cleaning eyepieces

[bytor666]

Reged: 12/26/04
Posts: 95




I have a question regarding the cleaning of eyepieces. I own 2 eyepieces at the moment...(i know ,i know not many yet haha). One is a 9mm nagler type 1 and the other is an Antares 32mm Erfle. I used to clean my eyepieces with a lenspen, but read that "rubbing" the lens surface leads to scratching and ware of the coatings on the glass. Can anybody recommend the ULTIMATE way to clean eyepieces without worrying about anything???...many responses would be highly appreciated. Thanks all.
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MARK
12" GSO SCOPE

[Dave47tuc (David)]

Hi Mark,
Read this link http://www.cloudynights.com/howtos2/cleaning.htm

My choice is not to clean unless really nesassary.
You will not hurt the eyepiece if you are carefull.


Good luck.

[Robby]

They look pretty clean... I wouldn't bother cleaning them. A bit of dust doesn't hurt the view at all.
Cheers

[Starkler (Geoff)]

I use a very soft brush to flick away any dirt or dust, then use cotton buds dampened (not soaked) with windex and mop up with lens paper.

The two things to avoid are grinding any dirt particles on the lens or allowing any liquid to get to the edge of the lens where it can wick inside the eyepiece. Thats bad news.

[Striker (Tony)]

If it was me......I would just replace my eyepieces when they got dusty.....lol

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

Good call tony
Send any dirty Naglers, UO's or pentax's to GAA in the NT.
We will lovingly clean & put to good use

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

Seriously though ... i have always used a lens blower followed with a lens cleaning tissue impregnated with Isopryl aclcohol.
This leaves a slight residue which can be washed off with a little distilled water from a misting spray bottle.
Like Starler says thou ... dont let the water get inside.
let air dry or blow off with a hair dryer.
I only do this if the eyepieces have lots of fingerprints & skin oils on them (public viewing nights )

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

I use a lense blower/brush and then gently wipe with a spectacle cloth available from optometrists.

These cloths are impregnated with a special cleaning solution. (the good ones are).

For a quick clean whilst viewing I use an anti-static record cleaning cloth. (you can still buy them at shops that sell records)

Thats my method. Each his own.

[ving (David)]

1 blower brush for camera lenses to... blow
cotton bud with camera lens clening solution (using very little so the EP doesnt get too wet

[Smokey]

Just a quick one....
Is demineralized and distilled water the same thing?
I need to centre spot my mirror and thought while I was doing it, I might as well give it a rinse with distilled water for a quick clean.....all they had was demineralized. Will this do the same job?

[iceman (Mike)]

Yep, that's what I used to clean my mirror.

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

Yep ...same stuff
Have done the same myself, a quick clean of a dusty mirror with a bottle of Demin water.

[Smokey]

Thanks guys
Just finished.....now all I have to do now is try get it back together

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

De-mineralised water is Distilled water. They de-mineralise it by distilling it.

Or if you want the pure version for free - 'Clean Rain-Water' collected in a plastic container. Never use a metal container as this adds mineral!

[bytor666]

woohoo....thanx a bunch for all the wonderful replies...this forum is GREEEEEEEEEEEEEET...!!!!!!!!
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MARKUS
12" GSO SCOPE

[Striker (Tony)]

Or if you have a reverse Osmosis water filtration system Like I do (Striker is a snob)...thats good for cleaning optical lenzes aswell.