Cleaning Expensive Optics

Billy NY · Feb 4, 2015

I was wondering how and what is best suited to clean the lenses on an expensive pair of binoculars, particularly Vortex Viper Binoculars. Sure I have the instructions that came with it, really does not mention more than the obvious, like anything abrasive, ie; paper towels or similar. I realize there can be coatings and these are polished etc. There is a small cloth that came with them, and I assume if I follow what they say, it should be fine, but I assume someone here probably knows a lot more about these than I.

How to you clean your fine or expensive optics and what to you use? What do you NOT use LOL !

What is the deal with those alcohol lense papers in foil packs, what are these typically for?

I have a couple of silk like lense clothes that I used for stone ground glass sunglasses and my not so expensive rifle scope, but I do not want to screw up these bino's, buy they are sharp, a real treat to have a pair of these when hunting or just observing from from any viewing area where you can see miles in the distance.

markiz41 · Feb 4, 2015

Industry standard is a 60/40 mix of acetone and methanol. Use a cotton swab to paint some on the lens, then wipe clean with that special cloth. That will degrease it. If you want to just knock off some loose specks, blow some nitrogen on it or clean air at low pressure. Don't sweat it too much - good quality AR coatings are very durable and get tested for abrasion and even if you do get a smudge while using it, it won't really show up in the focal plane. At worst you lose a little bit of resolution..

MarkB_MI · Feb 4, 2015

The main problem is with coated optics. The coating can be easily damaged. I've always used lens tissue (carried by camera stores, if they still exist) and distilled water. If the lens is real dusty, you can brush out the dust with a lens brush. Then wad a lens tissue into a ball and wet it with a bit of water. Then very gently wipe the surface of the lens with the wet tissue. Repeat with a dry tissue.

Ozarker · Feb 4, 2015

During eleven years in the photo processing industry I cleaned a lot of lenses. The best lens cleaner I found is called R-O-R, sold in camera stores. It is a bit pricey, around $9 for a one ounce bottle. To clean a lens, first blow it off with clean compressed air. Wad up a sheet of lens paper and moisten it with the lens cleaner fluid. Wipe the lens in a circular motion using very little pressure. Use a dry tissue to remove the cleaner. Don't put the liquid cleaner directly on the lens. Applying it using the tissue will let you control where it goes.

In a pinch a coffee filter will substitute for lens tissue. Get one from the middle of the stack, it should be lint free.

big fred · Feb 4, 2015

For my telescopes, it's a lint free cotton cloth and distilled water, if anything. Usually it's just blow it off with come canned compressed air.

jeffcat · Feb 4, 2015

Here is a good one. On my reading glasses and even my camera lesses I use straight grain 190 proof. It has worked great and no damage. This is what I have seen in camera repair shops too. NOW THIS IS MY STUFF. If you want to try it just take care. A tiny sample patch at a time. Try cleaning the rear view mirror in you transportation what ever. It is so clean it becomes almost a remote magic viewer of some kind.

old bc · Feb 4, 2015

This is what I use.
Kimtech Science Kimwipes 1-Ply Delicate Task Wipes
Ultra Clarity Lens Cleaner, 6oz. Value Pack

I get them online at Filmtools dot com.
I also use these to clean my glasses.

Billy NY · Feb 5, 2015

Interesting, I believe the instruction sheet says to use compressed air, like from a can, low pressure, or an optical brush for particulates. The lens cloth follows for smudges etc. I have been real careful with these, but the dust comes of your coat and gets onto the eye piece side, the front stayed perfect a long while, just noticed a smudge though. They have a life time warranty that is really something, and I'd recommend these to anyone who needs clear vision at a distance, really something, just want to make sure I take good care of em !

As always, thanks, much appreciated !

Cleaning Expensive Optics

Billy NY

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markiz41

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MarkB_MI

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Ozarker

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big fred

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jeffcat

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old bc

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Billy NY

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