GTA
Support Equipment For PCP/HPA/CO2 and springers ,rams => Optics, Range estimation & related subjects => Topic started by: Bicycleman on May 29, 2017, 06:26:47 PM
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Ladies and Gentlemen
I cleaned my scopes this morning as part of my end of season activities.
I used regular Q-Tips soaked in rubbing alcohol - liberal amount of alcohol. I gently wet the lens with alcohol, and then lightly scrubbed rubbed the surface to remove any dust and oils.
Next, I wiped the lens dry with a clean microfiber cloth.
I changed the Q-Tip for each lens and kept turning the microfiber cloth to use a clean area.
I am satisfied with the results.
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Mike, I use a lens pen from walmart, you can find them in the camera section. One end has a dust brush the other has the lens cleaner. I keep a few in my hunting bags. I also keep camera lens paper and a can of dust off to blow out the stubborn stuff with me as well, less chance of scratching the scope lens. The pens are great for in the field quick cleaning.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lenspen-Mini-Pro-Compact-Lens-Pen-Cleaning-System-for-GoPro-Action-Camera/40638642 (https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lenspen-Mini-Pro-Compact-Lens-Pen-Cleaning-System-for-GoPro-Action-Camera/40638642)
https://www.walmart.com/search/?query=camera%20lens%20tissues%20 (https://www.walmart.com/search/?query=camera%20lens%20tissues%20)
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Thanks, Kris - I figured there had to be something that would be convenient for carrying into the field/woods. I just could not imagine carrying a jug of rubbing alcohol along on a hunt.
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Blow the dust off before you wipe the lenses. I use Zeiss lens wipes.
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I always wondered why scopes didn’t come with tear-offs like those race cars have on the windshields. That would be great!
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On good optics the lenses are coated to minimize the amount of light being loss due to reflection. Each additional lens (or shield) would degrade the light slightly, and the shield would introduce some refraction. Not sure (as in FUD) if you can optimize for both with and without shield with the same configuration. That said why don't you try throw some plastic wrap on both sides to see if you notice any (negative) effects?
In the photography world, some folks use ND or UV filter to protect an expensive lens. The better ones are multi-coated and run $100+. Others folks optimize for image quality and want as little between them and the subject as possible.
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My brother’s daughter is a contract photographer - I am going to ask her what she uses to clean and protect the lens on her cameras. In the meantime, I might give the plastic wrap a try.
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I've seen a couple of posts recently regarding cleaning and have replied a few times regarding my approach.
I think I would be in between the two methods mentioned here. A swab is more firm than I like (might drag dirt around, scratching the coating), but I like the pre-soak. A soft brush is good for light dust and dirt, but you probably don't want to get yours soapy or wet for those cases where a solvent is really needed. I pre-soak with soapy water, then use a simple water color paint brush to work the dirt and soap, rinse and repeat if necessary. Pat dry--don't wipe or rub, as the whole point is not to gouge your coatings.
As for soap versus alcohol, I did happen to do some reading last night that yielded an unexpected item. My daughter asked what exactly Vaseline was. Sure, it's petroleum jelly, but is it really oil based? Reading on Wiki gives the story of the discovery and marketing of Vaseline, but it also mentioned a chemistry item of significance here. Namely, petroleum jelly (grease) doesn't like to get up and move easily for soap and water. Acetone is definitely a good solvent but is too strong for plastic and any sealants on your optical gear. However, alcohol was enough of a solvent to do the job. By extrapolation, then, I'd say alcohol is a good start for many petroleum contaminants, like the guy that wiped his lenses with a tissue that had WD-40 on it...
Anyway, a few days ago I happened to look at my scope. I see the eyepiece often enough and it was starting to get to me, but then I looked at the objective end...Oh man, looks like I've got a chance to practice what I preach. The other dictum in optics is don't clean them if they don't bother you, but I will say this is starting to show--contrast is suffering when the light is a certain way.
I'll see if I can write it up in a new thread with pictures along the way to show the method.
