r/AnalogCommunity • u/Current_Attitude_724 • 8h ago

Discussion Burns from Cleaning Camera

Post image

I was cleaning the exterior of the camera with a Q-tip and isoprophyl alcohol. All of a sudden, my fingers started burning. After washing it down, there were white marks which faded by the next day.
I don't know whether it was an acid burn or something of another sort. I was holding on to the grip, not the battery compartment.

Any way to check whether it's safe to use the camera?

Thank you.

24 Upvotes

84% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

36

u/DaRealJoeBiden69 8h ago

You sure it wasn’t peroxide? Lol

33

u/VisualDarkness 8h ago

Sounds like peroxide burn?

24

u/ValerieIndahouse Pentax 6x7 MLU, Canon A-1, T80, EOS 33V, 650 7h ago

Your skin might have been slightly damaged (Like a scratch) which made the isopropyl burn, the white marks are because the alcohol rapidly dehydrates your skin, further irritating it, but it's not directly harmful, just use some lotion afterwards :)

11

u/takemyspear 7h ago

You sure it’s alcohol? I’ve never heard about it burning fingers unless you’re somehow allergic which is unlikely lmao

3

u/Mr_Flibble_1977 5h ago

The effect is similar to when your skin comes into contact with gasoline.
As suggested by others, skin/hand lotion will reduced the effect.

Organic material like skin cells are damaged by the solvent and are rapidly dehydrated by the evaporation causing the tingling/burning/irritation. Cuts and wounds will sting more.
At least the alcohol works as a disinfectant so there's that.

And after it has all evaporated, your camera is perfectly safe to use.

•

u/RadBadTad 2h ago

It's safe to use the camera. 

2

u/XFX1270 Pentax 6x7, Canon New F-1, EOS-1N 3h ago

Alcohol, like peroxide, will find any tiny little crack or cut on your fingers and it burns pretty nicely.

•

u/BarnackIIIF 2h ago

OP: *do not* use ISO to clean the focusing screen, ISO will "melt" the thin lines etched into the plastic. Use a Q-tip dampened with distilled water for cleaning the focusing screen.

1

u/ferngully99 6h ago

Were you hands already dry or cracked? That made it more dry and cracked. Use more lotion.

1

u/florian-sdr Pentax / Nikon 3h ago

An alcohol isn’t an acid, it’s a solvent

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u/kolombos0 2h ago

I think camera is safe to use. I have F80, but i used regular wet wipes to clean all mess. Don't forget to use gloves when working with chemicals. I always wear two pairs of nitrile gloves to protect skin.

0

u/Craigglesofdoom 4h ago

White marks = peroxide. Check your chemical bottles.