Good video. There are many things to take into consideration depending on the type of optical element being cleaned. Mirrors I find are easy (soak, mild detergent wash then stream distilled water), as are occulars (Qtips and glass cleaner). One of the toughest cleaning jobs I have had was a corrector plate on a 8" SCT about 32 years ago. The glass surface had really good anti-reflective coatings on it, dark green stuff. I could not remove the corrector as the telescope was on display. All attempts to clean with liquid cleaners resulted in residue. It was like the coatings were drying out the liquid out too fast. Well long story short... in the end a lens cleaning cloth was the only thing that resulted in a perfectly clean optical surface. Like carpet cleaner be sure to try a small area first to ensure there are no adverse results if the optics are big. Grit is the enemy, ensure it is banished or you can scratch coatings. Always wash mirrors under a water stream so dirt is washed away. Use gloves to avoid oil from your skin being a factor.
Thanks! Good to know about the mirrors - I have never cleaned mirrors before. That is very interesting about the SCT having a green film, at least the the lens cloth worked. - Cheers Kurt
Thanks Glenn. I was always interested in their 'secret' cleaning formulas. I had to clean my ASI1600 last year and read that ZWO recommends 70% ethanol. I contacted them with regard to using 70% isopropyl just to be on the safe side. - Cheers Kurt
I’m always nervous cleaning my optics and use a lot of technics you went through. I also suffer from what I think are tree sap stickies, which are stuck on the lens. I’ll certainly try your dissolve tip as they were a pain to get off. Thanks for putting together the video. Certainly helps me re-affirm I’m doing things correctly when I do have to clean (which isn’t that often)
Thanks. I certainly understand your concern - I am the same way. Just don't so much on the Q-Tip where a lot pools up along the seam and you should be fine. - Cheers
Thanks for intro to chemicals. Great process. I’d like to point out technique issues you probably over looked because of being caught up in making the video. Never insert foreign objects into bottles of cleaning agent, this case q-tip into isopropyl alcohol bottle, you’ve possibly contaminated the solution left in container. Today, as one learns more techniques get updated, would you change your technique? Cheers
@@AstroQuest1 i wouldn’t have said anything except I didn’t want hobbyist say “that’s what AstrQuest1 did”. I know chemist, and other scientists know better.
Can I use this method on my pair of Nikon Action Ex binocular ocular & objective lenses? I have Isopropyl Alcohol 99.9% concentration would that work too or it has to be 70% like yours?
Should work fine on the lenses. Avoid contact with mirrors and around the edges where there may be grease or adhesives. Might want to check with Nikon just to be sure. Good Luck
Thanks. Stopped me from using acetone. Looks like the Zeiss type product would eliminate need for solutions, pads, q tips etc. Any thoughts on the polymer solutions that you peel off?
Yeah the Zeiss is pretty good along with the microfiber cloth to wipe of any streaks. Definitely avoid acetone. I have not used the peel off polymers but they look interesting . Good luck
@@AstroQuest1 I tried, even picked up a couple strap wrenches, no joy, nothing would break the dew shield loose from the lens section, lens loosened up but never got the shield to budge
@@AstroQuest1 Insect,arachnid poop in general, not just or necessarily spiders. At night, if the temps warrant it, all sorts of flying insects and crawling ones are on the hunt. Sow bugs, centipedes, spiders, moths, mosquitoes, flies, earwigs (VERY big...they live everywhere as your freshly lit barbecue will soon reveal)...and they all poop about once every two or three minutes.
Good video. There are many things to take into consideration depending on the type of optical element being cleaned. Mirrors I find are easy (soak, mild detergent wash then stream distilled water), as are occulars (Qtips and glass cleaner). One of the toughest cleaning jobs I have had was a corrector plate on a 8" SCT about 32 years ago. The glass surface had really good anti-reflective coatings on it, dark green stuff. I could not remove the corrector as the telescope was on display. All attempts to clean with liquid cleaners resulted in residue. It was like the coatings were drying out the liquid out too fast. Well long story short... in the end a lens cleaning cloth was the only thing that resulted in a perfectly clean optical surface. Like carpet cleaner be sure to try a small area first to ensure there are no adverse results if the optics are big. Grit is the enemy, ensure it is banished or you can scratch coatings. Always wash mirrors under a water stream so dirt is washed away. Use gloves to avoid oil from your skin being a factor.
