Also ... for the love of god ... if you do get a new mirror ... Please do NOT store it in your shed.
I realize we had a bit of moisture in the air with a few clouds about, but I swear on my mothers grave, that a lot can be done to further improve your views due to the current condition of your scope.
Definitely invest in a shroud or make one up
and use a lightweight closed cell foam mat around the top to help cut out dew and fast blowing particles.
The amount of dust, hair and fine scratches I saw on both mirrors makes using filters pointless to begin with as the amount of light coming in from some of those galaxies was WAY to dim compared to a well looked after 12" dob. I would also not use a micro fibre cloth like the one you had as they will infact leave scratches themselves.
I ended up using a good lens brush with a bulb blower to clean mine ... I never knew any of this stuff and in fact did more damage and than good when I first started out ... but the biggest thing for guys like us ... whom have sheds with dust, moisture and wind that get in, is to NEVER EVER store our astronomy gear in them! EVER ...
I don't care what my wife says ... The scope always makes its way into my bedroom cupboard if it can fit ... I think the 10" tube choice will be my next best choice for such a tactic. If she does not like it, then she will have to go. You know how it is.
Anyways mate ... Lets go star Gazing again? I manage to wire up my old red dot finder, so wont have to aim my little refactor like a cannon.
The things some of us have to do. $$$
