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How do you clean your optics? |
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bookworm
Optics GrassHopper Joined: December/31/2008 Location: Idaho Status: Offline Points: 32 |
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Posted: August/27/2011 at 18:19 |
What is the right way (and maybe just as important - the wrong way) to clean your optics?
I'm curious what the experts are doing both at home and in the field. I want to be sure I'm using effective methods/products that won't damage anything.
If this is already covered in detail I'd appreciate a pointer.
Thanks!
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bugsNbows
Optics God bowsNbugs Joined: March/10/2008 Location: North Georgia Status: Offline Points: 11201 |
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First, I use a lens bush to lightly "wisk" the lens. Then, I clean with the Zeiss lens cleaning wipe pads.
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If we're not suppose to eat animals...how come they're made of meat?
Anomymous |
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jjrgr21
Optics Journeyman Joined: January/10/2011 Status: Offline Points: 368 |
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lens pen works great
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tahqua
MODERATOR Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Joined: March/27/2006 Location: Michigan, USA Status: Offline Points: 9042 |
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The lens pen works great and I always have one. I sometimes use a pre-moistened lens wipe if there are smudges on the lenses.
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Doug
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jonoMT
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: November/13/2008 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 4853 |
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Check out http://www.opticstalk.com/cleaning-scope-lenses_topic25504_post357771.html
Edited by jonoMT - August/28/2011 at 11:04 |
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Reaction time is a factor...
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tahqua
MODERATOR Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Joined: March/27/2006 Location: Michigan, USA Status: Offline Points: 9042 |
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The compressed air that Jon mentions can come from something as simple as a bulb syringe.
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Doug
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Rancid Coolaid
MODERATOR Joined: January/19/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9318 |
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300-grit sand paper, then wet-sand to a smooth shine.
WRONG WAY! Air to remove loose particulates, then lens paper with an purpose-made optics cleaning solution, always in circular motion, never with force. And in the field: bulb brush to remove debris, then Zeiss pre-moistened lens paper. The trick is not to get too aggressive. Many people try to get that chemically sheen off the lens, only to find that they just stripped off the lens coatings. In truth, the bulb brush does the overwhelming majority of the work, unless you are hunting in rain, then the lens paper plays more a part. If you have a muzzle brake with holes on top, plan on removing lots of particulates from the objective.
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Freedom is something you take.
Respect is something you earn. Equality is something you whine about not being given. |
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dsr
Optics Apprentice Joined: May/31/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 244 |
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Wrong way – spit and wipe with shirt tail; I have seen it
done. The biggest mistake that I see is the scope (usually
attached to the rifle and stored without lens covers so it accumulates an
ungodly amount of dust. Then cleaned by
the above method. Edited by dsr - August/28/2011 at 12:29 |
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dsr
Optics Apprentice Joined: May/31/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 244 |
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Use camera lens filters (UV haze filter) to protect the
objective lens from blow back from a muzzle break. It is cheaper to replace a lens filter than
an objective (or whole scope) and it is also easier to clean. |
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anomad
Optics Apprentice Joined: May/23/2011 Location: Salt Lake City Status: Offline Points: 148 |
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I asked the same thing a while back. After reading the links the folks here and watching a couple videos on you tube. I use common sense... Air. Water. Zeiss cleaning solution and a lint free wipe. (I have a lot of extra kim-wipes at work) On my elcheapo scopes I will flush with water, touch up spots with a qtip and call it good. Just don't want to touch the lens with any particles of whatever on it. Or use chemicals that would screw with the coating. |
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jjrgr21
Optics Journeyman Joined: January/10/2011 Status: Offline Points: 368 |
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spit+t-shirt on our acogs and comp M's
always worked but it was on the taxpayers dime |
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Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
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?????????
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Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
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338LAPUASLAP
Optics Master Scope Swapper Joined: October/17/2009 Status: Offline Points: 2596 |
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Here we go-
- "my wife bought me a Hensoldt Zeiss and I know exactly what you mean when you say lens bush"... KB probably thought he was the only one with a lens bush... j/k remove if necessary I am in a mood today. Just joking Mr. D |
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No one
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billyburl2
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: January/08/2009 Location: Cottonwood, AZ Status: Offline Points: 4015 |
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If it is tourist season, why can't we shoot them?
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Rancid Coolaid
MODERATOR Joined: January/19/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9318 |
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Very true, but you cared little for keeping expensive coatings intact. In a pinch, shirt+spit: absolutely.
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Freedom is something you take.
Respect is something you earn. Equality is something you whine about not being given. |
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jjrgr21
Optics Journeyman Joined: January/10/2011 Status: Offline Points: 368 |
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yeah, if it was mine. it'd make my skin crawl
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Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
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She also approved a Winchester 1885 in .300 H&H Magnum yesterday... I was going to pass and she said "you don't have one of those, do you?" I said, "no". She said... "then you probably need one"... So, I ordered it...
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Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
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bookworm
Optics GrassHopper Joined: December/31/2008 Location: Idaho Status: Offline Points: 32 |
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Thanks for the inputs. I have a couple follow up questions...
Lens pens - everyone agree they are ok to use? I'm always a little hesitant to rub that chamois on the lens for fear of a particle getting in between and scratching...but it does seem like a good quick tool for the field.
Scope Dope - anyone ever use this stuff for cleaning and anti-fog treatment? I'm looking for anything that might help reduce the chance of fogging.
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WYcoyote
Optics Apprentice Joined: April/06/2010 Location: Kane,WY Status: Offline Points: 154 |
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I try to avoid cleaning as best I can. Use covers as much as possible.
Resist the temptation to mess with them. If you must clean , blow, brush, then use a dedicated moistened lens pad from Zeiss or B&L as stated previously. I have used a lens pen in the field but the lens pads are easily packable too. Use the brush on the pen, then the pad. I am somewhat afraid to use anti-fog juices on high quality coated lenses. Maybe someone has had good luck, I'm scared to do it without a good recommendation.
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Stud Duck
Optics Journeyman Joined: May/20/2005 Location: WV Status: Offline Points: 508 |
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http://www.opticstalk.com/topic3291.html
I felt I outlined the proceedure well in this thread from way back in '06.
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