How do you clean an eyepiece lens?

davidpretorius · #1 16-10-2005, 03:07 PM

Hi,

I have two barlows, a 2x and a 2.4x.

Barlows, by design, must be more open to collection of dust etc than eyepieces.

I noticed last night processing the videos, the image distort from the dust and stuff.

How do you go about cleaning a barlow?

Thanks

asimov (John) · #2 16-10-2005, 03:24 PM

Well, I don't actually recommend it. Are you sure the dust is on the barlow rather than the camera sensor??( Never cleaned an EP or a barlow in my whole life BTW)

davidpretorius · #3 16-10-2005, 03:32 PM

without the barlow, no disturbances.

also, i can see dust inside the barlow.

If i strongly de focus with the toucam, i can see disturbances etc on the cd's ie on the ccd etc, but these ones are new

asimov (John) · #4 16-10-2005, 03:41 PM

I see.

Well It's a touchy subject for most I would reckon....Got a camera blower brush? I'd start with one of them...take the brush bit off & blow across the face with the puffer to get rid of the loose stuff first. Not sure I should be the one to recommend what to do after that stage though..(EEK!)

iceman (Mike) · #5 16-10-2005, 03:44 PM

You can unscrew the barrel from the barlow and get at the lens that way. Just use a normal blower brush to blow then brush the dirt off.

It's the same as cleaning an eyepiece, and they're pretty robust. I've never done anything while cleaning my eyepieces that has damaged them.

Like mirror cleaning, it has to be done and it's not that scary.

asimov (John) · #6 16-10-2005, 03:48 PM

It's scary to me Mike! lol....I have 1 EP that REALLY needs cleaning...but I cannot get hold of any pure isopropyl (is that the right stuff for the job?)

gbeal · #7 16-10-2005, 04:10 PM

I treat it like any other costly optical surface. Only clean it if absolutely necessary.
If so, thensame as a camera lens, some lens cleaning fluid, and lens tissue.
I have of late been using a micro fibre cloth, and anti static lens fluid.
Biggest job will be getting into the interior, unless it dis-assembles easy.

acropolite (Phil) · #8 16-10-2005, 05:28 PM

I use Dr Clay's cleaning recipe for SCT corrector plates for everything. If it doesn't harm the UHTC coatings on my LX then I assume it's OK for everything. Asimov, pure Isopropal alcohol can be ordered from your local chemist and will be more cost effective if you buy it by the litre. Dr Clays cleaning mix recipe is at http://www.arksky.org/asoclean.htm

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #9 16-10-2005, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acropolite

Asimov, pure Isopropal alcohol can be ordered from your local chemist and will be more cost effective if you buy it by the litre.

I can't speak for the whole of Victoria but in Ballarat NO chemist will sell Isopropyl Alcohol by the litre. They will however sell you a box of those little Alcohol wipes and you squeeze the alcohol out of the little paper swab, or they will clean the item if you bring it in (shudder!)

.

beren · #10 16-10-2005, 05:58 PM

I do the same as Phil but i brought some of the Dr Clays mix {sold as UTHC cleaner} from Bintel.As for technique i use a blower brush first , then a gentle brush with one of those lens pens-one direction -{they have a camel hair brush and cleaning pad at either end} then if the eyepiece lens requires further cleaning i use a cotton pad/swab dampened with the UTHC cleaner via a little pump spray bottle-one direction again-.A barlow is going to be a little bit more tricky

h0ughy (David) · #11 16-10-2005, 06:18 PM

I also use the Bintel Snake Oil, it's pretty good!

BTW Beren, the avitar has improved somewhat, your scope again?

davidpretorius · #12 16-10-2005, 06:59 PM

thanks guys!

acropolite (Phil) · #13 16-10-2005, 07:29 PM

Quote:

I can't speak for the whole of Victoria but in Ballarat NO chemist will sell Isopropyl Alcohol by the litre

I think that's something to do with it's classification, but if you explain to the chemist they should get it for you. We buy IPA for cleaning telephone handsets and once a valid explanation is given they supply no problem. There may be laws governing it's use in your state. If you want to mix up a brew Dave, I have all the ingredients. PM Me...

davidpretorius · #14 16-10-2005, 08:30 PM

will do phil,

might even catch up during next few weeks, so i can take some to star camp.

asimov (John) · #15 16-10-2005, 08:30 PM

I approached our local chemist here about a month ago looking for the 95% pure Isopropyl. They had the 65% on the shelf but I've been told to stay clear of that as it will smear EP elements (low evaporation rate) Here in SA there was no problem ordering the 95% by the litre, once they knew what it was for. (optics cleaning) $60 per Lt.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #16 16-10-2005, 09:17 PM

Actually, I just remembered something and went and checked. I have in my hot little hand right at this moment a small bottle marked 'Isopropyl Alcohol' from a Video Head cleaning kit I bought at the Reject Shop for $2. It is 3/4 oz (15cc).

Does anyone know if this is 65% or 95%.? If it is 95% it would be excellent as it is readily available.

acropolite (Phil) · #17 16-10-2005, 09:30 PM

I payed $35 for a 500 ml bottle 99.5% I doubt the head cleaning stuff would be of sufficient purity. Apparently it's not that good an idea to use pure IPA either; it's worth reading Dr Clays notes as what he says makes sense, he uses IPA, Windex and distilled water to dilute the stuff together with Kodak Photo Flo to minimise any streaking. Everything's filtered before mixing. I scaled down the measurements and made up a small batch only.

Ron Garrett · #18 17-10-2005, 01:33 AM

I've used CD cleaner spray for cleaning microscope lenses in a lab situation with success. Cleaning of CD's does require a good product.

But someone talked of cleaning mirrors. Thats a much more frightening subject. I have some ATM mirrors I need to clean. Any advice other than 'DONT"

iceman (Mike) · #19 17-10-2005, 06:17 AM

Hi Ron!

to the forum!

There's a great thread discussing some various techniques about cleaning mirrors, and how scary (or not) it is.

Find it here: http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ead.php?t=4496

#20 17-10-2005, 09:21 AM

I use Isopropyl Alcohol (99.5% v/v) on al my ep's barlows and filter when needed,
along with 100% natural (scent free) cotton buds and balls. Works a treat mirror
finish everytime. But there is a lil bit of a knack to it, and some ep's are easier than
other. IE: my pentax xw's are a far easier to clean than my 30mm SV, due to the
fact that the top section of the eyeguard is easily removed.

I start from the centre and work out, changing the cotton bud or ball with every
wipe. I also use the moisture in my breath along with the Isopropyl Alcohol in the initial wipes.

I brought a 500ml bottle from a chemist in town for $30.00 from memory. I half filled
one of those eye dropper bottles and have cleaned my ep's several times and still have
close to half a eyedropper bottle full. One word of warning when I cleaned my
Meade #140 apo x2 barlow. Just the fumes are enough to damage the high quality
and durable printing that is so easily removed. I have never had this problem with
Vixen, Uni Optics, Pentax or Astronomiks.

Al Nagler has a good dscription on cleaning ep's
http://www.televue.com/engine/page.asp?ID=143

regards,CS