Thanks! Good to know about the mirrors - I have never cleaned mirrors before. That is very interesting about the SCT having a green film, at least the the lens cloth worked. - Cheers Kurt
"yellow table comes up on the screen with chemical formulas".
Me going: "that's Kurt being a chemestry teacher" flex :D
Ha Ha. Thanks for commenting...
Helpful video Kurt, great info on the different cleaning fluids.
Thanks Glenn. I was always interested in their 'secret' cleaning formulas. I had to clean my ASI1600 last year and read that ZWO recommends 70% ethanol. I contacted them with regard to using 70% isopropyl just to be on the safe side. - Cheers Kurt
Thank you Kurt! Something we all need to do, now and then.
Thanks for commenting David and yes we do! Cheers
Thanks Kurt! This is great information!
Thanks Steven.
I’m always nervous cleaning my optics and use a lot of technics you went through. I also suffer from what I think are tree sap stickies, which are stuck on the lens. I’ll certainly try your dissolve tip as they were a pain to get off. Thanks for putting together the video. Certainly helps me re-affirm I’m doing things correctly when I do have to clean (which isn’t that often)
Thanks. I certainly understand your concern - I am the same way. Just don't so much on the Q-Tip where a lot pools up along the seam and you should be fine. - Cheers
Thanks for intro to chemicals. Great process. I’d like to point out technique issues you probably over looked because of being caught up in making the video. Never insert foreign objects into bottles of cleaning agent, this case q-tip into isopropyl alcohol bottle, you’ve possibly contaminated the solution left in container.
Today, as one learns more techniques get updated, would you change your technique?
Cheers
Ah yes Mike, good point and that is rule one in chemistry. I did not realize I did that until you pointed it out. Cheers
@@AstroQuest1 i wouldn’t have said anything except I didn’t want hobbyist say “that’s what AstrQuest1 did”. I know chemist, and other scientists know better.
Can I use this method on my pair of Nikon Action Ex binocular ocular & objective lenses? I have Isopropyl Alcohol 99.9% concentration would that work too or it has to be 70% like yours?
Should work fine on the lenses. Avoid contact with mirrors and around the edges where there may be grease or adhesives. Might want to check with Nikon just to be sure. Good Luck
Thanks. Stopped me from using acetone. Looks like the Zeiss type product would eliminate need for solutions, pads, q tips etc. Any thoughts on the polymer solutions that you peel off?
Yeah the Zeiss is pretty good along with the microfiber cloth to wipe of any streaks. Definitely avoid acetone. I have not used the peel off polymers but they look interesting . Good luck
I have a Sky Watcher ED100, how did you get the dew shield off of the scope
Hey Tim, It took some time and wiggling but it did come off. You might want to check with SkyWatcher to see if it definitely comes off. Good Luck.
@@AstroQuest1 I tried, even picked up a couple strap wrenches, no joy, nothing would break the dew shield loose from the lens section, lens loosened up but never got the shield to budge
@@timmyers3428 Must not come off then, hard to believe they would design a scope that way...
Definitely a no on the acetone!!! Windex is a no no
Yeah, I was surprised I when read that!
Spider poop. Spiders are the WORST!
Spider poop! Never occurred to me but maybe that is what it was! - Cheers Dan
@@AstroQuest1 Insect,arachnid poop in general, not just or necessarily spiders. At night, if the temps warrant it, all sorts of flying insects and crawling ones are on the hunt. Sow bugs, centipedes, spiders, moths, mosquitoes, flies, earwigs (VERY big...they live everywhere as your freshly lit barbecue will soon reveal)...and they all poop about once every two or three minutes.
@@mesenteria Eeek! Ha Ha. All astro stuff has to be cleaned sooner or later...
Great tips Kurt! Thanks for sharing man! I think I'd choose ethanol but maybe a nicely aged ethanol lol
Ha Ha! My sentiments exactly! One for the scope one for me.