De-Smoking a Camera

paulcamcas

paulcamcas

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Just bought a used camera and it reeks of smoke. Has anyone successfully "de-smoked" a camera? Any tips?
 
Thanks Simon. Sounds like good suggestions. What's IPA?
 
I wouldn't use alcohol on plastic products, whilst it'll be more effective than the other suggestions, it'll possibly damage the surface. A few goes over with baby wipes followed by a car interior wipe should do the trick.
 
I bought a 2nd hand camera that reeked of smoke a couple of years ago. It does dissipate over about 3 months
 
ecoleman said:
Is it a legal requirement to do so?

I like beer. Should I advertise my next camera for sale as a drinkers camera?
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If you like. So you wouldn't mind your items/home/kids objects to stink like smoke. Good for you.
 
ecoleman said:
I like beer. Should I advertise my next camera for sale as a drinkers camera?
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It would be polite to do so if it stinks of beer. In any case this thread is about cleaning the camera as I have no intention of returning it or making a fuss with the seller.
 
ecoleman said:
Probably not, but you can't send something back just because it wasn't advertised as being used by a smoker.
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Well thats like saying you can't send something back because it was covered in a turd thats going to stink for the next few months. Its common courtesy and depending where the OP bought it from it might be an option.
 
twist said:
Well thats like saying you can't send something back because it was covered in a turd thats going to stink for the next few months. Its common courtesy and depending where the OP bought it from it might be an option.
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Not really. Nobody said it wasn't an option. The OP has already said it's not something he is interests in doing and is quite happy to keep the camera.

It was just the way you put it, as if it is his right to return it because he doesn't like the smell.
 
ecoleman said:
Not really. Nobody said it wasn't an option. The OP has already said it's not something he is interests in doing and is quite happy to keep the camera.

It was just the way you put it, as if it is his right to return it because he doesn't like the smell.
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No, its not his 'right', can you see the question mark next to 'send it back?' It was a question/option, not a comment, or I would've used an exclamation mark!

He said he doesnt want to send it back AFTER I had posted that reply/option. ;)
 
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Paul you should try this, it should work. :thinking:

 
That'll do it! Probably even better if I combine with Gary's advice and bath it in wee.
 
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Phil V said:
I wouldn't use alcohol on plastic products, whilst it'll be more effective than the other suggestions, it'll possibly damage the surface. A few goes over with baby wipes followed by a car interior wipe should do the trick.
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I have used it on my Fuji cameras and I haven't had a problem. I bought an Xpro-1 from here a few months ago and the seller had covered parts of the camera up with tape, IPA cleaned up the glue residue no problems. I think with most alcohol's that they evapourate so quick they haven't got time to cause too much damage, well it seems to be the way my IPA works.
 
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Phil V said:
I wouldn't use alcohol on plastic products, whilst it'll be more effective than the other suggestions, it'll possibly damage the surface. A few goes over with baby wipes followed by a car interior wipe should do the trick.
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acetone or DCM can do a bit of damage depending on materials, but not alcohols. Have you ever spilled your vodka or wine on anything plastic? Did it melt? No? I thought so.
 
Swanseajack said:
I have used it on my Fuji cameras and I haven't had a problem. I bought an Xpro-1 from here a few months ago and the seller had covered parts of the camera up with tape, IPA cleaned up the glue residue no problems. I think with most alcohol's that they evapourate so quick they haven't got time to cause to much damage, well it seems to be the way my IPA works.
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Yup. IPA is used to clean all sorts of digital goodies.
 
Not sure where, but I've read several times that a peeled and cut onion absorbs smells. Worth a Google to check this out. I know that one reference was to reduce/eliminate the smell of new paint, but the worse that'll happen is your camera will smell of onion! :)
 
With tobacco smoke it will stain and leave a sticky residue, all depending how close the camera has been to the smoker. The only way to clean it, is too degrease it like what painters do when using Sugar Soap. Can you remeber what pub ceilings used to be like before the smoking ban came in.
 
You could try the technique I was privvy to a few weeks ago [and yes, I am a smoker, shock horror] - take your camera to shoot a wedding, get about half a bottle of champagne spilt all over it! The smell wasn't too bad but took most of the wedding breakfast to remove the sticky feeling with a clean damp cloth or 3 :rolleyes:
 
Citrus degreaser would probably work well and leave a pleasant enough odour. Used it on my bike with no problems or damage and some of the components such as xtr shifters were quite valuable
 
Yv said:
You could try the technique I was privvy to a few weeks ago [and yes, I am a smoker, shock horror] - take your camera to shoot a wedding, get about half a bottle of champagne spilt all over it! The smell wasn't too bad but took most of the wedding breakfast to remove the sticky feeling with a clean damp cloth or 3 :rolleyes:
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OMG an actual smoker :eek:
 
tijuana taxi said:
Citrus degreaser would probably work well and leave a pleasant enough odour. Used it on my bike with no problems or damage and some of the components such as xtr shifters were quite valuable
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It probably has some IPA or different alcohol in it... same for decent toilet wipes (Tesco ones are too soapy)
 
damp cloth can help, then stick it somewhere to "air" for as long as you can

i cleaned something up with ipa a few days ago, and the fumes do get to u after awhile.

i think its the oils and tar + misc chemicals in baccy that make it stick to things and make them slightly tacky and smell too
 
Fag smoke deposits on electronics act as an insulator thereby potentially shortening working life through overheating of components.

It should be mandatory to declare it IMO.

And hello btw, first post here :-)
 
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