What is the best way to clean optics when they are muddy/sandy etc. This goes for the external shell aswell as the lens without scratching them and the chemicals used?
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What is the best way to clean optics w/o scratchin
- Thread starter AussieShooter
- Start date
Re: What is the best way to clean optics w/o scratchin
Contact the manufacturer.
USO has a great vid on the use of compressed air, a (camera) lens brush, q-tips and acetone (which they deem safe for their coatings).
Unless they are smudged I tend to let the dust sit.
Good luck
Contact the manufacturer.
USO has a great vid on the use of compressed air, a (camera) lens brush, q-tips and acetone (which they deem safe for their coatings).
Unless they are smudged I tend to let the dust sit.
Good luck
Re: What is the best way to clean optics w/o scratchin
http://www.usoptics.com/index.php?page=instructions
http://www.usoptics.com/video/cln1.wmv
http://www.usoptics.com/index.php?page=instructions
http://www.usoptics.com/video/cln1.wmv
Re: What is the best way to clean optics w/o scratchin
A little very clean low pressure compressed air, Pancro and Kimwipes.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Edited:</span> This applies to lens only.
A little very clean low pressure compressed air, Pancro and Kimwipes.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Edited:</span> This applies to lens only.
Re: What is the best way to clean optics w/o scratchin
Spit and a t-shirt?
Oh, wait.....that's not what the TM says.
Spit and a t-shirt?
Oh, wait.....that's not what the TM says.
Re: What is the best way to clean optics w/o scratchin
Here is what I do... and it is complete overkill, but that describes almost everything I do that is rifle related. I don't know how to do things on the cheap.
I have a Visible Dust Hurricane that I use to blow air on the lens to get off the debris before brushing. Then I use a Visible Dust Arctic Butterfly to brush the lens. The Arctic Butterfly is used to clean sensors on digital cameras. You push a button and the brush twirls around, both discharging the old dust and ionizing the bristles to make the dust adhere to the brush.
http://www.visibledust.com
After the lens is free from debris, I use Eclipse lens cleaning solution from www.photosol.com. I also use some pec pads to wipe the lens down.
I never clean my lens in the field and only clean it when it gets dirty to the point that I notice it. A little dust on the objective is not going to affect performance much. Debris on the ocular, I usually clean pretty quickly because I do tend to notice it.
Here is what I do... and it is complete overkill, but that describes almost everything I do that is rifle related. I don't know how to do things on the cheap.
I have a Visible Dust Hurricane that I use to blow air on the lens to get off the debris before brushing. Then I use a Visible Dust Arctic Butterfly to brush the lens. The Arctic Butterfly is used to clean sensors on digital cameras. You push a button and the brush twirls around, both discharging the old dust and ionizing the bristles to make the dust adhere to the brush.
http://www.visibledust.com
After the lens is free from debris, I use Eclipse lens cleaning solution from www.photosol.com. I also use some pec pads to wipe the lens down.
I never clean my lens in the field and only clean it when it gets dirty to the point that I notice it. A little dust on the objective is not going to affect performance much. Debris on the ocular, I usually clean pretty quickly because I do tend to notice it.
Re: What is the best way to clean optics w/o scratchin
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ronas</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A little very clean low pressure compressed air, Pancro and Kimwipes.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Edited:</span> This applies to lens only. </div></div>
Yikes!! <span style="font-weight: bold">You should not use Kimwipes on optics</span> - they are very coarse and have reinforcement fibers that will scratch coatings. For the same reason, avoid using Kleenex tissues; instead, use soft cotton, such as a Q-Tip or a soft, clean cotton towel.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Use compressed air with great caution</span>, it can force dirt particles against the lens and push them across the surface, scratching the coating. I would wait until the muck has dried and use a soft lens brush to get the large particles off, then use a Q-Tip with distilled water, alcohol or acetone (depends on the coating, use what the manufacturer recommends) to clean the rest.
Whenever possible, <span style="font-weight: bold">use a protective lens filter </span>if you're going to use an optic in the muck, it's what every pro photographer would do.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ronas</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A little very clean low pressure compressed air, Pancro and Kimwipes.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Edited:</span> This applies to lens only. </div></div>
Yikes!! <span style="font-weight: bold">You should not use Kimwipes on optics</span> - they are very coarse and have reinforcement fibers that will scratch coatings. For the same reason, avoid using Kleenex tissues; instead, use soft cotton, such as a Q-Tip or a soft, clean cotton towel.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Use compressed air with great caution</span>, it can force dirt particles against the lens and push them across the surface, scratching the coating. I would wait until the muck has dried and use a soft lens brush to get the large particles off, then use a Q-Tip with distilled water, alcohol or acetone (depends on the coating, use what the manufacturer recommends) to clean the rest.
Whenever possible, <span style="font-weight: bold">use a protective lens filter </span>if you're going to use an optic in the muck, it's what every pro photographer would do.
