[Mnbird] Question on binoculars

[Al Batt]

Sticky binoculars 

   I have a binoculars farm. Some of the stock is an aging MOU mentor kit, but the majority of the binoculars were obtained before and after getting that kit. I use the binoculars to do bird walks and loan or give them to kids. Because humans are involved, the binoculars do suffer casualties. I have two currently on the DL--a Bushnell and a Jason. I don’t know if they had a close encounter with bug spray or not, but the armor on the two bodies has become sticky. It’s cotton candy sticky. The two binocs are still working well and aren’t quite ancient, so I’m not going to give up on them. I still believe in them. I tried the normal things--soap and water, Murphy Oil Soap and Turtle Wax. My hands blackened as if I were dealing with a bad ink cartridge. The binoculars have stuck to their stickiness. I have hesitated to use isopropyl alcohol and Armor All because that little voice in my head tells me not to. Anybody have anything that works on sticky optics? I appreciate the help.

Al Batt