Cleaning accidental fingerprints

[LewisM]

Was assembling my FS60CB with the extender-Q module today (thanks Matt!) and in removing the objective, (STIFF!!!) accidentally touched the objective with my pinky finger, leaving that damned silvery-purple oil ring.

Tried cleaning with isopropyl, but not a LOT better - should I step up to acetone carefully? Bintel's UHTC cleaning did not much except spread it around :) Maybe I am being to careful/low pressure because of it being a fluorite objective...

Not noticeable at all through the scope, but these things have habits of getting worse, attracting dust etc etc. You need to keep fluorite nice and clean :)

[Amaranthus]

I use a Lens Pen - works superbly.

[Grimmeister]

Hi Lewis,

I have cleaned my mirror with mild detergent (1 drop in a sink of water) and cotton balls (again one per wipe gently) then rinsed in tap water to remove all traces of detergent and then with copious qty's of distilled water till the water ran clean off the mirror leaving no drops or streaks at all.

Not sure how you could do this on an objective as part of an assembly of lenses as I suspect water would get into the spaces between lenses but maybe a gentle application on the primary could work????

I take no responsibility for this or the outcome and only make the suggestion. I recommend you leave it or get it professionally cleaned.

Cheers

Anthony

[casstony]

You could try absorbing the cleaning solution off the lens with a folded Kleenex tissue before it dries; when I clean with isopropyl I notice some of the solvent/oil mixture remains on the lens unless it is cleaned repeatedly or absorbed before it dries.

If the objective hasn't been cleaned for some time there may be water soluble contaminants on the lens in which case you need to also clean with distilled water and absorb the droplets off the lens before they dry.

[pw]

There is a product called Residual Oil Remover (ROR), excellent with a microfibre lens cloth for getting of smears, streaks and the like. I had to order mine from the US. I use it on camera lenses & filters. It's originally made for microscopy I think. They use an oil drop between slide and objective at high powers.

[LewisM]

Thanks all.

Got it better by homebrewed isopropyl and distilled water, but not perfect. Might get some ROR and give that a shot.

[leon]

As suggested, a good lens pen, works just great, the lenses etc are tougher than made out to be by the respective suppliers.
I clean my Canon 5D sensor with a good quality Lens pen without and problems, comes up a treat.

Leon

[mithrandir]

Anyone used Rosco Lens Cleaning Fluid? John Barry (http://www.johnbarry.com.au/products/rosco-lens-cleaning-fluid) stock it an I use it on my camera lenses.

[LewisM]

I brewed up another batch of iso/windex with a dash of acetone, and it cleared it right up, good as new, no smudges or anything. PHEW!!!

[brian nordstrom]

:D+1 , these lens pens are very good for 'nose prints' on eyepieces as well .
Just read the instructions first .

Brian.

[Shano592]

Andrew, on my LX200, it specifically states to not use camera lens cleaner. Not sure if it is the same for all glass or not.

I bought Bintel's cleaner, which I believe is a mix of isopropyl and distilled water. That seems to work ok.

[Regulus]

Just got this advert in my email Lewis. Note the Free Shipping is Canada and Continental USA
http://www.canadiantelescopes.com/Shop-By-Brand/Cleaning-Solutions/

The ad says it's what ALL the big scopes use.
At these prices imaging buying a few Gallons to wash a huge scope.
:)

[lazjen]

:eyepop:

Might as well throw it out and buy a new scope instead! :rofl:

[Exfso]

Aint that the truth, what is this stuff made out of at that price!!

[MrB]

That's easy.
By law they must provide a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
Here you go:
http://www.altechna.com/download/Red%20First%20Contact%20MSDS.pdf

:D

[pdalek]

This stuff is not for washing optics in the usual sense. Instead it is a liquid that dries to a plastic film. Spread it on, let dry, then peel off. Beware - it dissolves plastics.

Not a new idea, I have used two earlier brands for cleaning laser optics. They worked OK. One other version was made for cleaning LP records.

Can get sticky plastic film which does the same thing but is not good for highly curved surfaces. Can't remember its name.