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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> how to clean studio equip after fire
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08/01/2012 06:06:10 PM · #1
I had a house fire and although none of my equipment was actually burned, its all covered in soot. Thank God I had my big Nova 5 packed full of equipment for a shoot, my main camera, one of my flashes and ALL my lenses that are worth anything, they were all in my car trunk. Sadly my backup cameras had my 50mm 1.4 on it sitting on a table in the middle of the room, its covered.. I'll be taking it to a camera shop for cleaning. I have a large white diffusing umbrella which is now black.. it was quite expensive and something I want to try to clean not just replace.

I'm not sure what solution/scrubbers I should use for cleaning. There are different materials; like rubber, plastic, whatever umbrellas are made of, etc.. One of my flashes was mounted on an umbrella and its covered, my carbon fiber tripod and monopod both got it good, my reflector and several lowepro bags have a light dusting and my lensbabies, extension tubes and other laying around the studio items like remotes, cords, batteries etc. ... I don't want to scratch or damage anything but from experience cleaning other items in my home, soot is HARD to get off things. I've had to use the kitchen scotchbrite cleaning scrubbies with purple power, oxiclean, etc, concerned what to use for all this stuff since its not something I can easily replace (and it was not insured, yes I am an idiot. house was insured, not business equip).

Suggestions?
08/01/2012 06:25:53 PM · #2
Have they started cleaning the house yet? Maybe you can find out where to buy those soot sponges that they use for the walls?

08/01/2012 06:46:25 PM · #3
Contact Serv-Pro or something similar and see if they will do it or if there are any suggestions they can give you.
08/01/2012 06:49:51 PM · #4
Soot normally does not cling tightly to surfaces, so if the surface is non-porous it can usually be wiped off. There will possibly be issues with soot trapped in areas that you can't get to, although it is possible you could use a fine brush and an air blower to get as much of it as possible from nooks and crannies.
The umbrella I'd try using a mild detergent after blowing as much off with pressurized air as possible. It may not be possible to get it all out.
Ultimately, if your homeowner's (or renter's) insurance carries coverage on contents, submit the claim for the damaged equipment.
08/01/2012 07:29:09 PM · #5
There is a product called TSP I used it to clean stuff after I had a house fire several years ago. You might try that

Era: here's a link to some info //life.familyeducation.com/natural-disaster-damage/home-repairs/47816.html

Message edited by author 2012-08-01 19:35:53.
08/01/2012 08:12:37 PM · #6
Originally posted by kirbic:

Soot normally does not cling tightly to surfaces, so if the surface is non-porous it can usually be wiped off. There will possibly be issues with soot trapped in areas that you can't get to, although it is possible you could use a fine brush and an air blower to get as much of it as possible from nooks and crannies.
The umbrella I'd try using a mild detergent after blowing as much off with pressurized air as possible. It may not be possible to get it all out.
Ultimately, if your homeowner's (or renter's) insurance carries coverage on contents, submit the claim for the damaged equipment.


It depends upon what type of fire. If it's a kitchen fire, then a fine grease layers everything and is like glue to the soot. I had a kitchen fire, and the endtire house was washed, including the ceilings downstairs and upstairs.
08/01/2012 08:28:52 PM · #7
First, I have no clue how to help you solve your problem with the soot.
Second, I'm really sorry you had a fire and is there anything I can help with?
Third, Art has been missing for awhile and why are there so many fires?
08/02/2012 12:10:46 AM · #8
I would start with a vacuum (with a HEPA filter if you are indoors) then a static brush. The risk of just toweling it down is pushing all the soot into the body openings and seams, the very places where you least want it.

If it was a kitchen fire, as Wendy said, the oils are a great binding agent for the ash. Tri Sodium Phosphate works great as a degreaser, but it is very abrasive and the solution will re-crystalize when it dries. I would think lens cleaning solution would do the job, it is designed to get the grease off your glass and not hurt your coatings.
08/02/2012 08:11:34 AM · #9
Won't the insurance company pay for cleaning your studio equipment? I know my business policy covers all of that.

Matt

Edit to add, I didn't see the last line about no insurance. Man that really sucks. I know from working with the fire dept how hard that stuff is to get off stuff. Most times it gets tossed out and replaced. I'll ask the guys down at the firehouse what they recommend.

Message edited by author 2012-08-02 08:13:57.
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