how to make my canon dslr look like new (again)?

boerewors wrote in post #15337588
If you want to sell it, its one thing but if you want to keep it? My 60D is now 2 years old and going strong but all the rubber bits are fading to a whitish colour. It saddens me to see my imaging partner is getting ''grey hairs''. is there a way to stop the fading of the rubber bits?

I'd try some "Mothers Back to Black" on those surfaces, it worked on my 1dm4 rubber grips, it actually removes the staining and conditions the rubber, and it doesn't leave a slick surface. It returns the rubber to a new look and feel.

You need to apply with a cloth for a few times and scrub the surface with the cloth and wipe off, then apply some to dress the surface and let it soak in and then wipe away the excess. I have had good results doing this process.

It also pays to wipe the cam down with a damp micofibre cloth after use, to wipe away the sweat, which is what causes the discoloration.

http://www.mothers.com​/02_products/06108.htm​l

Hogloff wrote in post #15336250
If that is the case, then I would suggest you try not hide the real condition of the camera. That's bordering on dishonesty and makes for a problematic transaction. If you just wanted to spruce it up for yourself, I can understand that...but to hide it's actual condition is just wrong if you are planning on selling the camera.

+1

A knowledgeable buyer will notice anyway.

When I sell a car or motorcycle, I wash and wax it, detail the interior, clean the motor as much as practical, and use touch-up paint on the body for any little door dings or scratches.

I guess that's unethical as well.

LV Moose wrote in post #15344446
When I sell a car or motorcycle, I wash and wax it, detail the interior, clean the motor as much as practical, and use touch-up paint on the body for any little door dings or scratches.

I guess that's unethical as well.

A scratch on a car is not the same as a scratch on your camera. Sure, clean the camera, remove any grime, clean the sensor...but don't hide the dings and scratches.

Would you be happy to buy a camera that was dropped, dinged and scratched and then covered up without it being revealed to you? if not, why would you want to do the same to someone else?

Hogloff wrote in post #15344682
A scratch on a car is not the same as a scratch on your camera.

You're right; I pay a lot more for my cars, and have no problem having a scratch or blemish painted over, so why not a camera? As long as the scratch isn't on the LCD, sensor, mirror, or on a lens, what's the big deal about a scratch on the body?

Hogloff wrote in post #15344682
Would you be happy to buy a camera that was dropped, dinged and scratched and then covered up without it being revealed to you? if not, why would you want to do the same to someone else?

There's a big difference between a camera being dropped and scratched. Just like the difference between a car being scratched or in a wreck. Fixing the scratch on a camera body is not the same as hiding the fact that it's been dropped.

That being said, I personally don't think I'd bother, but that's just me.

Earlier the OP said the concern was finicky buyers expecting perfect condition. So my response is don't sell to finicky buyers. Save yourself the pain. I use my stuff, and I also take care of it. A finicky buyer is going to probably find a spec of dust somewhere, or a scuff on a hood. I'm not going to go out of my way to try and hide the use, but I will clean it up and have it be the best I can present it. I don't think I'd start replacing shells and such. If I did, I think I'd probably take a before picture and disclose it to the buyer, but that's just me. Bottom line is when you buy something used, you have no idea what has really happened to it before you got it.

LV Moose wrote in post #15345116
You're right; I pay a lot more for my cars, and have no problem having a scratch or blemish painted over, so why not a camera? As long as the scratch isn't on the LCD, sensor, mirror, or on a lens, what's the big deal about a scratch on the body?



There's a big difference between a camera being dropped and scratched. Just like the difference between a car being scratched or in a wreck. Fixing the scratch on a camera body is not the same as hiding the fact that it's been dropped.

That being said, I personally don't think I'd bother, but that's just me.

A scratch on a car typically does not affect the functionality of the car in any way, no matter how that scratch got onto the car. A scratch on a camera, depending on how the scratch got onto the camera, could affect the functionality. If the scratch was the result of the camera being dropped or banged against a brick wall, there could be long lasting internal issues.

Car scratches and camera scratches are two totally different beasts.

Hogloff wrote in post #15346291
A scratch on a car typically does not affect the functionality of the car in any way, no matter how that scratch got onto the car. A scratch on a camera, depending on how the scratch got onto the camera, could affect the functionality. If the scratch was the result of the camera being dropped or banged against a brick wall, there could be long lasting internal issues.

