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.

[okbrancho]

I bought a 60w UV light on Amazon for less than 20 minutes and am now starting the 24 hour process with alum foil reflector.  I’ll reply with results within 7 days.  Wish me luck 🙂  

[okbrancho]

* bought for under $20 on Amazon.  (typo) 

[grtman]

I hope it works for you!  Share the model number and wattage of the lamp if available.

[okbrancho]

RE: 12x36 IS III  - The Ultra Violet light process did not work for me.  It is still sticky.

[davejj]

I also have a pair of Canon 10 x 30 IS binoculars and the rubber on them has become very tar like and sticky. The sticky rubber comes off on my hands, making using the binoculars a very unpleasant experience. This seems to be a common problem with these binoculars. Does anyone know if the Canon IS II 10 x 30 suffers in the same way?

[paunik]

Butanol as solvent worked best for me, much more effective than ethanol or isopropanol (and not as aggressive as acetone, do not use acetone)

[RichardPark]

My same binoc's suffered the same issue, like all the Canon binocs. Having nothing to lose (the instrument was unusable due to the sticky surface), I cleaned 'em off (I think I used isopropyl alcohol, but I'm not sure: it's been >10 years!) and painted 'em with Plasti-Dip. Ten years later, they still look like doo-doo. But the surface is fine. BTW, I left some portions un-clean prior to painting with Plasti-Dip: I can't tell the difference. So, you don't necessarily need to clean off the sticky junk, just paint with Plasti-Dip. My $400 binoculars, which I've had for >20 years, are still usable. Plasti-Dip did not pay me to write this!

Hope that helps!

Richard