping the binoculars.

[Tajarvis]

Not my way of fixing things!  

[JHarryF]

Hi, JeffBrew — Just wondering how this lacquer fix has held up. I have this problem, too, with my very expensive Canon Bins. Will appreciate an update.

[Jeffbrew]

Its the season for birds, and my binoculars are seeing a lot of use. The lacquer is holding up beautifully and my binoculars are a pleasure to use. 

If you are devoted to the "matte" original finish of your binocs, then be aware that this appearance will change after this treatment, but in my opinion the somewhat glossy look on mine is kind of cool. I know that "flat" finish lacquers are available and might look a bit more like the original finish. In every respect except appearance, the binoculars work just the same as when I bought them over ten years ago.