Rifle Scopes Cleaning optic lens

[burkeknives]

What is the best thing to clean the lens on my S&B scope with? I have used a LensPen on my Night force and Leupold, But I would like to be very safe with my S&B!

I tried the search first, didn't find info I needed.

Thanks

 

[BasraBoy]

Re: Cleaning optic lens

I always use specific photographic quality lens cleaner solution and lens tissues, cloths and brushes.

Never apply the solution directly to the scope but to the tissues first and then use a clean try tissue to dry/polish

Should be easily available from any good photographic shops or even opticians?

 

[burkeknives]

Re: Cleaning optic lens

Thanks!

 

[Unsichtbar]

Re: Cleaning optic lens

Same as Basra, professional grade lens tissue, technique is very important. I researched this by going to optics labs, pro camera men for Holywood and this is what they used Pancro lens cleaner, http://www.pancro.com/#/pro-lens-cleaner/4528031560

Its been dicussed here if you search, some very knowledgable optics people said they used acetone, but I want to play it safe.

 

[BasraBoy]

Re: Cleaning optic lens

As unsichbar says - I've seen mention of acetone (I think USO recommend it for their optics?).

I've never tried it as I'm not sure how other manufacturers coatings might react.

I've got S&B, Nightforce and USO scopes....as well as a couple of 70 year old Zeiss and a British No32 scope from 1944.

The photographic kit works well for all of them.

 

[burkeknives]

Re: Cleaning optic lens

I went and got a lens kit from the photo shop, works great.

I think I will stay away from the acetone.

Thanks for the info!

 

[DT1]

Re: Cleaning optic lens

My wife recently bought some of those Zeiss glass cleaning wipes from Wal Mart. The box says they're effective and safe for cleaning eye glasses, camera lenses, optical lenses etc.

Anyone know if they're safe for high end rifle and spotting scope lenses? I figured if they were made by Zeiss they probably were?

 

[schwim]

Re: Cleaning optic lens

The safest for photo lenses and even digital photo sensors, which are very sensitive, is "Pec Pads" and methanol, the latter available in commercial soltion. Methanol is a no-fly solution though, so no good for airline travel. For cleaning some lenses, you're playing with $10k-plus glass and most pros like the pec pads.

It's best to use a bulb to first blow off the glass to remove any loose dust to prevent pushing possible abrasives into the lens. Follow with a slightly dampened pad. The methanol dries instantly and requires no follow-up wiping which prevents additional risk of abrasion. This will leave zero streaking.

 

[jackal1]

Re: Cleaning optic lens

For cleaning my Zeiss 8x45 RF and my Zeiss scopes i run cold tap water from the sink in a slow flow.This to me is the best to remove dust sand or anything traped in any nicks and crannys did i spell that correctly? hahahah!!.Then i take a pure air spray with a nozzle and blow out any water droplets trapped in those places.Yu can find it at any office max.When dry i use a lens cloth that is provided from Zeiss.

Try it you be surprised how clean your binos and scopes will be

 

[jackal1]

Re: Cleaning optic lens

The thought of using any lens pens on my optics gives me the chills..

 

[BasraBoy]

Re: Cleaning optic lens

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: burkeknives</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I went and got a lens kit from the photo shop, works great.

I think I will stay away from the acetone.

Thanks for the info!</div></div>

You're welcome.

Great stuff! And easy to restock almost anywhere!

 

[Fx1]

Re: Cleaning optic lens

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jackal1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The thought of using any lens pens on my optics gives me the chills..</div></div>

Why? i have a lens pen that was cheap and it uses the smallest ammount of cleaning solution you cant even see it, a very soft felt type head that you move around the lens, i have never seen them so clean and shiny. you get a soft brush to remove the dust and bits before cleaning with the felt tip.

 

[DogboneS]

Re: Cleaning optic lens

+1 for Methanol.

As for wipes, I use KimWipes by Kimberly Clark, makers of Kleenex. The KimWipes are single layer lintless wipes. A quick google say that they are available at Kmart, but I've seen them come from Staples as well.

 

[Plange]

Re: Cleaning optic lens

Lens pens have a place in your kit, BUT please beware that if there is any type of hard foreign material on your lens you WILL grind that into the lens coating using a lens pen. That's why it is a must to make sure the lens is clean of any hard debris AND the lens pen surface itself hasn't picked up any debris.

I generally use them for fingerprints on already clean lenses and nothing else.

When using canned air be careful not to shake it or turn it upside down as some of the propellant can cause discoloration of the lens coating, I have not seen any issues where it has diminished light transmission but I have seen blotches that were left behind from the propellant.

FYI we use acetone and dry nitrogen and iso hexane(highly refined rubbing alcohol) to clean our lenses before we ship scopes out.

YMMV, as with anything always err on the side of safety and whatever makes you comfortable.

Hope this helps,

Paul