Cleaning a Tripod Head

[jhzafrani]

Hello All,

I have a Gitzo G1376M ball head that got dirty over the weekend. I managed to drop it in very fine sand. Now, the movement is not smooth and the head tends to get stuck in some places.

What is the best way to clean it?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Prydain]

I just bought a 1275M so I'm interested in whatever solution you come up with. I would certainly give the techs at Bogen Imaging a call and get their advice. Fine sand will grind away at that magnesium housing and possibly score the ball or clamping surfaces I wouldn't try working it out. I can't help but think this will require complete disassembly.

[JohnJ80]

Contact the mfg. The methods for this are all over the map and depend on mfg. Some say use WD40, others say not to.

J

[Mitcon]

When I get any form of grit in my heads I always pull them down to clean them as it's the only good/safe way I know to make certain theres nothing in them that can/will damage them. I don't use any form of wet lubricant as it will attract more grit in the end. But I clean my heads every couple of months anyway just as part of regular kit servicing/maintenance when I go over everything in my kit.

Thats not to say I leave gear dirty lol as if I know something is dirty it also gets cleaned straight away. If your not certain on what to do I'd follow John's advice and call the Mfg.

[lostdoggy]

I wouldn't recommend WD40, especially if there is plastic parts involve.

If you down the head in sand I would suggest carefully take it apart and if possible blow off as much sand as possible. Then use paper towels to wipe and then fold so that you are always wiping with a section of sand free towel. Then find out from manufacture the type of grease to use to recoat the ball with. If you can't find the type of grease from manufacture then look for grease that is safe for the material you're applying it on. As a last resort maybe some petroleum jelly, since its safe on a babies tush and its store in a plastic container how corrosive can it be.

[JohnJ80]

All depends on the mfg. For example, IIRC, Kirk says to clean it using WD40. Markins makes a very similar head, says to absolutely not to do that.

J

[doesnotfollow]

Recent update on general tripod care:

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012...of-your-tripod

[P51Mstg]

For those who DONT KNOW (probably most of you) WD-40 is a water displacement compound. There is a carrier that acts like a solvent and frees things up, a light oil for lubricating. However as time passes (like a week or more) it basically turns to a sticky wax.

It was originally developed to protect Atlas Missle parts from rust and some other things in the space industry....

Tripod heads.. NOPE. Locks.. Better not do those either.........

Me... Take it apart, drop it in an ultrasonic cleaner..... Better yet, send it back to the factory and they can clean it.

Mark H

[maverick75]

^I was gonna say the same thing, I come from a car restoration background so I know all about WD40.

From my experience it sucks as a lubricant , I just use it to clean it up then apply the correct grease/lube.

[neilgcart]

Originally Posted by JohnJ80

All depends on the mfg. For example, IIRC, Kirk says to clean it using WD40. Markins makes a very similar head, says to absolutely not to do that.

J

Markins actually instruct you to use alcohol or WD 40 (1-3 drops) to clean their ball heads so they are in line with Kirk. I have successfully cleaned my Markins head as instructed with WD40 to remove fine grit before on a couple of occasions when grit has been stuck in the assembly. It did not seem like the right thing to use at the time but I worked on the principle that the manufacturer is more likely to know what is best and they did. I think the best advice would be to contact the manufacturer and check what is safe to use.

Neil