Rifle Scopes Cleaning high end glass....

Re: Cleaning high end glass....

I have many telescopes so I use the same method:

1. Compressed air to blow the glass -> got to get rid of the sandy particles that may scratch the coatings
2. Lens brush to loosen any remaining particles that may be stuck to glass
3. Compressed air again
4. Use my breath and fog the glass
5. Then use a soft clean microfiber towel to wipe glass clean

I only used chemicals when there are some oily film that the breath fogging and microfiber can't take off.

The above seems to work on all my glass, from telescopes, to binoculars, to microscopes, to riflescopes and spotting scopes (I have them all). The glass I have are immaculate.
 
Re: Cleaning high end glass....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mo_Zam_Beek</div><div class="ubbcode-body">USO has a very good instructional video that you can likely find using the SH + Google Search Function.

Think lots of q-tips and acetone.




Good luck</div></div>

I thought the acetone/alcohol route might eat at the coatings?
 
Re: Cleaning high end glass....

A benefit of working around lasers is there are specific packs of lens cleaning tissues lying around at work. And spray bottles of cleaning solution too. I know that doesn't help you much, but it sure does make my life easier, heh heh.....
 
Re: Cleaning high end glass....

USO reccomends this for their optics only. I have owned several over the years and still do. I have followed their cleaning instructions. I have never had a problem and the lenses turn out great. I don't use acetone everytime. Only when the lenses really need it. Sometimes all it takes is compressed air.
 
Re: Cleaning high end glass....

If it's waterproof, honestly, why not a water hose?

Dry off then use proper chemical to glass clean without worrying about scratching it because you didn't clean off the sand with water to begin with?
 
Re: Cleaning high end glass....

Okay hold on- I see a few guys said compressed air...

That's a big no-no. Think about what that's doing for a minute. Sure it's going to blow the sand and grit away... but as it is doing that, when the debris comes in contact with the lens, it is acting like a light sand blasting. Never use compressed air. If you have dirt, use an optics brush to gently brush it away. There is a reason compressed air isn't mentioned as a method of cleaning by most high end optics makers.
 
Re: Cleaning high end glass....

What BaraBoy and DP425 said.

Go to a camera shop and ask for a len cleaning kit.
Brush, lens tissue, Q-Tip and solution should be in the package. I use this on my S&B and NF scopes.

My method for cleaning? If it's got sand or grit, I use the brush very lightly on the lenses. Then I wet a lens cleaning tissue and gently go around the lens picking up any remainder of dirt. The wet tissue should pick this up. Then dry off with a dry lens tissue. Using this method works for me, and I havn't scratched any lenses.

Don't hose down your scope, if you don't dry the lenses properly you will get water marks on the lens.

Hope this helps.
 
Re: Cleaning high end glass....

Water can damage some coatings, too. I have a USO and follow their directions. I use dust off to get the initial dust and debris off, usually a half used can so I don't spray liquid by accident. I also hold it a ways back so it's not so strong. Then acetone and it's done.
 
Re: Cleaning high end glass....

How do i clean? Exactly the same way as I clean my high-end camera optics.

1. Giottos rocket blower to lightly blow off grit (don't let folks tell you this turns things into a sandblaster. simply not true.)
2. Lenspen brush to dislodge remaining grit and loosen it for step 3.
3. Giottos blower again (normally stop here as nothing else is needed. If I have water spots or oil, move to step 4)
4. Eclipse professional optic cleaning solution with Pec-pads, wipe in a circular motion using only a new surface with each wipe.

One exception to the above. If after step 3, there are only a few very minor specs of an oily substance, I then use the lenspen carbon cleaning tip to lightly dab the spots and then wipe free with the Pec-pad. The dry carbon material on the lens pen is pretty amazing stuff and will absorb the oil to then easily wipe it away. No need to wipe solution across your lens if it is not necessary (that is where you scratch things).

The above process is what I would trust with my $3K camera lenses and has been a well known and trusted sequence for many pro photographers with higher end glass than I.
 
Re: Cleaning high end glass....

