Maintenance & Care for Your Outex Underwater Housing System

Maintenance & Care for Your Outex Underwater Housing System

Your Outex underwater housing is built to perform in some of the world's toughest environments—from saltwater surf sessions and tropical rainstorms to snow, mud, dust, and river crossings. The products can be used in desert-like heat as well as freezing waters under ice. And caring for it will maximize longevity and use.

Made from premium materials including optical glass, aluminum, stainless steel, nylon, neoprene, and Outex's patented silicone-based cover, the system is designed for years of reliable use when properly maintained. Like any professional camera equipment, regular maintenance helps maximize performance, extend product life, and keep your gear adventure-ready.

Whether you're shooting underwater photography, surfing, kayaking, sailing, wildlife, travel, or outdoor sports, these simple maintenance practices will help protect Outex parts, the gear inside it, and the results.

The Three (3) Essentials: Clean. Dry. Store.

Most maintenance comes down to three simple habits:

1. Clean after use
2. Dry thoroughly
3. Store properly

Follow these steps after every adventure. 

1. Clean After Every Use

Salt, sand, mud, dust, and other debris can accumulate on any outdoor equipment. Regular cleaning helps maintain smooth assembly, protects threaded components, and keeps your housing operating at its best. Think of the Outex system like your hair or skin. They can withstand harsh conditions, but benefit from care to look, feel, and perform at their best. And treat the Outex gear similarly. Use cleaners and other products that would not cause damage to your hair or skin. 

Recommended Cleaning Process

After each use rinse all Outex components with fresh water to remove dirt and debris. Use mild, neutral soap if you'd like, specially after using it in any open water environment - specially ocean water.  Invisible chemicals and residue can often adhere to the cover, and can reduce transparency over time by accumulating against the cover's porous surface. For example, ocean water often contains microscopic organic and inorganic debris, including petrochemicals from boat fuel, refineries, and other discharges that are invisible to the naked eye, but can accumulate onto the cover over time if not properly rinsed after use. More extreme examples are paint runs or other colored materials can be adhere to the cover's surface permanently if not properly rinsed after use.

Remove salt residue, sand, dirt, and debris from ports and threaded areas. Use a soft toothbrush to gently clean threads and hard-to-reach areas. No need to apply much pressure against the threads. Just use an old tooth brush for example to remove small particles that may be lodged within the hardware components of the Outex system. Rinse thoroughly afterwards.

Sand and grit can damage the threads and compromise your waterproof seal over time. Outex is designed to also give you tactile feedback. So if your threads feel stiff or gritty, stop immediately and clean them.  Watch the video below for an illustration.

Outex products come pre-lubricated from the factory, using silicone oil (not grease) that should also last you multiple uses. The lubricant is available in PARTS in the Outex online store. It does not affect the seal. It's simply performing a lubrication role for the threads to slide smoothly over time so you can thread them on/off with ease. Contact our tech support if you have questions or need help.

Avoid: Harsh chemicals, Solvents, Acidic cleaners, and Petroleum-based products. As a simple rule, if you wouldn't touch it with your bare skin, don't use it on your Outex system.

2. Dry Completely Before Storage

Moisture is one of the most common causes of fogging, mildew, and long-term equipment issues. Treat your Outex gear in the same way you treat you imaging (camera and lens) equipment. After cleaning:

• Pat components dry with a soft towel or microfiber cloth.
• Allow all parts to air dry completely before storing them long term.
• Store components only after they are fully dry.
• Avoid trapping moisture inside assembled systems for extended periods.
• Allow the cover to remain relaxed rather than tightly folded.
• Store in dry, cool places when possible

Preventing Condensation and Fogging

Condensation occurs when moisture becomes trapped inside the housing and experiences temperature changes during use.

To help reduce fogging:

• Assemble your system in a dry environment whenever possible.
• Ensure all components are completely dry before sealing.
• Use silica gel packs when shooting in humid conditions.
• Avoid storing the housing wet or assembled for extended periods.

Photographers shooting in tropical climates, cold-water environments, or rapidly changing temperatures often find silica gel packs particularly helpful.

3. Store Like You Store Your Camera Gear

Once clean and dry, store your Outex housing the same way you would store your camera equipment.

Best Storage Practices

Store your system:

• In a cool, dry location
• Away from direct sunlight
• Away from excessive humidity
• Away from sharp objects
• In a protective case whenever possible

Avoid:

• Sealed plastic bags
• Damp storage areas
• Compressing or tightly folding the cover

Allowing the cover to "breathe" helps maintain its shape and appearance over time.

Protecting the Cover During Use

The Outex cover is highly durable, flexible, and engineered to withstand demanding outdoor conditions. Like any protective equipment, however, it should be protected from sharp objects and repeated impact.

Avoid Contact With:

• Sharp metal edges
• Camera hot-shoe corners
• Strap lugs
• Rocks and rough surfaces
• Hard transport equipment

Repeated abrasion or punctures can eventually create damage that may compromise waterproof performance.

When transporting your camera with the housing installed, use a protective case whenever possible to minimize impact and abrasion.

Lubricating Threaded Components

Outex threaded components are lubricated at the factory using high-quality silicone oil. This lubrication improves threading performance and assembly smoothness.

It is important to note that the lubricant is used only for thread operation. It is not part of the waterproof sealing process.

Reapply Lubrication When:

• Threads feel rough or gritty.
• Assembly becomes difficult.
• Components no longer thread smoothly.
• Equipment has experienced heavy exposure to sand, salt, or dirt.

How to Re-Lubricate

1. Apply a few drops of Outex silicone oil to the threads.
2. Distribute evenly with a clean cloth, brush, or cotton swab.
3. Remove any excess lubricant before assembly.

Use only silicone-based lubricant designed for this purpose.

Click here to order from our PARTS online store.

Extending the Life of Your Outex System

Many Outex users get years of continuous use from a single system by following a few simple habits:

• Clean after every use.

• Dry before storage.

• Store in a cool, dry location.

• Use protective cases during transport.

• Protect the cover from punctures and abrasion.

• Lubricate threads when necessary.

• Use silica gel packs in humid environments.

A few minutes of maintenance after each adventure can help ensure reliable performance whether you're shooting in the ocean, a mountain stream, heavy rain, snow, or the desert.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Outex in saltwater?

Yes. Outex is designed for saltwater use. Simply rinse thoroughly with fresh water after each session to remove salt residue.

How do I prevent fogging?

Ensure all components are dry before assembly, avoid trapping humid air inside the housing, and use silica gel packs when needed.

How often should I lubricate the threads?

Only when threading becomes rough, sticky, or difficult. Frequent lubrication is generally unnecessary under normal use.

Can I store the housing assembled?

For long-term storage, it is better to store the system clean, dry, and disassembled to allow airflow and reduce trapped moisture.

Final Reminder

Proper maintenance takes only a few minutes and can significantly extend the life of your Outex underwater housing.

Remember:

Clean. Dry. Store.

Follow these three simple steps after every adventure and your Outex system will be ready for years of underwater photography, surfing, kayaking, sailing, travel, wildlife photography, and outdoor exploration.