The Story Behind This Test: I thought I had scored a real bargain online when I bought a used Nikon D70s from mpb.com. It’s actually a great marketplace for buying and selling used camera gear.
But… when the camera arrived, well — let’s just say “filthy” would be a polite description. Everything about this camera was sticky and dirty, but the worst part by far was the rubber coating.
Why Does Rubber Get Sticky Over Time?
Most likely, it’s because the plasticizers (softening agents) inside the rubber and plastic slowly evaporate after 15-20 years. What’s left behind is a sticky surface that attracts dirt and grime like crazy.
So I searched the internet for home remedies people recommend for this problem. I ended up testing 3 methods — but only one actually worked.
Method 1: Baby Powder (Wouldn’t Recommend)
Since I’m about to become a dad myself, this tip caught my eye. Just sprinkle some baby powder onto the sticky rubber, and you’re done. Well… not really.
This tip is more for rubber in general — not specifically for camera gear. And honestly, I wouldn’t recommend it.
Why It Doesn’t Work:
- Baby powder is super fine and gets into every little gap and crack.
- Sure, the sticky feeling disappears while the powder is on the surface.
- But do you really want a camera covered in white dust?
- Wipe it off with a damp cloth — and guess what? The stickiness comes right back.
Verdict: Temporary and messy. Not practical for cameras. Fail.
Method 2: Dish Soap with Water (Sounds Logical, Doesn’t Work)
This idea sounds reasonable at first. Dish soap cuts through grease and dirt — so why not sticky rubber?
The Problem:
Sticky rubber isn’t caused by grease or dirt. It’s a chemical breakdown of the rubber itself.
My Result:
I scrubbed and scrubbed — but once the camera dried, the rubber was just as sticky as before. It looked a bit cleaner, but still gross to touch.
Verdict: Not helpful for old, sticky rubber. Fail.
Method 3: Baking Soda Paste (Winner!)
After two failed internet tips, I didn’t have high hopes. But this method really surprised me.
The idea is to mix baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) with a little water into a thick paste. Then apply it to the sticky rubber using a toothbrush.
My Process:
After about 15 seconds of scrubbing, the white paste slowly turned brown — a good sign!
Wiping it off revealed rubber that was smooth, clean, and — most importantly — no longer sticky.
Why It Works:
The baking soda paste acts a bit like a very gentle abrasive cleaner, similar to a mild scouring cream.
Important: Clean Everything Thoroughly Afterwards
Be warned: After scrubbing, you’ll have tiny baking soda particles everywhere. I had to use small brushes, pins, and a lot of patience to clean every crack and gap.
The whole cleaning process took me about 2 hours. But honestly? It was absolutely worth it.
My old Nikon D70s looks and feels great again. No more sticky mess!
Final Thoughts
If you love hunting for bargains on used cameras, chances are you’ll eventually run into sticky rubber.
My recommendation:
Use the baking soda paste method — but be prepared for a bit of work. If you don’t have the patience or tools to clean every corner, it might be easier to spend a little more on a cleaner camera.
But for me? Totally worth it.
