Collimation Question - Page 2

cjmarsh81 · #21 26-01-2006, 04:22 PM

I have removed the fingerprint from my secondary mirror!

Following the instructions I have found on several websites I cleaned it in this way.

1. Remove the secondary mirror from the scope.
2. Put a towel in the bottom of the kitchen sink and place the mirror over the towel and run room temperature water over it for a couple minutes.
3. Half fill the sink with warm water and a teaspoon of ordinary dish-washing detergent.
4. Place the mirror in the detergent and let sit for about ten minutes.
5. The fingerprint was still there so I lightly brushed a piece of cotton wool over it a few times and this removed it.
6. Take the mirror out of the water.
7. Immediately rinse it with distilled or demineralised water.(To stop mineral deposits forming and drying on the mirror surface)
8. Place the mirror on its side and let it dry. ( you can use the corner of a tissue to remove any droplets if they don't run off)
9. Reinstall it into the scope

From now on I am going to use a set of surgical gloves when I collimate the secondary as I do not want to do this again!

davidpretorius · #22 26-01-2006, 04:50 PM

well done

rumples riot · #23 26-01-2006, 06:03 PM

Well done, however you should not have to touch the actual secondary. So next tiem no reaching around.

Good that you have cleaned the secondary though.

RAJAH235 · #24 26-01-2006, 08:37 PM

I've found a 'puffer brush' is great for chasing the last little drops off the mirror.
Well done.

Now for the primary.........

L.
ps. Only when necessary. Not just when it looks dusty.

cjmarsh81 · #25 26-01-2006, 10:40 PM

I have no intention of touching or cleaning it again. It was only a mistake the first time I attempted collimation I touched the secondary.

davidpretorius · #26 26-01-2006, 11:05 PM

you will get more confidence. I pull my scope apart all the time to tinker here and there. I know how scared i was first time.

barees63 · #27 27-01-2006, 08:55 AM

First time I pulled the primary out I thought I was going to have a coronary! Having read all the articles that talk about how they scratch if you just look at them funny, paranoia about dust etc.. but look at how exposed they are in truss scopes, they're not that delicate.. btw, don't do what I (and I'm sure most newbies) did and shine a torch down the OTA to check out the mirror - it always looks much more awful than it really is..