Affordable, high-quality tripods can often be found on Craigslits or other user item platforms for cheap.

The caveat is the same as buying any other piece of used gear. They may not work as well as they once did, and you may not realize it until you get home.

This is what happened when I purchased this high quality Vanguard model 265 CB (Carbon Fiber) tripod. It looks and feels great and sturdy - but the legs were incredibly stubborn to extend and collapse. I searched for guides on how to clean up this specific tripod - but came up empty. 

So here it is for you - a general overview on how to take apart a Vanguard 265 CB Tripod for cleaning and rejuvenating its pieces. Feel free to follow, subscribe, or leave a commend with any questions!

Taking apart each leg section

Salt and Gunk built-up

One thing I quickly noticed was the massive amount of gunk and what looked like calcium-deposit or dehydrated salt. I found that the most effective way of cleaning the innards of the inner joints, was to use a pairing knife to clean up the inner portions.

Picking apart the Vanguard 265 CB one leg at a time

A good approach was to take only a single leg apart each time. This ensures that you have at least 2 other legs that you can go back to, should you forget how to put things back together. 

Once everything is cleaned up and devoid of gunk, the best part of putting it all together.