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Optical glass cleaning? |
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3000fps
Optics GrassHopper Joined: October/30/2013 Status: Offline Points: 14 |
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Posted: January/23/2017 at 21:53 |
What's the best way to clean the glass on scopes and binoculars? Recently, I sent a 30 year old VX-III back to the factory to have it evaluated before I put it on a .375 H&H and what impressed me was how clean they got the glass. I've tried several of the pen systems with the brush on one end and the cleaning pad with fluid on the other. It did OK by nothing like what Leupold did. Does anybody know how they do it? Thanks
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Alan Robertson
Optics Master Joined: October/31/2009 Location: Oklahoma Status: Offline Points: 1763 |
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I don't know.
Having said that, the more one cleans lenses, the more micro- fine scratches are produced and efficiency of the lenses reduced. Period. I've ruined some very expensive Zeiss eyeglass lenses, by cleaning them. Couldn't be helped. Eyeglasses get cleaned more often than scope lenses, but the same applies. Eventually, the coatings are worn away and the glass itself is abraded. Prolong the inevitable, keep lenses covered as much as possible. Clean lenses as infrequently as possible. Be exceedingly mindful about what you're doing, when cleaning lenses. Take a good look at the tools that photographers use, such as one of those air puffers with very fine brush attached, to blow dust off the lens. Don't even think of rubbing a lens with anything made of paper, even if it's "designed" for lens cleaning. Even if it's a product from some big name company that should know better. |
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"Garg'n uair dhuisgear"
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oldfortyfive
Optics Apprentice Joined: June/16/2015 Status: Offline Points: 76 |
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For eye glasses it's hard to beat a hot water rinse, spray some dish soap on them and the rinse again with hot water, then blow dry with compressed air. Don't let anything touch them but water and air.
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supertool73
Optics God Superstool Joined: January/03/2008 Status: Offline Points: 11814 |
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There used to be a video made by a US optics employee. I cannot find it. But he would blow them off with canned air very good. Then he would use qtips with acetone on them and very lightly wipe them in a circle. Very lightly. He would do this several times till he got spots off the glass. Then he would again very lightly dry them with a dry q tip.
I have read that acetone can be hard on plastic surfaces. So if your scope has plastic knuts that lock down the lenses I would be careful that way. The Zeiss cleaning spay is made out of Isopropyl Alcohol and water. I have used that for years. I clean with canned air and then with a use a clean lens pen brush for stubborn dirt. Then I use Zeiss spray with q tips as posted above. My Meopta binos glass still looks new and I have been cleaning them that way for over 10 years. |
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Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.
"A Liberal is a person who will give away everything they don't own." |
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magshooter1
Optics Professional Joined: August/27/2008 Location: El Dorado, AR Status: Offline Points: 827 |
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Years ago I had a Burris tech tell me about using acetone and Q-Tips. He said that's how they do every lens before optics leave their factory. That was back when Burris optics were made in USA.
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Some people are educated BEYOND their intelligence.
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jonoMT
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: November/13/2008 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 4853 |
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All good advice. I use compressed air (holding the scope or bins with the lens being sprayed upside down). Then spray on a light amount of Zeiss cleaning spray. I use a bundle of 5-6 Q-tips and GENTLY wipe outwards in a spiraling motion. You should barely be touching the glass.
Clean only when you really need to.
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Reaction time is a factor...
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Wolf2
Optics GrassHopper Joined: July/12/2013 Status: Offline Points: 18 |
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Soap and water then dry with micro fiber or air. Works well with my glasses.
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When in doubt, C4
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robbie
Optics Apprentice Joined: November/13/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 141 |
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I once called Costa Del Mar about cleaning my glass lens glasses.
They said mild detergent, warm water, and microfiber cloth. Nothing else. |
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jonoMT
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: November/13/2008 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 4853 |
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I do exactly that with sunglasses, ski goggles and safety glasses.
The problem with scopes is that lenses are often recessed, particularly on the objective end. Add to that being mounted on a firearm and it gets to be a problem working with detergent and water. That's why compressed air, followed by a cleaner like Zeiss and gentle drying/removal with q-tips is a good way to go. |
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Reaction time is a factor...
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Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
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1. Use a rocket blower for the big stuff.
2. Rinse with water (the sink sprayer works great). 3. Let dry 4. Use a clean, new cotton swab soaked with isopropyl alcohol, and spiral out from the middle of the lens with the swab. Voila, like new lenses. |
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-Matt
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MikieG
Optics Apprentice Joined: December/10/2014 Location: Oklahoma Status: Offline Points: 187 |
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My wife works as an optician. They have bottles of actual lense cleaning spray and microfiber rags. They also use acetone for camera lenses. Agreed that least rubbing etc is best.
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13182 |
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Be careful with acetone. It can have a detrimental effect on seals in the scope.
ILya |
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Uncle Lawrence
Optics GrassHopper Joined: March/29/2014 Location: B'ham, AL Status: Offline Points: 29 |
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I hate putting any cloth on a rifle lens because everytime you do, you are scratching it. I currently use a little dust blower and keep the caps on. I haven't wipe none of my glass and the oldest scope I own is 7yrs old. I do not have expensive scopes compared to the US Optics and the such. I hate to see people ragging those optics, I swear I can feel heat building up from my neck slowly to the top of my head
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Uncle Lawrence
Optics GrassHopper Joined: March/29/2014 Location: B'ham, AL Status: Offline Points: 29 |
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I am getting so ideas for you guys but not going to use isopropyl alcohol. I will only use filtered or distilled water.
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Uncle Lawrence
Optics GrassHopper Joined: March/29/2014 Location: B'ham, AL Status: Offline Points: 29 |
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"some" "from"
sorry but I cannot edit my posts
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Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
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Sounds reasonable. I am curious about refraining from using isopropyl though. What is the reason? From what I have seen, isopropyl alcohol is the main ingredient in most commercially available lens cleaning solutions. I use it in very small amounts to get rid of the residual water marks after gentle cleaning with air and water.
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-Matt
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