And a camera that has been dropped might not have a scratch on it. My 40D fell from a table onto cement. It had a flash on it at the time, which took the marring, but it could have had drastic effects internally (luckily, this was not the case). Same thing if a camera had been dropped but the lens hit the ground.

So, scratch; no scratch; scratch that's been covered with a marker... you can't tell anything about the internal works. So, either way, you've got to trust the seller.

The OP's is trying to clean up a camera for sale, and people are acting likes he's planning the crime of the century.

LV Moose wrote in post #15346334
And a camera that has been dropped might not have a scratch on it. My 40D fell from a table onto cement. It had a flash on it at the time, which took the marring, but it could have had drastic effects internally (luckily, this was not the case). Same thing if a camera had been dropped but the lens hit the ground.

So, scratch; no scratch; scratch that's been covered with a marker... you can't tell anything about the internal works. So, either way, you've got to trust the seller.

The OP's is trying to clean up a camera for sale, and people are acting likes he's planning the crime of the century.

Clean up or cover up. A big difference in my opinion. Cleaning the sensor, cleaning the leather, cleaning the sludge and grime away from all the nooks and crannies is one thing. Hiding scratches is a total different thing.

Collection of grime on the camera or dust on the sensor is the result of normal use. Scratches on a camera could be an indication of possible other internal issues. Hiding scratches is just wrong.

I've asked this before, but I'll ask you. Given two cameras that are the same, would you buy the one that is pristine or the one that contains scratches? If you answer pristine...how would you feel that under close inspection, you found some scratches that were covered up?

Hogloff wrote in post #15346487
I've asked this before, but I'll ask you. Given two cameras that are the same, would you buy the one that is pristine or the one that contains scratches? If you answer pristine...how would you feel that under close inspection, you found some scratches that were covered up?

Two used cameras side by side... pristine. But that's not the situation; there's only one, and knowing I'm buying a used camera, I wouldn't expect it to be prestine. I'd inspect it. And seeing the scratch, which on bodies of this type of material you'll see unless it's been magically filled, I might ask about it. In which case he can tell me the truth, or any fabricated story he comes up with. And if I buy a used camera that looks pristine, I still don't know whether it's been dropped or not.

LV Moose wrote in post #15346524
Two used cameras side by side... pristine. But that's not the situation; there's only one, and knowing I'm buying a used camera, I wouldn't expect it to be prestine. I'd inspect it. And seeing the scratch, which on bodies of this type of material you'll see unless it's been magically filled, I might ask about it. In which case he can tell me the truth, or any fabricated story he comes up with. And if I buy a used camera that looks pristine, I still don't know whether it's been dropped or not.

Yeh, you don't know for sure, but I would place my money on the camera without scratches...what about you? And how would you feel after close examination you find scratches that were covered up? I'd be pissed...I guess you would be OK with that?

Hogloff wrote in post #15346487
Clean up or cover up. A big difference in my opinion. Cleaning the sensor, cleaning the leather, cleaning the sludge and grime away from all the nooks and crannies is one thing.

"Sludge and grime" might be more indicative of abuse than some scratches. The thing could have been dropped in the mud, for all you know. But I guess cleaning it up in that case is okay, huh?

We're obviously not going to agree on this. The OP asked his question, and at least a couple people answered without passing moral judgement on him.

I'm done.

send it to Canon and get it "overhauled" maybe even ask to get a new shell for it, then sell it as refurbished. Not sure how much $$$ you gain but its peace of mind for you and the buyer and you can proof its been professionally overhauled. You don't have to disclose the money how much you paid for it though. just my opinion.

some people judge books by their covers, it seems.

Hogloff wrote in post #15346487
Clean up or cover up. A big difference in my opinion. Cleaning the sensor, cleaning the leather, cleaning the sludge and grime away from all the nooks and crannies is one thing. Hiding scratches is a total different thing.

Collection of grime on the camera or dust on the sensor is the result of normal use. Scratches on a camera could be an indication of possible other internal issues. Hiding scratches is just wrong.

I've asked this before, but I'll ask you. Given two cameras that are the same, would you buy the one that is pristine or the one that contains scratches? If you answer pristine...how would you feel that under close inspection, you found some scratches that were covered up?

I'm with you 100%!

Comparing this to scratches on a car is ridiculous...