Photoflex cleaning speedring and assembling half dome

I have a Photoflex Halfdome Medium softbox and the 9000 series speedring and I have two questions about this setup.

My first question is that if I want to clean the speedring, is there anything special I should do to it or know about it? The adapter that connects to my speedotron heads is fine, but the ring part where the rods slide into has a residue on it that leaves a gray/silvery subtance and my hands whenever I touch it. I want to remove this as that goes straight from my hands to whatever I touch (like the white interior of the Halfdome. Is there anything special I need to do when cleaning it or can I just hit it with a sponge and some dish detergent?

The next question is how can I make it easier to assemble/disassemble the dome? The rods weren't too terrible to get into the speedring, but removing them was a ****. I originally did this in my living room on a rug, so that was not big deal, but I plan on using this modifier primarily on location and for shooting people and cars. I don't want to be stuck trying to remove the rods from the ring while having the front of the box digging into the ground or rubbing across pavement where it could wear it down or cause stains/discolorations.

Village_Idiot wrote in post #12418892
I have a Photoflex Halfdome Medium softbox and the 9000 series speedring and I have two questions about this setup.

My first question is that if I want to clean the speedring, is there anything special I should do to it or know about it? The adapter that connects to my speedotron heads is fine, but the ring part where the rods slide into has a residue on it that leaves a gray/silvery subtance and my hands whenever I touch it. I want to remove this as that goes straight from my hands to whatever I touch (like the white interior of the Halfdome. Is there anything special I need to do when cleaning it or can I just hit it with a sponge and some dish detergent?

The next question is how can I make it easier to assemble/disassemble the dome? The rods weren't too terrible to get into the speedring, but removing them was a ****. I originally did this in my living room on a rug, so that was not big deal, but I plan on using this modifier primarily on location and for shooting people and cars. I don't want to be stuck trying to remove the rods from the ring while having the front of the box digging into the ground or rubbing across pavement where it could wear it down or cause stains/discolorations.

I would imagine that alcohol or any mild solvent should remove the gunk from the aluminum speed ring.

If you have a Photoflex half dome then you have the quick release corners, which is one of the best features in Photoflex lightboxes. When you want to release the tension and disassemble the box you just release the corners and let the rods straighten. Then just pop them out of the speed ring.

I was about to try to clean my own new speedring, that thing is messy. I was going to try a mild detergent on a rag, no water at first, then a damp cloth to wipe off any remaining residue.
As for collapsing, I have always had good lock placing the exterior corner of the box on the ground (exterior meaning the black part of the softbox) or another solid surface and push down on it, flexing the rod that is contacting the ground. While flexed, the rod that is diagonally opposite loses much of its tension and is much easier to remove. Once that is done, repeat the process for the remaining rod.
Hope that helps!

That works but why not use the quick release corners? They really do make it simple.

I don't have a Photoflex softbox except for the Octodome NXT, so I didn't know they even had that feature! I was just talking about softboxes in general. I'm really impressed with the NXT, I'm going to be ordering more from Photoflex.

TMR Design wrote in post #12418918
I would imagine that alcohol or any mild solvent should remove the gunk from the aluminum speed ring.

If you have a Photoflex half dome then you have the quick release corners, which is one of the best features in Photoflex lightboxes. When you want to release the tension and disassemble the box you just release the corners and let the rods straighten. Then just pop them out of the speed ring.

LOL wut? I didn't get a manual. Googling now.

Village_Idiot wrote in post #12419057
LOL wut? I didn't get a manual. Googling now.

The velcro in the corners of Photoflex lightboxes is a quick release tab. When the box is fully assembled and there is tension on the rods, you just release the corners, flatten the box and take the rods out of the speed ring.

Then fasten the corners again and you're all set.

TMR Design wrote in post #12419085
The velcro in the corners of Photoflex lightboxes is a quick release tab. When the box is fully assembled and there is tension on the rods, you just release the corners, flatten the box and take the rods out of the speed ring.

Then fasten the corners again and you're all set.

This worked out perfectly. I'm going to buy another Photoflex Half Dome now. That older speed ring I have is the 8000 series and it may even work with it from some of the reading I've been doing.

All I need now is the other dome and two booms. I tested it out on a car last night and the light was just beautiful.

Glad to hear it worked out.

To follow up on the cleaning, I cleaned mine yesterday with a bit of dish soap (works awesome on anything with grease or oil) and a bit of paper towel. I didn't use water to avoid too many suds. It is now perfectly clean!