I have a can of compressed air and use that to get the loose dust off and use a lens brush before using a Zeiss pre-packaged lens cloth if needed.

Just make sure you keep the can upright so the propellant doesn't spray out. Agreed on something from a compressor, unless you have a good stand off and have filters in the line. Watch water because the minerals in it can etch your glass.

And only clean to the level needed if at all.
 
Re: Cleaning high end glass....

On initial review, I'm going to have to retract my previous statement against canned air. I've done some research and sent out some emails- I will update this post as I get more replies.

So far, below is what I've found out about different manufactures opinions of using canned air products:
USO- Yes (Video on website)
S&B- Yes (email response)
Vortex- Yes (email response)
Premier- Yes (email response) *canned air prefered
Bushnell- Yes (email response)
Weaver-No (email response)
Steiner-
Ziess- Yes (email response)
Swarovski- Yes (email response)
 
Re: Cleaning high end glass....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: VJJPunisher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">what about canned cheese whiz? </div></div>

This is the prescribed cleaning method for Counter Snipers due to the unicorn blood coating on the lenses.
 
Re: Cleaning high end glass....

Ok so let me get this straight. From the info I have collected out of these comments I am suppose to fill the scope with dirt and blow out with compressed air for a light sand blasting to get off the dust. Then followed buy a coating of cheese whiz to protect the unicorn blood?
 
Re: Cleaning high end glass....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: VJJPunisher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">what about canned cheese whiz? </div></div>

Actually just heard back from steiner- the cheese whiz is their preferred cleaning media. Apply liberally, then remove with tongue. Wash off excess with a heavy wheat beer, catching it in a cup, then so as to not be wasteful and pollute our environment, drink said beer.
 
Re: Cleaning high end glass....

i use the zeiss optics cleaning kit. lense brush, wipe with q-tip that has been moistened with the cleaning solution they supply, then wipe off the cleaning solution with a clean q-tip. My glass is so far flawless, and all my scopes are used very ungently for hunting
 
Re: Cleaning high end glass....

Well took your advise and I'm a little pissed off because I fucked up a perfectly good tasco so to all that gave me advise just wanna say thanks for screwing up my glass.....
smile.gif
 
Re: Cleaning high end glass....

Hi Guys,
Just a warning on canned air- DO NOT shake or let the can go to any position except upright- if you do there is a chance that the propellant will come out instead of air and it is very cold and if your scope is very hot you stand a chance of cracking a lens, also the propellant may stain the lens coating and you need a special substance to get off the stain.
I start spraying while the can nozzle is aimed away from the scope then come across and only release the buton when I am past the scope. About 6 inches away will be enough.
For what it's worth we have used acetone and iso hexane to clean and degrease glass lenses for many years and on many scope brands. Just buy the highest grade available and one swipe, one Q-tip.
Thanks,
Paul

Edit to say: The best way I have found is to use medical grade nitrogen, through a cooler and set the regulator at 15 to 20 PSI. This is what we do at the factory. But not everybody has a nitrogen generator laying around. LOL
 
Re: Cleaning high end glass....

Many years ago I was a welding development tech on nuclear fuel components and set up some very sophisticated laser systems. The ONLY thing we used for cleaning lenses was 200 proof pharmaceutical grain alcohol. Leaves no residue and hey, mixed well with Coke!
 
Re: Cleaning high end glass....

I cleaned the lens on a set of Pentax binoculars with acetone and it dissolved some of the rubberlike substance surrounding the ocular lens. It happened before I realized what was going on and I had a goooey mess. This concoction was nasty and very hard to get off. I bought the acetone at Wal-Mart, at least that was the label on the can. After that experience I have been afraid to use it on my scopes. I used a Q tip to apply the acetone but it was saturated and ran to the edges of the lens where it done the deed.
 
Re: Cleaning high end glass....

It must be time to get flamed again???

My tried and true method.

Take gun to sink. Turn upside down. Turn water on using warm water with enough oomph to dislodge debris. Grab spray nozzle and rinse lenses. Apply one drop of dishwashing liquid to a wetted cotton swab and work in. Clean lenses. Rinse again with spray nozzle. I wipe with a Shamwow the wife bought years ago which is used only for this purpose.