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Wow, David, that scope bothers me and I am just looking AT it. Hee hee
Yep, I agree - It needs a cleaning. I will be watching . . . .
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Thanks, Kris - I figured there had to be something that would be convenient for carrying into the field/woods. I just could not imagine carrying a jug of rubbing alcohol along on a hunt.
What kind of a situation do you see where cleaning a lens in the field would be necessary?
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I have a couple of kits from Gander Mountain that I grabbed years ago. Small nylon zip up pouches about 3.5 x 5 inches and 1.5 inches thick. Each contains 1 small and 1 large dual ended brush/lens cup, a microfiber cloth, and a bottle of cleaning solution. Best things I ever had for cleaning-can be kept on you and work very well. Not sure but I would think Cabela's would have them still (Cabela's did buy out Gander Mountain didn't they?).
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The key is to clean them "WET"
Never ever clean them dry. Would you take a new car with dirt all over the hood and clean it dry? No you will swirl the paint from the grit already on it.
Same thing with lenses.
You want a spray that will not harm the AR coating and a micro fiber cloth.
If you don't have spray water is fine, it might leave some residue but wont harm the AR like wiping it dry will.
then later you can clean it properly at home with spray.
(http://puu.sh/wzzUd/af5b7b5a36.jpg)
When you clean the microfiber cloth use a some that leaves very little residue. Something like Dawn. but don't use soaps that contain softeners they will just grease up the optics.
Glass lenses are a bit tougher than plastic but I've done that for years with plastic optics and never had a scratch. Others that clean dry wonder why they have all these light scattering swirls on the lenses.
Treat the scope lens the same and you will have no issues.
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Sort of an after thought: I always use lens covers. I remove the covers when I leave my pickup truck and replace them when I get back to the truck. At home, the scope lens are always covered. I tried the flip-up covers that came with one of my scopes, but didn’t like them for several reasons. I even tried giving them away with no success. >:(
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I've seen this thread has had some activity lately, so I just wanted to let you know that dirty scope is still dirty and it is really bugging me now with the heat and humidity like it is (and air conditioning required in the house)...I've held off cleaning because I want to take the time to document it. I might get a chance at it over the holiday.
Mike, I probably don't have covers for this scope, though I suppose I could find something somewhere. A friend's gun I worked on lately had those elastic connected covers/caps that might be an option, but anything would be better than nothing. I dislike flip-up covers too.
Rajod, I agree 100%! My plastic eyeglass lenses are lasting forever. They are still so smooth that after a rinse the water that remains beads up and comes off like they had rain-x on them. Sometimes I'm literally dabbing dry just a few small drops (1/16" or smaller) off the lens. I too like dish soap.
I mentioned that my daughter had discovered that restroom hand soap was very good and we have since researched that some. The commercial restroom hand soap we have at the university lists sodium lauryl sulfate as the main "soap," and that seems to account for the aggressive cleaning action and ease of rinsing. It goes by some other names too, but many shampoos contain this as an active ingredient and she has mixed up a batch for cleaning her glasses and likes the result. She mixed it a lot stronger than I would have, but it works. I plan to try it on the scope.
PS: I was just reading again about sodium lauryl sulphate on Wiki: "It is a highly effective surfactant [i.e. soap] and is used in any task requiring the removal of oily stains and residues; for example, it is found in higher concentrations with industrial products including engine degreasers, floor cleaners, and car wash soaps." I guess that is saying something for how good it is. It is often used in personal care products for another reason: it foams nicely.
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David, one of my lens covers is a lid from a medicine bottle. It was very near the right size; and after adding a duct tape “gasket” around the inner lip, it fits nicely.
Something else that I have done for a while is connect my covers together with a length of twine. It is much harder to lose two.
I went to a Honda off-road vehicle dealership looking for scope covers. [The place sells hunting clothes, rifles, shotguns, ammo, scopes, and even air guns.] When I asked for scope covers/caps, the guy asked how big. So I showed him my Discovery. He called several guys over to see it and then found a set of covers that fit perfectly. I guess because he was so impressed with my rifle, he gave the scope covers to me.