Gitzo black rubber makes my hand dirty

[kevs-2323668]

I got a used Gitzo, great tripod, but the black rubber things you turn to release legs, always leave hands dirty, even after cleaning them with sponge/water. Is there a solution? thanks.

[E. von Hoegh]

Wash hands?

[BrianShaw]

The rubber is likely degrading from airborne or other petrochemical contaminants. The best way is to "abrade" the surface to get rid of the unstable rubber. Try cleaning vigourously with a baby wipe -- the kind used to cleanse baby bottoms. Those are one of the best cleaning tools ever invented.

[Jerry Bodine]

I have some older metal Gitzos that overtime experienced deterioration of those gray grips, such that they became very dry and brittle and started to split. I went to Lowe's and bought a very inexpensive roll of black friction tape (3/4" wide, perfect fit), then took a sharp knife and easily removed each of the original grips by slitting across the width of the grip; the grips were not bonded to the lock ring. Then I wrapped the exposed lock ring with several turns of tape. Result: no black on hands and less squeezing effort needed to turn the lock ring. In your situation you might want to just wrap the tape over the grips if there's no deterioration yet.

[kevs-2323668]

Jerry, you lost me. These are the black rubber rings. not brittle, just leave dirt on hands. Brian, any brand? I have baby oil here, is that the same concept? Baby oil on a rag?

[Jerry Bodine]

Jerry, you lost me. These are the black rubber rings. not brittle, just leave dirt on hands.

Sorry for the confusion. The rubber grips on much earlier leg locks were gray, not black. I doubt yours are deteriorating, so I just suggested that you cover your black grips with the tape. You could try it on one grip to see if it resolves the issue before applying to all grips.

[BrianShaw]

Brian, any brand? I have baby oil here, is that the same concept? Baby oil on a rag?

You don't have babies in your house, eh? Baby oil on a rag will make it slippery and nice smelling, but that's not what you want. Huggies is one brand. The "plain wrap" brands are just as good though. Take a trip up the diaper aisle of your local supermarket!

[BrianShaw]

http://www.huggies.com/en-US/products

Scroll halfway down... to "wipes".

[BrianShaw]

p.s. Also good for detailing the interior of cars. Y'know that gunk that builds up on the steering wheel, and shifter and door handles? Baby wipes gets it off without scratching or abrading surfaces. I have no idea what is in them but if it is safe on a baby bottom, then it is likely safe for any applications. And they clean stuff (except that pesky adhesive remnants) like nothing else does.

[Chris Strobel]

Mask the legs and spray em with clear polyurethane.

[kevs-2323668]

Brian, so many choices? no kids yet.... but those are diapers in the link, not wipes? Am I correct, you said wipes originally. Chris, Brian solution seems easier, no? No need to Mask the legs.....

[Doremus Scudder]

Go to the Gitzo website and see if you can order replacements. I'm pretty sure they'll have them. I order stuff for my Manfrotto tripods (same company now) such as knobs, leg locks, etc. to keep my older tripods going.

Best,

Doremus

[Frank Petronio]

Old timers have permanent black marks diagonally across their palms, it's the mark of our secret society. Wear the badge with honor.

Or order a set of new rings. I've never had that problem in many years of using many Gitzos.

[Greg Lockrey]

Coat them with Pliobond. It's a rubberized adhesive that dries relatively hard but still flexible. You can get it in any hardware store.

[BrianShaw]

Brian, so many choices? no kids yet.... but those are diapers in the link, not wipes? Am I correct, you said wipes originally. Chris, Brian solution seems easier, no? No need to Mask the legs.....

Scroll halfway down the page. You're not following directions! Bad boy.

[kevs-2323668]

Thanks Brian/ Greg, will try to get both of these to try.