care & maintenance

Most of the inquiries we get about maintenance are about how to clean the fuzzy salt build-up on parts such as clamps. To start, if possible, take as much of the part apart that you can by removing all-stainless-steel nuts, bolts, and screws. Once apart, soak everything in a 50/50 water and vinegar solution for about 15-20 minutes. Use a soft bristle brush like a toothbrush to clean the parts with. Don’t forget to clean the inside of the T-knobs on the clamps. Sometimes it is necessary to repeat the process till everything is cleaned. When done, dry and put back together. For the clamps add a small dab of silicone grease to the threads at the end of the bolt where the T-knob will be screwed on. Once finished they will be ready for your next trip.

Watch our clamp maintenance video to see how to take care of your clamps.

Whenever you have two dissimilar metals in contact with each other, you will have electrolysis. This is what happens in the case of aluminum and stainless steel. The aluminum becomes oxidized and the nuts and bolts tend to freeze, making it difficult or impossible to remove them. Sometimes wrapping the threads of screws and bolts with Teflon plumber’s tape (found at your local hardware store), reduces electrolysis and removal of the screws, nuts, and bolts is much easier. If you are looking at the thread end, make a couple of turns with the Teflon tape in a clockwise direction while stretching it slightly.

Watch our video on O-Ring removal and maintenance.

The O-rings in the balls of the adapters will last one to two years if not left out in the hot sun all the time. They will crack, but this will not affect the clamping ability of the clamp. They should be changed when they are cracked, hardened or the arms do not seem to be holding as well as when new. It is easy to forget about the O-rings and recommend replacing them every 2 years.
They can be difficult to remove and best if sharp objects are not involved in their removal. The best way is to squeeze with thumb and forefinger, pushing together while at the same time trying to move it to the side. This should give you a small amount of the O-ring to then roll over the ball. To install the O-ring, stretch it over the ball and into the groove.

You can purchase new O-rings from Ultralight or maybe from your local hardware store. The ball O-rings are Buna, Size 2-209N70 and the O-rings for the base adapters are Buna, size 2-113N50.

The only thing you need to do for Pivot maintenance is to keep it clean and occasionally lubricate it. To do this, remove the two Phillips screws that hold the camera base to the back, remove the white nylon washer, clean out the inside and lubricate with silicone grease. Wire brush the threads on the screws, grease the nylon washer, and screw the base back on.