Were do you get pure cotton buds/balls

[coldlegs]

I'm convinced the buds I used for cleaning have chemicals in them that leave deposits. Does anyone know of a source of buds/balls that are guaranteed chemical free??
Cheers
Stephen

[jjjnettie]

For cleaning optics, I use 10cm square swabs made from clean old cotton t-shirts. They are virtually lint free and very absorbent. Use them once then throw away. You can age a new t'shirt by running it through the washing machine a few times using hot water and detergent. That will remove any "polish" from the fibres.
I've been using this method for years now and have never damaged my optics. I use isopropyl alcohol purchased from Jaycar.

[casstony]

For cleaning corrector plates I've used Johnson's 100% pure cotton balls without a problem. I use white Kleenex tissues rolled into a pencil shape and torn in half for cleaning eyepieces. (with appropriate solvents).

I don't like cotton buds or lens pens, even though many people do prefer them.

[Poita]

I use microfibre cloth, but have no idea if it is a good idea or not?!?

[Peter Ward]

You might want to copy and print this...


Cleaning refractive optics 101:

Required tools: Name brand plain white Kleenex. Name brand plain windex.
good quality Acetone. Garbage bag for spent tissues. Can of "dust-off"


1) Blast optics with Dustoff to remove any grit. ( Purge the can first...or you'll have a lovely propellant spot as well)
2) Either lightly spray corrector (large optic) or tissue (small optics) with Windex.
3) *gently* remove windex from surface.

The rule is:
One wipe= one tissue

(tissue's are *really cheap* optics are not)

4) Blast with Dustoff again... does it look clean? Then stop now.

5) Still have marks? Then soak tissue A with acetone, and have a dry tissue B handy to *gently* mop-up any excess.

Remember...one tissue = one wipe!

You may be left with some "evaporative" marks on the coating... don't rub them with a dry tissue...they do no harm, so learn to love them.

6) Blast optic with dustoff agin to remove any debris.

7) Still not clean?

O.K......You really need to be able to determine whether you have a coating failure or similar before getting too agressive with alternative solvents.... seek professional help, as a dirty optic is way better than a scratched one.

[coldlegs]

Never thought of using old tee shirts or windex. Hmmm. Ok. Shopping list
1/ windex
2/ acetone (already have pure alcohol)
3/ plain white tissues
4/ Johnsons pure 100% cotton balls
5/ some old tee shirts are getting nervous!
6/ can of dustoff

Great ideas gang!!!
Cheers
Stephen

[frolinmod]

Ouch, I don't use canned air. I use a rubber air bulb. It looks like a fat little rocket ship. Squeezing the bulb causes an amazingly powerful blast of air to shoot out. No risk blowing propellant all over my optics either. Some guy in the local astronomy club is working on manufacturing low cost (~US$500 or so) carbon dioxide snow guns for everyone. I can't wait to get one.

[coldlegs]

I may have jumped the gun a little with the dustoff. I have to ask... what the heck is a carbon dioxide snow gun and how is it used??
Cheers
Stephen

[casstony]

I use a foot operated air mattress pump for blowing dust off optics. Any manual device which doesn't contain propellants will do.

I only use acetone as a last resort to remove something stubborn like a blob of tree sap. It's safer to try pure isopropyl first.

In my experience most corrector plate deposits are water soluble while most eyepiece deposits are alcohol soluble.

[Ausrock]

Those of us who still record to tape (1") and who are in the know, won't use cotton balls, etc., near the tape heads. Cleaning is done with denatured alcohol and make-up removing pads..........they're approx., 40-50mm dia and available in packs from most supermarkets.

[coldlegs]

Cancel the question. I just googled this document

http://www.p2pays.org/ref/02/01017.pdf

that explains it all. I'm definitely interested in a cheap version of one!
cheers
stephen

[dannat]

I second the windex, it's great stuff, edmunds in the us sell a glorified windex as there optics cleaner,
I am not a fan of tissues as such, if you are using them make sure they are wet so cannot scratch, the breast milk absorbing pads are reasonable :sadeyes: (when you. Uh them rub your chest & tell the cashier you how sore you are:thumbsup:)

[bartman]

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0259446/)......
Windex fixes everything.... :)
bartman