Velbon Ultra Lux i f. tripod. Sticky handles.

Redspider

Redspider

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My tripod rubber handles have gone sticky. They were OK around seven months ago. Is there a quick fix or do I need new rubber handles?
 
Insulating tape over them could work or maybe try degreaser, the citrus stuff is very effective such as you can buy in cycle shops. Lakeland also sell it under the guise of sticky label residue remover, but is much more expensive per ml
 
I wondered about insulation tape. Will look for the other stuff. I'm also wondering if WD 40 might do, as it removes sticky tape?
 
Mine have gone sticky too!

My wife has just laid claim to my Manfrotto 190 XPROB which I was planning to sell following an upgrade to a carbon fibre tripod, so I dug out the Ultra Luxi F to sell that instead and noticed the rubber handles have gone sticky.

Have tried washing them in washing up liquid, and left to dry.
 
I seem to remember hearing of a product specifically for this problem on another forum.

Google is your friend... :)
 
This problem (sticky handles) is caused by a quirk of the chemistry of polyurethane. In brief it reaches a point through ageing where it will break down and become sticky to the touch. It's sometimes quite spontaneous after many years and can be accelerated by exposure to UV light.

The solution is actually quite easy. Disassemble the tripod handle so far as is possible, to remove the part affected and submerge in a solution of one teaspoon baking soda and one pint of cold water. Leave for 45 mins then rinse in cold water and dry. Voila, only the sticky stuff has dissolved in the alkaline solution, leaving you a clean fresh plastic surface beneath.
 
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If all else fails, sports shop that sells tennis gear, buy some sticky toweling wrap for racquet handles.
 
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