How do you clean an eyepiece lens? - Page 2

#21 17-10-2005, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acropolite

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...

I think you might be right there, I remember walking in stating I was after isopropyl alcohol to clean optics and the chemist handed it right over.

regards,CS

fringe_dweller · #22 17-10-2005, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

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.

Ken, I used the old audio tape head cleaner from pro audio shops for ten years on my eyepieces and camera lenses on stubborn greasy stains with no ill effect that i can see - they are the same as they were in the beginning. The bottles usually stated their contents and percentage - usually 96-98% IPA or something like that.
Hi-fi audio Tape heads are very sensitive and cant afford to have residues left on them after cleaning - same as optics.
It is important that you do a breathe clean/pure cellulose free cotton swipes after you used the isa anyway - so that would remove any residue left you would think? with windex i thought its main active ingrediant was kerosene?
why dont camera shops sell pure ipa? all they sell are those detergent containing mixes - dumb!
but i cant vouch for video head cleaning fluid personally - but i cant see why its not the same???
also i bought a bottle of ipa 70% from chemist after much explaining and trying to prove i wasnt a terrorist or whateva (they were shocked and dumbfounded and said they had never had a request for pure IPA eva!!!) - it says on the bottle its untinted - what does that mean - impurity free? - so the other 30% is just pure distilled water? so if dr clay can water down his ipa isnt this the same thing!!??

asimov (John) · #23 17-10-2005, 05:53 PM

Do we now have a new re-seller for 'Doctor Hoff-Kearn optic cleaner fluid' mate?? I'll take a bottle!! (you know my adress)

acropolite (Phil) · #24 17-10-2005, 07:04 PM

Kearn Wrote

Quote:

so if dr clay can water down his ipa isnt this the same thing

Unfortunately the stuff that's less than 99% has all sorts of other impurities as well.

fringe_dweller · #25 17-10-2005, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asimov

Do we now have a new re-seller for 'Doctor Hoff-Kearn optic cleaner fluid' mate?? I'll take a bottle!! (you know my adress)

hehe sounds like we are back to square one John from what Phil said - i was thinking it was only 70% now, but once was pure and then watered down to its present 70% perhaps

- but the chemist shop i went to didnt seem interested in any further business on the subject either - they only had that one bottle in the whole shop - i think it had been there for years maybe?
people that make it sound easy to get hold of from chemists dont go to the chemists the rest of us go to

asimov (John) · #26 17-10-2005, 08:39 PM

Yeah. I have one EP to clean. The minimum amount of 99% is 1 litre @ $60. It's only an LV vixen....I'll just rub her on me pants leg like the clone 500 series I own shall I??

fringe_dweller · #27 17-10-2005, 08:58 PM

yer its a joke - i only want a little bit too - but nup a whole ltr i must buy.. the rub the pants thing sounds like "dr asimov's rub"
i guess if it wasnt classed a dangerous chemical you would be able to buy it mail order in smaller bottles by the dozens from hundreds of sellers - its a business bonanza dream for someone if they could ever figure out a way around it

asimov (John) · #28 17-10-2005, 09:06 PM

I know! I could sell the EP rather than fork out for the 99%!?? With the proceeds, buy a litre & then I have it for when my other EPs get dirty!

(then pour it down the sink when I move to America, cos' I can't send it thru the post) Could always have a go mixing it with orange juice & drinkin' it I guess..

fringe_dweller · #29 17-10-2005, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asimov

I know! I could sell the EP rather than fork out for the 99%!?? With the proceeds, buy a litre & then I have it for when my other EPs get dirty!

I wonder why i didnt think of that - its brilliant!

Ill drink to that too

asimov (John) · #30 17-10-2005, 09:20 PM

I have the answer! put EP/s in pocket. Get knife, make small cut on shin. smear on dead-horse. Take trip to hospital. Ask (nice friendly nurse)<

...to please disinfect with.....99% PURE alcohol (insist upon 99% in case of infection)....& while she's at it, pull out your EPs...."here, while your down there love?"

Sound like a plan!?

fringe_dweller · #31 17-10-2005, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asimov

I have the answer! put EP/s in pocket. Get knife, make small cut on shin. smear on dead-horse. Take trip to hospital. Ask (nice friendly nurse)<

...to please disinfect with.....99% PURE alcohol (insist upon 99% in case of infection)....& while she's at it, pull out your EPs...."here, while your down there love?"

Sound like a plan!?

RAJAH235 · #32 18-10-2005, 01:09 AM

Anyone been to the Optometrists lately? Why not try their cleaning solution & lens cloth/wipes? Works just fine..... + they're cheap..... About $5.00 ea.

L.

asimov (John) · #33 18-10-2005, 01:26 PM

Thanks Laurie, good idea mate!

fringe_dweller · #34 18-10-2005, 03:11 PM

Laurie Thanks

, but if that cleaning fluid is anything like the cleaning mixes that camera shops sell - than I have had nothing but bad results with that stuff - the times i have used them i needed isa just to clean up the mess it leaves behind - ie detergent streaks - i can see the irradescent look of detergent in water when i have used them

asimov (John) · #35 18-10-2005, 03:29 PM

Referring to the stuff that Bintel sells on their site for 10 bucks per bottle: What's in that stuff?
& how can they send it to you if it's classed as a dangerous/explosive/flammable substance?

RAJAH235 · #36 18-10-2005, 10:32 PM

The optical cleaner that I have does not leave marks/streaks or any kind of film AFAICS. E/Pcs. look clean & clear with no rainbows.

L.

davidpretorius · #37 18-10-2005, 10:51 PM

went to the glasses shop and bought some eyewear cleaner containing isopropyl and also some wipes containing isopropyl.

bit scared to use them on my series 500, what happens if i do something wrong and i am up for thousands of $ to replace them..............

so i tries mikes barlows first!!!

they are now my barlows!!!!!!

actually, it went well, one barlow screwed off and i could get at the lens easily. the 2.4x didn't screw off and so i had to spray it in there and wipe with cotton buds and let dry.

would love to see if they are now better by imaging mars, but the clouds won't GO AWAY!!!!!

asimov (John) · #38 18-10-2005, 11:01 PM

Yes, but what % isopropyl did U get mate.

RAJAH235 · #39 18-10-2005, 11:15 PM

Davo, Check if there's a 'WARNING' on the bottle. Mine has, stating 'DO NOT APPLY DIRECTLY TO LENSES', apply to cloth only.
Bit late, I know, but............

L.

davidpretorius · #40 19-10-2005, 06:34 AM

a mist sprayer bottle for applying direct to lens and a backup up 500ml bottle.

doesn't say what % it is.

Everything looks fine, not sure what to check for to see if things are stuffed up. They look clear anyhow and marks are gone.

I am bringing to star camp and my 40mm needs cleaning and that can be a group effort. If the 40mm dies then so be it. I need to look at two really good ep's planetary and wide view in 1.25" soonish = $$$$$

So the series 500 can be a test case!