Optics cleaning cloths

[Jeremybj]

Gentlemen;

I am looking for cleaning cloths/lens pens/whatever for cleaning high end optics. My leupold spotter got pretty dusty during my last hunt and I want to clean it and all my other optics. I used a microfiber cloth that came with a redfield scope on my binos and it left light scratches in the lens, so I don't want a repeat of that.

Anything that you guys use and like would be great to know.

Thanks in advance,
Jeremy

 

[Trigger Monkey]

Lens Pens, I've used them on everything from S&B's to Bushnells and it has worked perfectly every time, no scratches, smudges, or streaks. Use the brush to gently brush away larger particles of dust and stuff, then use the felt pad to clean any smudges or water spots that might be on the lens.

 

[fireEMT5]

Lens pens as noted, or go to your local Sam's Club or Walmart and pick up a box of the Zeiss optics wipes. If they are good enough for Zeiss, they are good enough for my glass and glasses. They work well. Zeiss also makes a spray pump optics cleaning solution which works well.

 

[pmclaine]

I thought it interesting that the instructions for my Steiner binoculars recommended using a piece of an old, many times washed, 100% cotton t-shirt if you needed a cloth to clean the lenses.

Se Edit posted below.

 

[r2shooter]

I would agree w/others lens pens work & no scratches.

 

[threetrees]

Use the correct tools for the correct job. A piece of cloth (like those used for glasses, binos, etc) are good _but not suitable_ to remove larger sized dirt. Here, used a soft stream of water first to remove the large-grain dirt. A pen might also work ... But then you will not find any pens in an optics lab to clean mirrors/lenses etc. In the optics lab, we would first rinse our optics with aceton/methanol to remove the larger stuff, to then subsequently use tissues to remove the final remaining layer of grease/fat/whatever is left. Methanol will not leave any residue if applied correctly. Be very careful should you consider using aceton, as it tends to attack all kinds of rubber.

 

[Strykervet]

Certain microfiber t shirts work well. I have these Reebok microfiber shirts that are ten years old. Still holding up well. Anyway, they also are made of the exact same material I've gotten with lens cleaners before. You gotta use a clean one though, the fine material will hold small dust and dirt that will scratch the lens.

But I have to second the lens pen too. Got a few so I never have to be far from one. Always kept one in my cleaning kits too. They have a brush for the big dirt.

I'd be concerned about using acetone and benzene and such. Even soapy water. Mostly because of the rubber seals, but also because of the lens coatings. Some of the coatings are tough as shit, but some can't hold up to both soapy water and friction.

 

[PDXGS]

Use the correct tools for the correct job. A piece of cloth (like those used for glasses, binos, etc) are good _but not suitable_ to remove larger sized dirt. Here, used a soft stream of water first to remove the large-grain dirt. A pen might also work ... But then you will not find any pens in an optics lab to clean mirrors/lenses etc. In the optics lab, we would first rinse our optics with aceton/methanol to remove the larger stuff, to then subsequently use tissues to remove the final remaining layer of grease/fat/whatever is left. Methanol will not leave any residue if applied correctly. Be very careful should you consider using aceton, as it tends to attack all kinds of rubber.

This, In the field, I use a very clean lens pen...store it in a plastic back to keep the dust off. If I have to wipe a lens it's done with a new Harbor Freight microfiber cloth-also in a sandwich/plastic bag. Once I use a cloth it gets washed. It's amazing what a little bit of grit can do to anti reflective coatings. If there's mud or other stubborn debris on the lens I'll use a Zeiss lens wipe or water dripped onto the lens and then dragged to the edge with a microfiber cloth....never ever use pressure against the lens surface, just the weight of the wet cloth.

 

[pmclaine]

After posting my first I wanted to go in and ammend it but when I hit edit all I got was a spinning wheel.

What I would have added was that though the instructions didnt make it clear I assumed Steiner meant use of a cloth on a lens would occur after gross debris has been removed or only for removing "soft" blemishes.

The T shirt surprised me because of its low tech solution but I guess Steiner realizes that in field conditions the user may need to resort to less than ideal tools on hand.

 

[Jeremybj]

Is a brand of lens pen better than others? I see Cabelas has their "branded" version on their website. Any brand in particular?

 

[Cartman]

Lens pens as noted, or go to your local Sam's Club or Walmart and pick up a box of the Zeiss optics wipes. If they are good enough for Zeiss, they are good enough for my glass and glasses. They work well. Zeiss also makes a spray pump optics cleaning solution which works well.

I too use this combo. Only as necessary. For lint/dust I have a rocket blower: Amazon.com: Giottos Rocket-Air Blower AA1900 Large + Lenspen Lens Pen Cleaning System + Accessory Kit for Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax and Sony Digital SLR Cameras: GIOTTOS: Camera & Photo

I try to touch optics as little as possible in order to protect the coatings.

 

[Jeremybj]

how often are you guys replacing your lens pens? I like the idea of the kit, price seems right too.....

 

[Whiplash5198]

When talking about micro fiber cloth, would this be like the Oakley sunglasses bags???

 

[threetrees]

not sure about the states, but in austria you can basically go to any optician (optometrist?) and get those microfibre clothes to clean your glasses basically for free. they should be fine to remove fat/grease on your lens. For everything else, rinse with water. For more dirt, rinse/clean with soapy water to dissolve most of dirt.

The less mechanical force and contact you have with the surface, the better for the optics.

 

[Pinecone]

Step one- Air blower to remove the really big stuff.

Step two - Liquid rinse to remove the smaller stuff.

Step three - THEN something to wipe with, such a microfiber.

 

[Whiplash5198]

At Walmart (optic/vision store) today and did find the Zeiss optic wipes for cheap. And right above those were the micro fiber cloths in an upside down storage bag. Seemed to be the same thing/type that Nightforce adds with their scopes (or at least my friends NF) And they were under $5....AND even in multicam. Did forget to grab a lens pen...aaggghh

 

[Cuda-dude]

Great info. Thanks