How to remove sand from lens cap?

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

07/24/2008 01:53:17 PM · #1

Ok, just to beat all the wiseguys to the punch,I know the first thing to do is NOT drop the lens cap (for my Nikkor 18-200mm) into the sand. *Ah, longing for the good ol' days when lens caps were just simple black disks that you just popped off and on, not complex little thingies with moving parts...*

But I did drop it in the sand, and although I managed to get most of the loose sand out, when I squeeze the sides to fit the cap back on, I can still hear a couple more grains grinding around. I am tempted to try swishing some water around in the cap, but am afraid it may cause further damage or lodge the grains in even more. And of course I don't want to scratch up my lovely and expensive lens.

Any helpful suggestions?

thegrandwazoo

Nikon D750

07/24/2008 01:56:44 PM · #2

Water, Canned air or new lens cap. :-)

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

07/24/2008 01:57:56 PM · #3

I would suggest dipping it into rubbing alcohol and squeezing it while submerged. The alcohol will prevent rusting of the springs if they are metal and hopefully squeezing will help work the sand out and not further in.

Tim

kyebosh

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 80-200mm f/2.8L

07/24/2008 01:58:56 PM · #4

air compressor with a blower attachment should do it. I'm not sure if the canned air would put residue you don't want near your lens elements?

thegrandwazoo

Nikon D750

07/24/2008 02:00:38 PM · #5

Originally posted by kyebosh:

air compressor with a blower attachment should do it. I'm not sure if the canned air would put residue you don't want near your lens elements?

Hardly. If she were to spray it on the glass I would agree...

"A gas duster is usually used to clean or dust delicate or sensitive items such as electronic components and computer equipment, as the gases used do not leave residues on sensitive equipment. However, they can create static unless a specific ESD safe compound is added. The spray can often reach places where other cleaning implements cannot."

Message edited by author 2008-07-24 14:02:06.

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

07/24/2008 02:02:49 PM · #6

I know neighbour has an aircompressor but don't know about a blower attachment...wazoo, what do you think about Tim's rubbing alcohol idea?

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

07/24/2008 02:03:00 PM · #7

I always swished mine around in water while working the springs, worked fine. Haven't had to do it for quite a while though. Never got any rust that I'm aware of. Air-dry thoroughly before using afterwards, of course.

R.

thegrandwazoo

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

07/24/2008 02:05:38 PM · #8

Originally posted by snaffles:

I know neighbour has an aircompressor but don't know about a blower attachment...wazoo, what do you think about Tim's rubbing alcohol idea?

Worth a try and Bear has much more experience than I so I might give the water a try as well.

glad2badad

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic

07/24/2008 02:07:35 PM · #9

The safest route?

:-)

07/24/2008 02:07:37 PM · #10

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Oh I would ensure it was well-dried! However my water is so hard there are virtually rocks coming out of the tap at times, I'd have to use distilled water, in which case I just have to raid my dehumidifier's collecting tank.

But I am currently leaning towards the rubbing-alcohol answer, mostly cause it's always worked in the past, and that stuff evaporates.

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

07/24/2008 02:10:51 PM · #11

Originally posted by glad2badad:

The safest route?

:-)

LOL, another route to consider - but $14 for a lens cap,BEFORE shipping?! Luckily Henry's has a spankin' new location fairly close to me, it may save me some waiting time to just go buy it!

In the meantime, I have a lens-cleaning cloth between lens and lens cap. Figure it might help catch any loose sand and protect lens, if nothing else.

Message edited by author 2008-07-24 14:14:18.

glad2badad

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic

07/24/2008 02:12:56 PM · #12

Originally posted by snaffles:

Originally posted by glad2badad:
The safest route?

:-)

LOL, one to consider - but $14 for a lens cap,BEFORE shipping?! Luckily Henry's has a spankin' new location fairly close to me, it may save me some waiting time to just go buy it!

Agree. Local store would be least expensive route for sure! :-P

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

07/24/2008 02:13:58 PM · #13

Originally posted by snaffles:

Originally posted by Bear_Music:
I always swished mine around in water while working the springs, worked fine. Haven't had to do it for quite a while though. Never got any rust that I'm aware of. Air-dry thoroughly before using afterwards, of course.

R.

Oh I would ensure it was well-dried! However my water is so hard there are virtually rocks coming out of the tap at times, I'd have to use distilled water, in which case I just have to raid my dehumidifier's collecting tank.

But I am currently leaning towards the rubbing-alcohol answer, mostly cause it's always worked in the past, and that stuff evaporates.

Yeah but alcohol and plastic sometimes don't do well together. But lens cap hardware is stainless steel, rust should not be an issue. As to the hard water problem, that's why God gave us supermarkets with entire aisles of various waters :-) Trust me, it'll work.

R

07/24/2008 02:17:12 PM · #14

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

I'm guessing the springs were stainless steel. However, as a metallurgical engineer I prefer alcohol because I know it will not cause rusting.

ETA: A lot of countries in the Asia Pacific region don't always use the same quality of steel that products made in the USA or Japan. Today's lens caps may not contain stainless.

If you do use water, I would use a hair dryer to help remove as much moisture as possible.

Tim

Message edited by author 2008-07-24 14:20:37.

07/24/2008 02:17:46 PM · #15

Ok, so final toss-up time: rubbing alcohol or distilled water?

Message edited by author 2008-07-24 14:18:51.

Tamron 16-300mm Di II VC PZD MACRO w/Canon Nikon mount

07/24/2008 02:25:18 PM · #16

Originally posted by snaffles:

Ok, so final toss-up time: rubbing alcohol or distilled water?

If you don't have alcohol at home I'd go with the water. It's only a lens cap.

Tim

Edit: I spell like an engineer.

Message edited by author 2008-07-24 14:26:23.

JulietNN

Canon EOS R7

07/24/2008 02:28:43 PM · #17

funnily enough i have a perfect solution for you.

I had taken my cap off and stuck it in my shorts pocket. I then forgot about it completly. Stuck the shorts in a washing machine and then the drier. Put the shorts on and found the cap. Was worried that it may have shrunk in the heat of the drier, but it had not. It was the cleanest thing on my camera. just put it inside of something before you wash it!

07/24/2008 02:36:23 PM · #18

Originally posted by JulietNN:

Don't forget the dryer ;-)

Tim

07/24/2008 04:29:59 PM · #19

Originally posted by atupdate:

Originally posted by JulietNN:
funnily enough i have a perfect solution for you.

I had taken my cap off and stuck it in my shorts pocket. I then forgot about it completly. Stuck the shorts in a washing machine and then the drier. Put the shorts on and found the cap. Was worried that it may have shrunk in the heat of the drier, but it had not. It was the cleanest thing on my camera. just put it inside of something before you wash it!

Don't forget the dryer ;-)

Tim

Lol now there's another possible solution! But normally I just hang clothes to dry...though now we have a monsoon-like rain beating down upon us, some of my clothing is getting an extra rinse :-)

07/25/2008 12:14:03 PM · #20

OK I know everyone's holding their breath....

I went with the rubbing alcohol immersion/squeeze method for about 20 seconds total, then set it out to air-dry away from any direct heat source. Lens cap seems fine now, thanks all for your input!

Susan