Mirror Cleaning

[Dobbs]

Howdy,

Im moving to Melbourne in 2 weeks and was wondering if anyone new where i could get my 16 inch mirror cleaned. Google is not delivering and im not confident enough to do it myself.


Thanks,

Ant

[pgc hunter]

You're moving to Melbourne out of your own free will? :eyepop: Mate you won't have to worry about cleaning that mirror, because by the time the next clear sky rolls around the thing will be fossilized.


But you could ask a fellow Melbourne-based IIS member to help you out, or you can ring Bintel and ask them if they offer a mirror cleaning service.

[norm]

Hi Ant,

There is an article written by Mike in the articles section on how to clean the mirror. Not knowing the scope itself (Lightbridge, SDM or Orion) its most likely you don't want to take the mirror out.

If its just a small amount of dust or minor specks, its most likely won't impede the quality of the views. I know it looks annoying to see, but in most cases its fine.

However, if you really want to clean it and based on my SDM.... I do the following:

1. glad wrap any electrical components, switches on the LTA (lower tube assembly - most to do with wiring for dew heaters, fan or Argonavis).
2. Tilt the LTA about 45 degrees, place a towel at the bottom to asborb water run off.
3. using a spray bottle, spray mirror
4. Soak a few cotton balls, or better still, cotton pads women use to wipe make up off in luke warm water made up of a few droplets of dishwashing liquid.
5. Gently wipe across mirror surface, remembering not to put any undue pressure or force. That is, don't rub in, just wipe across.
6. I like to repeat step 5.
7. Now using distilled water, slowly pour over mirror to rinse off. Before doing so, if original towel is drenched, replace first with another in same position.
8. After rinse, leave LTA tilted and allow to air dry. You can put a small fan near scope to speed up drying process.
9. Do not be tempted to wipe mirror, however if you see a droplet of water that won't go away, you can always use an ear bud to soak it up. (especially in the centre if you have a centre hole marker).
10. Remove towel, to prevent moisture from possibly damaging MDF material.

Others may comment on what I have said, I've done this a number of times with my scope without issues.

Honestly, there is nothing to it. Just use common sense.

Cheers Norm

PS: The Obession website or youtube may have a video on cleaning large mirrors.

[MattT]

Sadly all too true...last had my scope out for 60mins in July early one morning.:( Try YouTube.

[jjjnettie]

Don't be afraid to try cleaning it yourself. The first time is very stressful and you will be very precious about it, as you should be, but honestly, it isn't that difficult.
Blow all the dust off the mirror first. Then lightly brush remaining dust off.
Then any cruddy bits (frog poo, the bane of my life etc) Lay a couple of clean tea towels over top of the mirror and wet them, let them sit for 15min or so, this will allow the crud to soften before rinsing off, you don't want to try rubbing crusty stuff off the mirror.
Gently clean the crud off , repeat the soaking with wet tea towels if necessary.
Rinse mirror with clean water, distilled/boiled/filtered rain water, what ever.
I use a very old, well worn, clean cotton t shirt, for the drying process. They are lint free and very absorbent for those last few spots of water that linger. They leave a streak free finish.
It's best not to clean the mirror in the sun, it can be blinding.


There is a video I'll try to dig out of one of the big mirrors in Hawaii being cleaned with horse sponges and dish washing liquid. It will make you cringe.

Not the one I was looking for, but you might find it interesting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRwcFRYA0A0&feature=related