Cleaning

[strummer4 (Steve)]

Hi all. I own a Meade 8" which seems to have developed a smudge on the inside of the front lens of the finder scope. Does anyone know how to get it off to clean?
Thanks. Steve

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

If it aint to bad Steve , ( any chance of a photo ? ) I would just leave it but if you really want to , the whole end with the objective lense in it just unscrews , you need to losen off the lock ring ( the narrow ring just behind the main end where the lense is ) then unscrew it .
Bintel sell the best cleaning fluid around , just google them .
Good luck .
Brian.

Originally Posted by strummer4

Hi all. I own a Meade 8" which seems to have developed a smudge on the inside of the front lens of the finder scope. Does anyone know how to get it off to clean?
Thanks. Steve

[Shark Bait (Stu)]

On the inside? Did the finderscope get a lot of dew build up and not be allowed to dry out before storage?

Sounds like you might have a little bit of mould.

[strummer4 (Steve)]

Thanks. Yes, maybe dew and not allowed to dry properly. Condensation maybe? Anyway it's definitely on the inside. There's 3little holes around the lens tube. Do these have something to do with unscrewing it?
Thanks for any help.
Steve

[strummer4 (Steve)]

I can unscrew the whole lens assembly from the blue tube but then can't get to the back of the lens cos the crosshairs are in the way.
Steve

[Shark Bait (Stu)]

I am thinking along the same lines as Brian. If the finderscope is the type we are familiar with, the section containing the objective should just screw off the tube. If your finderscope is different it might be best to post a photo.

[Shark Bait (Stu)]

Originally Posted by strummer4

I can unscrew the whole lens assembly from the blue tube but then can't get to the back of the lens cos the crosshairs are in the way.
Steve

So the problem is at the eyepiece end of the finderscope, not the objective?

[strummer4 (Steve)]

Yes. The eyepiece end. It's only about 6 months old.

[strummer4 (Steve)]

Brian I understand now what you meant, but the problem is at the eyepiece end, not the objective. Any way of cleaning the eyepiece end?
Thanks. Steve

[Shark Bait (Stu)]

Originally Posted by strummer4

Yes. The eyepiece end. It's only about 6 months old.

I don't have access to my scope at the moment but I am sure that I have managed to pull that section of the finderscope apart. When I get it back (tomorrow), I will have another look. Chances are that someone else on IIS will have a solution for you before then.

[strummer4 (Steve)]

Ok thanks Stu. The only way that I can see to clean the inside of the eyepiece lens is to unscrew the entire eyepiece assembly then VERY carefully use a cotton bud to reach down between the crosshairs and dab the lens clean...
Just tried that and worked a treat, although the crosshairs now appear slightly wonky at the edges, but still workable.
Thanks. Steve