Quote:
Originally Posted by Satchmo
I guess the fans in the base make things a bit harder .Lay telescope on its side on the grass . Put a wide spray nozzle on the hose , a bit like a shower rose . Give the primary a good blast of water to blow off dust and dirt . give the mirror a light wipe with a big handful of soaking cotton wool soaked in warm weak detergent solution to cut through any grease- not much pressure on the mirror . Blast with hose again Sluice it generously with demineralised water while still on side - let the fine droplets dry off or spot them with a Kimwipe lintfree tissue and blow gently.
This is exactly how I clean my Newt mirror outside in its tube - but I dont have fans to worry about so I do it face up with my arms down the bottom half of the tube which comes in half.
Just remember that mirrors are overcoated with silica - they are tough - only a particle that is extremely hard backed by an unyielding surface can scratch it. The windows in your home will still look great after years of cleaning and we don't treat them nearly as well as a telescope mirror  |
Can confirm this is the same technique Peter Read of SDM used on my 28 mirror when he visited earlier in the year it works a treat. The mirror was the best I've ever seen it afterwards. I will say that we had removed the mirror from the scope at the time but this technique could just as well have been done with it in place.