How to wash/care for “sticky” Swarovski armor? (2 Viewers)

[Winchester44]

Hello all I have a recent pair of Swarovski 8 x 42 HD’s made in 2014. The armor has become extremely sticky and soft. It makes it a huge hassle to get in and out of the binocular harness. Does anyone have any recommendations on how to clean the armor or get rid of the stickiness? I’ve read that Swaro now sells a brush soap for this on your repairs, but mine did not come with them and I don’t see this for sale online.


Long-term I think I need to just send them in to have the armor replaced as there are chunks of it falling off and it’s now rubbing on focuser. It looks like this armor is bad quality or they got a bad formulation. However, I’d like to use them this spring for birding before parting with them for a month or two.

I have 40+ year old Leica and Zeiss with Rubber Armour that have held up much better. My slightly older pair of EL’s have the best armor of any binocular I’ve ever had.

Many thanks in advance!

 

[tehri]

Any recommendations on how to clean the armor or get rid of the stickiness?

None, except in the worst case scenario, wrapping your binoculars with tape, as some do in such cases... A little advantage to this is that you can have beautiful colors choice if you want !

Long-term I think I need to just send them in to have the armor replaced

Not at long-term, but NOW !!!!

 

[Cavendish]

I'd wager you won't be able to sort the stickiness out yourself. In which case I'd contact Swaro ASAP as they seem to be paying more attention to whether warranty periods have expired. If yours are only just out of warranty they may be more inclined not to charge. One thing to be aware of is that the repair is likely to take eight weeks or so due to their backlog.

 

[Dennis Mau]

I have heard of some birders using isopropyl alcohol to clean the stickiness off of their Canon's armor, but I don't think you should have to bother with that with a $2500 binocular that is under warranty. I would send them into Swarovski, and hopefully you will get the new and improved armor on yours when they replace the armor. What model of Swarovski do you have? I am not sure what the 8x42 HD is. Is it the 8x42 SLC HD?

 

[42za]

I experienced the sticky rubber on my Swarovski , and I could not find a remedy that worked.
The only recourse that you may have is to return the binocular to Swarovski if you can.
In my case I am unable to return the binocular , so I am stuck with it.
You have my sympathy and understanding on this.

 

[Mike Crawley]

If you are unhappy with the armour on your binoculars, consider contacting Swarovski customer service.
They will probably offer to change the armour for you, not free obviously.

 

[Hermann]

I experienced the sticky rubber on my Swarovski , and I could not find a remedy that worked. [snip]
In my case I am unable to return the binocular , so I am stuck with it.

Talcum may work, at least temporarily. If you can't get hold of talcum, try baby powder as a last resort.

I used both on "sticky" plastics in the past with pretty good success.

Hermann

 

[Richard D]

If you are unhappy with the armour on your binoculars, consider contacting Swarovski customer service.
They will probably offer to change the armour for you, not free obviously.

They might replace it for free - so far they've been replacing armour past the warranty period where it's failed as a gesture of good will. No harm in asking.

No idea whether Zeiss are still doing the same for their SFLs, but they were (grey version).

 

[Dennis Mau]

I experienced the sticky rubber on my Swarovski , and I could not find a remedy that worked.
The only recourse that you may have is to return the binocular to Swarovski if you can.
In my case I am unable to return the binocular , so I am stuck with it.
You have my sympathy and understanding on this.

Why can't you return the binocular to Swarovski? It should be under warranty.

 

[Winchester44]

I have heard of some birders using isopropyl alcohol to clean the stickiness off of their Canon's armor, but I don't think you should have to bother with that with a $2500 binocular that is under warranty. I would send them into Swarovski, and hopefully you will get the new and improved armor on yours when they replace the armor. What model of Swarovski do you have? I am not sure what the 8x42 HD is. Is it the 8x42 SLC HD?

I’m sorry, yes SLC.

 

[Winchester44]

They might replace it for free - so far they've been replacing armour past the warranty period where it's failed as a gesture of good will. No harm in asking.

No idea whether Zeiss are still doing the same for their SFLs, but they were (grey version).

Thank you so much upon closer examination it looks like it has swelled and is rubbing the focuser. At least that may be the cause of the sticky focus!