Re: What is the best way to clean optics w/o scratchin
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yikes!! You should not use Kimwipes on optics - they are very coarse and have reinforcement fibers that will scratch coatings. For the same reason, avoid using Kleenex tissues; instead, use soft cotton, such as a Q-Tip or a soft, clean cotton towel.</div></div>
Yes Kimwipes are very good you just need to buy the right ones. The right ones are "Nonscratching Tissue Paper Also known as Kimwipes, these low-lint wipes are soft, gentle, and absorbent. Ideal for delicate cleaning tasks. Color is white."
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yikes!! You should not use Kimwipes on optics - they are very coarse and have reinforcement fibers that will scratch coatings. For the same reason, avoid using Kleenex tissues; instead, use soft cotton, such as a Q-Tip or a soft, clean cotton towel.</div></div>
Yes Kimwipes are very good you just need to buy the right ones. The right ones are "Nonscratching Tissue Paper Also known as Kimwipes, these low-lint wipes are soft, gentle, and absorbent. Ideal for delicate cleaning tasks. Color is white."
Re: What is the best way to clean optics w/o scratchin
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LoneWolfUSMC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Spit and a t-shirt?
Oh, wait.....that's not what the TM says.
</div></div>
LOL-I've actually done that!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LoneWolfUSMC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Spit and a t-shirt?
Oh, wait.....that's not what the TM says.
LOL-I've actually done that!
Re: What is the best way to clean optics w/o scratchin
Also while you will find 100's of recommendations for exactly how to clean a leans (this is debated constantly in the high end camera lens world). Most people would be AMAZED how much crap you can have on a lens before you can even see the difference. Stick a finger in front of a scope sometime and see how little even that impacts the image. Many people clean their lenses way too often and more times than not damage to lenses is almost always from cleaning.
For me I usually do something similar to:
Blow the lens off (never use chemical dust blowers)
Use a soft lens brush to try and dislodge large particles
Blow off again
Then using lens wipe/cloth/etc. and a good lens cleaner make sure to wipe in a motion that:
A: only uses one swipe per part of the cloth (don't use multiple passes on each part of the cloth if you get particles/dirt in it you are just then grinding that into the lens). I try to resist the habit of getting right to the edge of the lens/housing, this is where most dirt accumulates, and trying to get every dirt/spec/etc. out of this area greatly increases the risk of scratching things and makes little to no difference in the end result.
B: I never "buff" the lens, if it has some cleaner streaking etc. on it from the swipe passes, I leave it alone. You will do WAY more damage trying to "buff" it off than just leaving it there.
Also microfiber cloths are great, but they don't last forever, you can wash them but over time there will be stuff that gets into these that won't get washed out, then you are again grinding it into the lens. If you do use them, wash them very frequently, try to keep them as clean as possible in a pouch etc. and replace them often.
Also while you will find 100's of recommendations for exactly how to clean a leans (this is debated constantly in the high end camera lens world). Most people would be AMAZED how much crap you can have on a lens before you can even see the difference. Stick a finger in front of a scope sometime and see how little even that impacts the image. Many people clean their lenses way too often and more times than not damage to lenses is almost always from cleaning.
For me I usually do something similar to:
Blow the lens off (never use chemical dust blowers)
Use a soft lens brush to try and dislodge large particles
Blow off again
Then using lens wipe/cloth/etc. and a good lens cleaner make sure to wipe in a motion that:
A: only uses one swipe per part of the cloth (don't use multiple passes on each part of the cloth if you get particles/dirt in it you are just then grinding that into the lens). I try to resist the habit of getting right to the edge of the lens/housing, this is where most dirt accumulates, and trying to get every dirt/spec/etc. out of this area greatly increases the risk of scratching things and makes little to no difference in the end result.
B: I never "buff" the lens, if it has some cleaner streaking etc. on it from the swipe passes, I leave it alone. You will do WAY more damage trying to "buff" it off than just leaving it there.
Also microfiber cloths are great, but they don't last forever, you can wash them but over time there will be stuff that gets into these that won't get washed out, then you are again grinding it into the lens. If you do use them, wash them very frequently, try to keep them as clean as possible in a pouch etc. and replace them often.
Re: What is the best way to clean optics w/o scratchin
I would check with the manufacture but I use a lens pen
I would check with the manufacture but I use a lens pen
Re: What is the best way to clean optics w/o scratchin
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ToddM</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Also while you will find 100's of recommendations for exactly how to clean a leans (this is debated constantly in the high end camera lens world). Most people would be AMAZED how much crap you can have on a lens before you can even see the difference. Stick a finger in front of a scope sometime and see how little even that impacts the image. Many people clean their lenses way too often and more times than not damage to lenses is almost always from cleaning.</div></div>
Bingo.
We were shooting in the rain yesterday. I was cringing as I saw the dirty rags being pulled out to wipe the lenses. I just let mine be. If I have huge drops on the glass and some time before the next stage I just blow the majority of it off the lens and then let the fog dissipate. Don't do this when you are on the line ready to fire. It may take some time for the lens to de-fog.
I have used all kinds of bad things to wipe lenses in the past, but that was usually in an operational environment where you do what you have to do. I have also been issued way to many scopes with the coatings buffed off the lenses. I am as nice as I can be to them now.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ToddM</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Also while you will find 100's of recommendations for exactly how to clean a leans (this is debated constantly in the high end camera lens world). Most people would be AMAZED how much crap you can have on a lens before you can even see the difference. Stick a finger in front of a scope sometime and see how little even that impacts the image. Many people clean their lenses way too often and more times than not damage to lenses is almost always from cleaning.</div></div>
Bingo.
