Re: [Paddlewise] On waterproofing, and on paddle length extensions

>From: Elaine Harmon <eharmon_at_cs.miami.edu>
> > A silicone based grease (eg. Dow Corning high vacuum grease) is perfect,
>I presume it wouldn't do for sealing binocular joints as the stuff would
>eventually spread over all surfaces in a fine layer, although maybe that 
> >wouldn't matter.

Speaking from experience, it might. If you ever drop even "waterproof" binos 
in the sand, the grease applied at the factory can pick up enough grit to 
rapidly freeze the focusing mechanism. (incidentally, when this happened to 
me, I returned them to the maker, fully expecting to pay for repairs, as it 
was "user malfunction", not a defective product. Instead, they sent me back, 
at no charge, a brand-new cosmetically "second" (some splotched paint on the 
logo) but fully- functional replacement pair. Thanks Bausch & Lomb.)

One could use something that hardens for this
>application, though; ideas, anyone?
>
>e  (who is always looking for ways to do things cheap)

My usual suggestion for sealing almost everything is Aqua Seal as found in 
most dive shops, which hardens about like bathtub silicone bead. However, 
the focusing mechaism is a moving part, so I don't think Aqua Seal would 
work for that.

Philip Torrens
N49°16' W123°06'


***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************