 

[Winchester44]

I experienced the sticky rubber on my Swarovski , and I could not find a remedy that worked.
The only recourse that you may have is to return the binocular to Swarovski if you can.
In my case I am unable to return the binocular , so I am stuck with it.
You have my sympathy and understanding on this.

Upon closer examination, several large chunks have flaked off and a split his developed on both the objective rims. Long story short it appears to be quite literally falling apart. Looks like they’re going back to Swarovski for repairs. Probably due for a cleaning anyhow.

 

[Winchester44]

I'd wager you won't be able to sort the stickiness out yourself. In which case I'd contact Swaro ASAP as they seem to be paying more attention to whether warranty periods have expired. If yours are only just out of warranty they may be more inclined not to charge. One thing to be aware of is that the repair is likely to take eight weeks or so due to their backlog.

Thank you very much for this information!

They are long out of warranty (2013). Just disappointing to see such a non-durable choice of material. I’ve owned two earlier generation SLC and a later generation EL. The armor on those looked absolutely fine even after decades. Same with Zeiss, Leica, Nikon.

Happy to pay for new armor if they charge me.
However if they do, I might not be able to help myself and ask them to tell me what it is!

 

[SGBirder]

Upon closer examination, several large chunks have flaked off and a split his developed on both the objective rims. Long story short it appears to be quite literally falling apart. Looks like they’re going back to Swarovski for repairs. Probably due for a cleaning anyhow.

Yes it needs replacing. Tried various methods on mine but once the material starts to deteriorate it will only get worse - stickier, hard and brittle.

While your binoculars may be out of warranty, there could be a case to be made to Swarovski that this armour material is a widespread issue that they've acknowledged and have (reportedly) improved the material since. Hope they fix it FOC for you!

 

[Winchester44]

Yes it needs replacing. Tried various methods on mine but once the material starts to deteriorate it will only get worse - stickier, hard and brittle.

While your binoculars may be out of warranty, there could be a case to be made to Swarovski that this armour material is a widespread issue that they've acknowledged and have (reportedly) improved the material since. Hope they fix it FOC for you!

Just spoke with SONA, could not have been nicer! They confirmed they don't have a new formulation of armor for this particular model so I can plan on sending them back again in another decade or so. No commitment on replacing FOC, but didn't rule it out either.

They also cautioned me to wait on sending in another pair that really just need cleaning. As I was warned they are backed up and said plan on 6-8 weeks.They are focused strictly on repairs right now.

Thanks everyone!

 

[tenex]

Can you clarify which model SLC this is? SLC HD would have black on the inner side of the tubes, and I haven't heard of armor issues with it (or similar vintage ELs). The later/final SLC WB would have pebbly armor with a swoop on it, all lighter green, and there have been complaints of focus wheels rubbing even without armor degradation.

 

[Winchester44]

Can you clarify which model SLC this is? SLC HD would have black on the inner side of the tubes, and I haven't heard of armor issues with it (or similar vintage ELs). The later/final SLC WB would have pebbly armor with a swoop on it, all lighter green, and there have been complaints of focus wheels rubbing even without armor degradation.

They are the green all over with no black. Believe they are 2013 vintage.

 

[tenex]

They are the green all over with no black. Believe they are 2013 vintage.

Thanks. I think those appeared in 2014, but in any case the serial number easily gives the date for yours (add the first two digits to 1930). My SLC 56s have the same armor which has lasted 6 years now, as I have to hope it continues to.

 

[Winchester44]

Thanks. I think those appeared in 2014, but in any case the serial number easily gives the date for yours (add the first two digits to 1930). My SLC 56s have the same armor which has lasted 6 years now, as I have to hope it continues to.

That’s what I had read on year and serial number too. However see below.

Also your comment on the SLC 56 reminded what they told me on the phone that the larger 56 objective model since they were made longer gave the new armour available, but Swaro refuses to produce the new improved armour for the the smaller 42 objective until they used up all the old stock. They admitted this was frustrating and I would likely be sending them back again as it doesn’t last.

 

[Rg548]

This is quite worrying if this armour problem goes back as far as 2013/14.
I thought it was only on more recent models.
It's good they are renowned for great customer service, which needs to be applauded (so far)