Hey everyone,

If you’re already shooting with a Salted Line underwater camera housing, you know one important thing: the O-rings are the most important part that protects your camera from water. One grain of sand, dried grease, or a twisted seal (which happens when the O-ring is stretched) and you risk flooding the entire housing.

Below we show in detail how to properly service the main (backplate) O-ring and the body (secondary) O-ring. Both are equally important for reliable watertightness of your Salted Line waterproof camera housing.

In this post we have put together all the information so your gear stays protected from dive to dive.

The following instructions apply to our entire range of Salted Line waterproof camera housings, except for the A6xxx .

What you’ll need

• Sea Frogs / Salted Line Silicone grease (the same one that comes with every housing, or you can purchase it separately on our website)
• Regular paper tissue
• Your fingers (they really are the best for applying the grease evenly)
• The O-ring removal tool that came with your housing (better not to pry the O-ring out with your hands)

Step-by-step maintenance

1. O-ring on the backplate (main)

This is the ring you work with most often. Remove the backplate, carefully take out the O-ring with the tool (Photo 1). Take a dry paper tissue and wipe the groove where the O-ring was sitting to remove any salt, sand or old grease (Photo 2). Then gently wipe the O-ring itself thoroughly - but avoid stretching it. (Photo 3)

Apply a very thin and even layer of original silicone grease - just enough so your finger glides easily over the ring. No clumps and no excess. Just to make O-ring shine. (Photo 4)
Put the O-ring back into the groove and make sure it sits flat and is not twisted. (Photo 5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. O-ring on the housing body (secondary)

Only remove this O-ring if necessary! Usually it stays in place and you don’t remove it every time. Simply wipe it with a clean paper tissue to remove salt, sand and old grease. (Photo 6)  Then apply a thin layer of original silicone grease directly on the ring while it is still in the groove. (Photo 7)
If you decide to remove the O-ring completely (for example, if it is heavily contaminated or the housing hasn’t been serviced in more than a year) (Photo 8), first thoroughly wipe the groove where the O-ring was sitting with a dry paper tissue. (Photo 9) Then gently wipe the O-ring itself - avoid stretching it. (Photo 10) Place the O-ring back into the groove, making sure it sits flat and is not twisted. (Photo 11) After that, apply a thin layer of silicone grease. (Photo 12)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Important rules that will save your gear

• After every dive always rinse the entire housing in fresh water.
• Avoid stretching an O-ring - it instantly ruins the shape.
• Use only original Sea Frogs / Salted Line Silicone grease. Other lubricants can damage the rubber.
• Before every dive (if the housing has been opened), always perform a bucket test or vacuum test.
• If the housing has been sitting unused for a long time, take five minutes to clean and grease both O-rings before the next use.
• If the housing won’t be used for a long time, remove the O-rings and store them separately. To ensure a tight and waterproof seal, replace the O-rings at least once a year.

When to replace the O-rings

With proper care both O-rings last a long time. Replace them immediately if you see cracks, cuts, loss of elasticity or if the grease no longer spreads evenly. Spare O-rings and grease kits are always in stock.

Final thoughts

Taking care of the O-rings is not boring maintenance - it is the cheapest and most effective insurance for your underwater system. Spend five minutes after every shooting day and your Salted Line underwater camera housing will stay watertight for years.

 

 

You can watch the full video “How to Maintain BackPlate and Housing Body O-Rings on SeaFrogs Salted Line Water Housings” on our YouTube channel.

Have questions about maintaining the O-rings on your Salted Line waterproof camera housing or need spare O-rings and silicone grease? Feel free to email us at support@saltedline.com or message us on social media. We’re always happy to help.

Stay safe, stay dry, and happy shooting!

- The Salted Line Team

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