It's been said that hard water can scratch lenses. I have never noticed any scratches in mine. I think the reason why I haven't is the dishwashing liquid acts as a lube??? In any case if you are concerned about scratched lenses you can substitute with distilled water in a spray bottle before any cleaning or wiping.

I'm no lens coating expert but I am a painting contractor who has to get paint off where it isn't supposed to be sometimes. Guess what I use... Acetone.
 
Re: Cleaning high end glass....

I always clean from the inside to the outside in a circular motion. That way I don't drag grease or other junk from the lock ring onto the lense.

I use very little acteone or cleaner to avoid it wicking around the lense and fittings.

As mentioned before, I too have heard that water damages some coatings. Why the hell would a scope manufacturer use such a coating on a scope they claim is water proof or water resistant?!
 
Re: Cleaning high end glass....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KNIGHT11B4</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: VJJPunisher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">what about canned cheese whiz? </div></div>

This is the prescribed cleaning method for Counter Snipers due to the unicorn blood coating on the lenses. </div></div>

Priceless!
 
Re: Cleaning high end glass....

i was part of the team that assembled the hubble telescope. I was charged with cleaning the lenses before installation and Nasa uses a mixture (cannot say dilution breakdown due to top secret info and such) that is made up of Dillo dust, distilled water, pulverized knights armament parts, Atlas Bipod sweat, cocoa butter, and tears.
 
Re: Cleaning high end glass....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tomf</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Many years ago I was a welding development tech on nuclear fuel components and set up some very sophisticated laser systems. The ONLY thing we used for cleaning lenses was 200 proof pharmaceutical grain alcohol. Leaves no residue and hey, mixed well with Coke! </div></div>I drank a couple of big shots of that stuff once. Tasteless - until it got about halfway down my esophagus, at which point it tasted like an arc welder drawing a bead all the way to my small intestine.

Then it hit my brain. Think four shots of Goldschlager all at once. Yeehaw!
 
Re: Cleaning high end glass....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: outsy'sGutGut</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i was part of the team that assembled the hubble telescope. I was charged with cleaning the lenses before installation and Nasa uses a mixture (cannot say dilution breakdown due to top secret info and such) that is made up of Dillo dust, distilled water, pulverized knights armament parts, Atlas Bipod sweat, cocoa butter, and tears. </div></div>

I'm calling bullshit on this. There's no way anybody could ever pulverize knight's armament parts!
Besides, I worked for the NOAA and we always just used bull-milk to clean our lenses.
 
Re: Cleaning high end glass....

Just send it to Countersniper headquarters and get the bertrilium zanthaminium coating = never have to clean and makes your optics invisible to the nekkid starfish. Which, as an added bonus makes surprise cornhole stashing of said optics much easier.

I think one of VJJ's pictures sums it up nicely

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: VJJPunisher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
nf552256nxs-1-1.jpg
</div></div>

It'll never see it coming, then it's just too late. It also acts as a lube for quick follow ups and repeated high speed stashings. Much faster than being a gentleman and easing it in inch by inch.
 
Re: Cleaning high end glass....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: VJJPunisher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i was part of the team that assembled the hubble telescope. I was charged with cleaning the lenses before installation and Nasa uses a mixture (cannot say dilution breakdown due to top secret info and such) that is made up of Dillo dust, distilled water, pulverized knights armament parts, Atlas Bipod sweat, cocoa butter, and tears. </div></div>

This quote very well could have just saved my optic! I was about to use Harris bipod sweat! That would have been bad, thanks a ton
 
Re: Cleaning high end glass....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cds7221</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What kind of tears? Also, in a pinch will shea butter work? </div></div>
Depends if you value quantity over quality. I try to get the most mileage out of them I can so "crocodile tears" work for me.
 
Re: Cleaning high end glass....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rowdyryno</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Fellas what's the best method for cleaning glass</div></div>Carefully.

Cleaning it of what: Dirt, or oil, or...?