We were shooting in the rain yesterday. I was cringing as I saw the dirty rags being pulled out to wipe the lenses. I just let mine be. If I have huge drops on the glass and some time before the next stage I just blow the majority of it off the lens and then let the fog dissipate. Don't do this when you are on the line ready to fire. It may take some time for the lens to de-fog.
I have used all kinds of bad things to wipe lenses in the past, but that was usually in an operational environment where you do what you have to do. I have also been issued way to many scopes with the coatings buffed off the lenses. I am as nice as I can be to them now.
Re: What is the best way to clean optics w/o scratchin
^^^^^
-ditto-
I'd rather rinse my lens with a garden hose and blow it off than wipe it with a dirty rag!
For real cleaning, use what the manufacturer tells you to for cleaning agent-different coatings are partial to different solvents.
^^^^^
-ditto-
I'd rather rinse my lens with a garden hose and blow it off than wipe it with a dirty rag!
For real cleaning, use what the manufacturer tells you to for cleaning agent-different coatings are partial to different solvents.
Re: What is the best way to clean optics w/o scratchin
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Here2Learn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would check with the manufacture but I use a lens pen </div></div>
I also use a Lens Pen...Im not too sure how lens safe it is, its got a concave suede disk on one end and a brush on the other, it does clean very well though! The suede disk get crud off like a champ. Ive used it on my EOTech for about a year or so, works great, but I still use a microfiber cloth and acetone/ alcohol on my Accupoint.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Here2Learn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would check with the manufacture but I use a lens pen </div></div>
I also use a Lens Pen...Im not too sure how lens safe it is, its got a concave suede disk on one end and a brush on the other, it does clean very well though! The suede disk get crud off like a champ. Ive used it on my EOTech for about a year or so, works great, but I still use a microfiber cloth and acetone/ alcohol on my Accupoint.
Re: What is the best way to clean optics w/o scratchin
The Kim Wipes that work for optics are the "delicate task wipes" pictured below. They are lint free. I buy these by the case at work, as we go thru them pretty fast.
I just bought a used Mark 4, and lenses were dirty. Used air to blow off, then LensPen to brush off debris, blew with air again, then used Q-Tips w/Acetone. It did a great job, just like the video on USO shows. No smears or marks anywhere, and it did not hurt the coating. Lenses were spotless!
The Kim Wipes that work for optics are the "delicate task wipes" pictured below. They are lint free. I buy these by the case at work, as we go thru them pretty fast.
I just bought a used Mark 4, and lenses were dirty. Used air to blow off, then LensPen to brush off debris, blew with air again, then used Q-Tips w/Acetone. It did a great job, just like the video on USO shows. No smears or marks anywhere, and it did not hurt the coating. Lenses were spotless!
Re: What is the best way to clean optics w/o scratchin
If the optics are water proof, I gently rinse with water.
Then I wait for them to dry.
Then I clean with alcohol and a Q tip.
I don't seem to scratch the coatings, but I have some used scopes that have sections of coating missing.
I just cleaned the adjustable eye relief mechanisms in my Minox HG 8x33 BR ASPH binoculars today. I had the eye piece under a faucet and just kept rotating the eyepiece in and out until the grit flushed out.
If the optics are water proof, I gently rinse with water.
Then I wait for them to dry.
Then I clean with alcohol and a Q tip.
I don't seem to scratch the coatings, but I have some used scopes that have sections of coating missing.
I just cleaned the adjustable eye relief mechanisms in my Minox HG 8x33 BR ASPH binoculars today. I had the eye piece under a faucet and just kept rotating the eyepiece in and out until the grit flushed out.
Re: What is the best way to clean optics w/o scratchin
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BigBore56</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The Kim Wipes that work for optics are the "delicate task wipes" pictured below. They are lint free. I buy these by the case at work, as we go thru them pretty fast.
I just bought a used Mark 4, and lenses were dirty. Used air to blow off, then LensPen to brush off debris, blew with air again, then used Q-Tips w/Acetone. It did a great job, just like the video on USO shows. No smears or marks anywhere, and it did not hurt the coating. Lenses were spotless!
</div></div>
Kimwipes + acetone = good shit
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BigBore56</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The Kim Wipes that work for optics are the "delicate task wipes" pictured below. They are lint free. I buy these by the case at work, as we go thru them pretty fast.
I just bought a used Mark 4, and lenses were dirty. Used air to blow off, then LensPen to brush off debris, blew with air again, then used Q-Tips w/Acetone. It did a great job, just like the video on USO shows. No smears or marks anywhere, and it did not hurt the coating. Lenses were spotless!
</div></div>
Kimwipes + acetone = good shit
Re: What is the best way to clean optics w/o scratchin
Lens pen then some hot breath and a microfiber cloth. Don't over complicate it.
Lens pen then some hot breath and a microfiber cloth. Don't over complicate it.
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