Cleaning and Maintenance (Whitening of the Camera Grip)

I have a 1D II that is in overall good shape but need a good exterior cleaning, specifically the grip. The rubber on the camera body is beginning to "whiten" and fade. Do you guys have any suggestions for methods doing a deep cleaning on the exterior and is there any way to restore the original look to the rubber or at least make it look better.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

I would start with a lightly dampened cloth of warm water, then I would suggest a cloth that has a little Armour All on it. The key is not to try to soak the rubber to the point where liquid could go where it is not supposed to. I am sure that there are some brave soles out there that would take the camera apart so that they could clean the grip by itself....but that is not for me.

Good call on the Armour All. Didnt even think of that. I actually have some in the car.

What ever you clean it with, just don't end up making the rubber part less grippy .. don't want it sliding out of your hand and falling to the floor.

Valid point as well. I have always cleaned my cameras with a damp rag, I am just wondering if there are any cleaning solutions that other people have used that have worked and not damaged the camera in any way, i.e. making the camera grip slick.

I use a few drops of dishwashing liquid in a bowl of warm water; dampen a clean washcloth and wipe. My camera bodies look fairly new although I've had them for a while.

Another technique I've seen used is baby wipes (the non-scented, hypoallergenic type) to wipe the body down.

I just picked up the 1D II for a good price used knowing that it was in need of a deep cleaning so i am looking for a way to clean away 7 years of wear. I know this is unrealistic but I want to get looking as good as possible. Thanks for the suggestions so far. I will let you guy know how they work out. Keep the suggestions coming though...

There is a great automotive poduct called "Back To Black", it works better than Armorall and lasts longer.

Armor All will make it slippery. There is a reason it comes with this warning:

PixelMagic wrote in post #13819292
.. Another technique I've seen used is baby wipes (the non-scented, hypoallergenic type) to wipe the body down.

Now that's just 'babying' it just a little too much ..

Frank3286 wrote in post #13819514
There is a great automotive poduct called "Back To Black", it works better than Armorall and lasts longer.

I love that stuff.

Perfect_10 wrote in post #13819620
Now that's just 'babying' it just a little too much ..

Well, this will blow your mind. I work for a large consumer goods company and much of our product shoots are done in-house. The equipment guys wrap the cameras and lens in cloth diapers for protection and they also use diapers to clean the equipment.

I think I might actually have some of that Back to Black. Is it a Mothers product? I used to have a black Grand Prix and I used that or something similar on it. Have you guys used the Back to Black on a camera before?

I would recommend 303 Aerospace Protectant. It's used for UV protection and as a rubber/vinyl dressing but will not make surfaces slick or shiny like Armor All.

WSoxfan0129 wrote in post #13820539
I think I might actually have some of that Back to Black. Is it a Mothers product? I used to have a black Grand Prix and I used that or something similar on it. Have you guys used the Back to Black on a camera before?

yeah its mothers, I've used it on my cars before but not a camera