cleaning a C9.25 XLT

[graham.hobart]

after just selling my almost brand new 9.25, my colleague at works says he has one that needs a temporary home whilst he is rebuilding his house- it came like this....
I cleaned a C 8 before but would love extra tips to make my life easier if anyone has any pro tips- it's a reet mess-he has a small kid so I wonder about child vomit but it seems to be on the inside of the schmidt plate.

[Camelopardalis]

:eyepop: :eyepop: :sadeyes:

[h0ughy]

Oh my, bintel wonder solution will only go so far. Wash with distilled water but I think the acid from the vomit will have already etched the corrector plate

[Merlin66]

Hmmmm
I hope there’s no spread of the sh!t to the mirror....
Otherwise the usual, mark the corrector, remove and give it a good soak in soapy water wipe with care and rinse in distilled water....reassemble.

[graham.hobart]

I would hope its not vomit as it was stored outside then apparently blew over (!!!!) sure looks manky though- I will give it a good go with soapy water and cotton balls.
My cleaning of a C 8 a few months ago worked well

[PaulSthcoast]

Hi Graham.

It might be me,

but it looks like regurgitated chocolate.

Milky Way perhaps ?


Paul.

[Sunfish]

Willy Koorts is the SCT cleaning master
Check his YouTube from the observatory .

https://youtu.be/e66yIuD3cMk

Also his you tube on vacuum depositing aluminium on a mirror is excellent.

[graham.hobart]

\

this made me laugh!!!

[graham.hobart]

Hi Ray thanks for the link- looks good. Just need time and a place to take it to bits and keep it away from my easter egged up kids!!

[graham.hobart]

Additionally the counterweight bar security nut is missing- the bit that stops the counterweights from dropping on your foot? Anyone know the screw size or an Aussie dealer I can get a replacement? ADM do a bar and new rosette alternate kit but that seems a bit extreme

[Tulloch]

I used these instructions for mine - it works really well!

I don't have the Kodak PhotoFlo solution, but I followed the instructions for everything else and it did a great job.

https://www.astrodog.com.au/fine-optics-cleaner-instructions/

Good luck, Andrew.

[graham.hobart]

first round of cleaning ....
I used a solution of distilled water with detergent and some acetone- came out better than expected, I then dabbed the inside with some acetone but that seemed to take the black paint off, so I used careful tea tree oil to discourage mould/fungi. I then re-assembled and the last pic is a screen shot of a road sign 2.3 km away across the valley, seems ok collimation wise. Need a star check but weather really crummy currently. Would love to give it a blast on the planets.