I have got some pretty dirty glass after shooting this weekend, there is caked on sand on the lenses and I want to get it off, is there a trick?
Rifle Scopes Cleaning sand off glass
- Thread starter BECKS7
- Start date
Re: Cleaning sane off glass
My vote would be to immerse it in water, and let gravity do the majority of the work. Simply by immersing it and letting if 'fall off' you wouldn't run risks of scratching anything.
My vote would be to immerse it in water, and let gravity do the majority of the work. Simply by immersing it and letting if 'fall off' you wouldn't run risks of scratching anything.
Re: Cleaning sane off glass
If you can get your hands on some distilled water (no minerals) you can lightly flush the lenses with that. Then, take some 4x4 gauze and lightly dry the lenses. That will take care of your scope. After the scope is done, cover the lenses and hose the rest of the rifle off.
Remember, normal tap water has minerals in it and when either letting it air dry or trying to wipe it off, you take the chance of those minerals making light scratches in the coatings (the most important part) of the lens.
If you can get your hands on some distilled water (no minerals) you can lightly flush the lenses with that. Then, take some 4x4 gauze and lightly dry the lenses. That will take care of your scope. After the scope is done, cover the lenses and hose the rest of the rifle off.
Remember, normal tap water has minerals in it and when either letting it air dry or trying to wipe it off, you take the chance of those minerals making light scratches in the coatings (the most important part) of the lens.
Re: Cleaning sane off glass
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http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showthreaded&Number=1298399
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http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showthreaded&Number=1298399
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Re: Cleaning sane off glass
US optics says water does more damge then good to lens coatings.Filtered acatone is the preffered method.
http://usoptics.com/index.php?page=instructions
US optics says water does more damge then good to lens coatings.Filtered acatone is the preffered method.
http://usoptics.com/index.php?page=instructions
Re: Cleaning sane off glass
USO is talking about regular water. I think Leica knows more than USO.
USO is talking about regular water. I think Leica knows more than USO.
Re: Cleaning sane off glass
Leica does know their stuff!
I would check with the manufacturer before using solvents of any kind. There's more than just the lens coatings at risk. Imagine using the wrong solvent and not only trashing your coatings, but melting sealant into a solution that you now have all over your lens.
I'd only use acetone on my USO's because if something adverse were to happen I know John and Co would have my back. Try telling NF that you used acetone because USO recommends it and see how that pans out for you.....
With unknown variables use the safest with the least costly potential consequences first. In this case, distilled HOH wins!
Leica does know their stuff!
I would check with the manufacturer before using solvents of any kind. There's more than just the lens coatings at risk. Imagine using the wrong solvent and not only trashing your coatings, but melting sealant into a solution that you now have all over your lens.
I'd only use acetone on my USO's because if something adverse were to happen I know John and Co would have my back. Try telling NF that you used acetone because USO recommends it and see how that pans out for you.....
With unknown variables use the safest with the least costly potential consequences first. In this case, distilled HOH wins!
Re: Cleaning sane off glass
I think Sean has "nailed" it. The scope is waterproof. Supposedly. Once the sand has fallen off, then throw that water out and run some clean water with a couple of drops of detergent in it and swish it around some more. Then rinse with running water and then some of the distilled. I'd then use an acetone dampened, clean cotton ball and gently clean any grease off. By the way, the little "chip" bristle brushes sold at paint shops are a nice preliminary dusting brush before routine cleaning...not for sand! JMHO
I think Sean has "nailed" it. The scope is waterproof. Supposedly. Once the sand has fallen off, then throw that water out and run some clean water with a couple of drops of detergent in it and swish it around some more. Then rinse with running water and then some of the distilled. I'd then use an acetone dampened, clean cotton ball and gently clean any grease off. By the way, the little "chip" bristle brushes sold at paint shops are a nice preliminary dusting brush before routine cleaning...not for sand! JMHO
Re: Cleaning sane off glass
I always spray the can into the air first a little and, while still holding it at least at a 45 deg. angle upwards, hit the lens with it. That also avoids spotting the lens you're trying to clean.
FWIW, I tried acetone and didn't care for it. The Zeiss cleaning fluid has worked the best for me across all my optics and it doesn't require ventilation.
I always spray the can into the air first a little and, while still holding it at least at a 45 deg. angle upwards, hit the lens with it. That also avoids spotting the lens you're trying to clean.
FWIW, I tried acetone and didn't care for it. The Zeiss cleaning fluid has worked the best for me across all my optics and it doesn't require ventilation.
Re: Cleaning sane off glass
Buy one of these: http://www.visibledust.com/products3.php?pid=444
Expensive, but for high end optics, probably worth it. The liquid that comes out of the canned compressed air cans supposedly can damage coatings. I haven't heard of compressed air actually cracking a lens. You can use a lens brush, but in the process, you are dragging a highly abrasive particle across the lens. It might scratch it might not. Even the Zeeion has the potential to leave a scratch with sand, but it has the lowest probability of any solution out there.
Buy one of these: http://www.visibledust.com/products3.php?pid=444
Expensive, but for high end optics, probably worth it. The liquid that comes out of the canned compressed air cans supposedly can damage coatings. I haven't heard of compressed air actually cracking a lens. You can use a lens brush, but in the process, you are dragging a highly abrasive particle across the lens. It might scratch it might not. Even the Zeeion has the potential to leave a scratch with sand, but it has the lowest probability of any solution out there.
Re: Cleaning sane off glass
I can't imagine how immersing the ocular or the objective lens in clean water would damage the scope. If the manufacturer recommends against this I would look at other scope brands to invest in. After you remove most of the junk with water then perhaps this device http://www.visibledust.com/products3.php?pid=444 would finish the job the best. Or you could try gently using a can of compressed air. If a can of compressed air will somehow damage the scope lens then maybe you should consider investing a little more money in a brand that won't fail this way.
I can't imagine how immersing the ocular or the objective lens in clean water would damage the scope. If the manufacturer recommends against this I would look at other scope brands to invest in. After you remove most of the junk with water then perhaps this device http://www.visibledust.com/products3.php?pid=444 would finish the job the best. Or you could try gently using a can of compressed air. If a can of compressed air will somehow damage the scope lens then maybe you should consider investing a little more money in a brand that won't fail this way.
Re: Cleaning sane off glass
one thing i hear about canned or any compressed air when working with cameras was that air could drive dust further inward. it might not be the same with scopes, but it might be worth considering. plus blowing causes moisture from your breath. i use a lens pen, the brush side, then i blow it clean with compressed air.
one thing i hear about canned or any compressed air when working with cameras was that air could drive dust further inward. it might not be the same with scopes, but it might be worth considering. plus blowing causes moisture from your breath. i use a lens pen, the brush side, then i blow it clean with compressed air.
