Hardware Plastics

[MattA777]

I have a pair of zoom binoculars (gift) which are around 6 or 7 years old. Rarely used and kept in their pouch that they came with.
Problem is- parts of the hard casing has become ‘sticky’ to the touch which is also leaving a residue on my hands that has to be washed off!

Can anyone give a reason and remedy?

[dustypuss]

The manufactures don’t expect the product to last a 6/7 year old more than ten minutes so they use cheap plastic. Try putting on talcum powder to dry up the stickiness it doesn’t look nice but it works.

[Hymie]

I have exactly the same problem with a pair of binoculars, they were not cheap costing around £70 (about 10 years ago) having a zoom function. The casing is not plastic but rubberised to the feel, which has become sticky leaving a residue on the hands (as the OP is experiencing), making them unusable.
I suspect the manufacturer was not aware of this shortcoming of the case material used in production.

They are Praktica brand which I believe was sold by Dixons. I’m considering spraying the surface with a lacquer of some type to seal in the stickyness, but I suspect the lacquer will crack/peel away due to not having the flexibility of the rubber.

Not planning to use them in the near future, it is something to think about before my next holiday (whenever that is).

[MattA777]

The pair I have are rubberised- mostly black with light grey contours + a zoom. Sticky only on grey parts.
Too chunky for me to take on holiday!....Probably end up in a charity shop...
Thank you all for your response.

[Tilly2]

My hairdryer is the same. Time for a new one I think.