This may seem pretty basic if you know the little secrets already, but if you do not, it will help you get your lenses looking like new in no time. If you shoot a lot, this should be part of your regular maintenance. On Monday’s fishing trip, we were occasionally sprayed with sea water, which is really not good for metal, and when it dries, it leaves an unpleasant looking white residue on your rubber focus rings. This can also happen from regular wear and tear, sweat and general use. It makes the lens rings look all grimy. 
Most people are tempted to use some type of cleaning alcohol, but I prefer to use:
1. Armor All, because it helps treat the rubber and gives it more of a shiny look, instead of drying up and leaving a faded look.
2. You will be tempted to spray it right on the rubber. Do not do this, you do not want it penetrating the seams and getting inside the lens.
3. You will also be tempted to spray it on a rag or cleaning cloth. This is fine for the body of the lens, but it will not help clean the grooves of the rubber lens rings.
4. Use Q-Tips, dip them in a cap full of Armor All and gently clean parallel to the rubber grooves. Go all around the lens in each and every groove.
5. Do not redip the Qtip, throw it away when it gets dirty and use a new clean one. Never dip a dirty Qtip back into the Armor All.
6. If you have “L” lenses, look for the rubber seal at the base of the lens. You should consider cleaning this off as well. It is the weather seal and helps prevent dirt and grime from getting inside. 
If you do it right, your lens will look as good as new!
superb tip… thnx a lot! 🙂
Great tip Michael!! I was one of those using alcohol – this is such a better idea. Thanks!
Thank you! I am going to get Armor All and give my lens a good cleaning. Is it possible that the seal at the could need replaced? It looks worn.
Sorry, I was trying to ask if the seal at the base of the lens could need replaced. It looks dry and worn. I will see if the Armor All helps.
Fabulous tips Michael, thank you. As far as the rubber seal in the bottom of the lens, clean it with Armor All as well? Thanks again…!
Good stuff, I am going to go home and clean my lens!
This is why I love this site. I pick up great little tips that help so much!
Thank you for sharing!
Yes, Armor All on the seal as well!
On my way to the garage to get that Armor All. Thanks for the tip.
I continue to learn from you, thank you!
Hey! I don’t think I can get Armor All in Romania, Europe. I see on their site they have a lot o products. Which one did you use? Maybe knowing that, I could find something similar on the local market. Thanks!
Thank you for this tip, it’s a great reminder to clean slowly and carefully and use the right cleaner. I was introduced by an Alaskan photographer to a great cleaner called Blu Goo that he swore by for use in salt water environments. I had a salt buildup on my old 17-35mm lens from my hands and from using the lens on the water. Q-tips and Blugoo did the trick in refreshing the rubber grippers – http://blugoo.com.
Thanks for a great post!
Very good tip, thank you.
However, I would suggest finding an alternative to Armor-All. As many automotive detailing buffs (pun intended) will tell you, Armor-All is a consumer grade dress-up product which is known to dry out rubber and vinyl over time, causing it to crack and crumble. I don’t use Armor-All myself, so take this with however many grains of salt you wish, but the car-care guys have experience spanning decades, so I tend to trust their observations.
There are similar products which will not cause rubber decomposition: Meguiar’s #39 and #40 are good (#39 is a cleaner only, #40 is the same but also contains a protectant). 303 Products "Aerospace Protectant" is another I see frequently recommended.
For a lens, my choice would be Meguiar’s #40. Let it penetrate, then wipe away excess with a clean cloth. This gives a fairly natural matte lustre, without a greasy residue.
I’m sure your zoom ring is not going to fall apart the next day after putting Armor-All on it, but for long-term care of an expensive investment like a Canon L lens, I would personally avoid repeated use and spend the extra dollar or two on a high-grade cleaner / protectant, if only for the peace of mind.