Rifle Scopes Cleaning scope lens?

[pazzo]

What is the preferred method for cleaning the lens of my NF?

I was putting on the factory bikini cover and pushed a little bit too hard and my finger pushed the rubber part onto the lens, leaving a nasty oil(?) mark (from the rubber).

I tried cleaning it with a micro fiber lens cleaning cloth and a mist of water, but it just smeared the oils around the lens. Kind of like when you clean greasy fingers off glass - it may look clean, but when a certain light angle hits it you can see the grease

 

[mike1128]

Re: Cleaning scope lens?

Try buying some Zeiss cleaning cloths at your local walmart...look up by the optical center. They are sold in a pack of 50 for 2 or 3 bucks. Dont rub the lenses with a lot of force.

 

[hunter223]

Re: Cleaning scope lens?

any of the good lens pens should do ya well.

 

[Ol Rob]

Re: Cleaning scope lens?

acetone on Q=tip, as per USO video.

 

[Hink]

Re: Cleaning scope lens?

I would defer to the recommended cleaning method and supplies defined by the manufacturer. Just because acetone is good to go for a USO doesn't mean it's kosher for all glass.

 

[SturmHead]

Re: Cleaning scope lens?

Same question different scope. I was practicing some drills and hit the eyepiece of my ACOG with my nose (no boogers), any suggestions to remove the oil?

 

[kokako]

Re: Cleaning scope lens?

Lenspen will remove the smudge

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[HuDisCo]

Re: Cleaning scope lens?

Fog from your breath is all you need most of the time. Lens pens are great, but you have to be careful. Sometimes they can pick up contaminates and scratch lens surfaces.

Dust the lens using a clean lens brush and wipe it with a lens cloth. Use your breath to fog the lens if needed. Be careful not to spit.

 

[Buzzsaw]

Re: Cleaning scope lens?

I have used the lens pen for years but until I saw the video above, I've never known about the carbon or twisting the cap to re-charge. I have scope caps on all my scopes and it never fails, I get something on them especially when cleaning. Lens Pen has always worked. The Ziess tissues just seem to streak and will scratch fine optics. They are for selling, not using on fine optics, might as well use them to get the BBQ sauce off your fingers. In my opinion of course.

 

[pazzo]

Re: Cleaning scope lens?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Buzzsaw</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have used the lens pen for years...I've never known about the carbon or twisting the cap to re-charge. </div></div>

So how did you use it if you didn't know about the carbon? Did you just use the brush end??

 

[JoeRe]

Re: Cleaning scope lens?

Also used them for years and never knew about recharging the thing! Worked well for removing smudges anyway. Jeeez!

 

[Mike]

Re: Cleaning scope 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 in a dabbing motion. 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.

 

[bohem]

Re: Cleaning scope lens?

NEVER EVER rub anything in a round pattern on the lens, even a cleaning wipe.

Always dab first, then lightly wipe in a linear motion. A small linear scratch (worst case) is not going to create a halo in the viewing picture.

Circular wipes are the quickest way to turn that expensive lens (camera, riflescope, bino's, doesn't matter) into an extremely expensive paperweight.

The other thing to be careful of with alcohol or acetone on a q-tip is to make sure you don't have too much on there that you get drops on the lens. The surface tension of alcohol and acetone are much lower than water and can actually run into the seals of the lens tube and then collect and evaporate on interior surfaces. When they run down the tube it can pick up trace oils in the lens and then leave residue on impossible to clean interior surfaces. Now it's back to the factory for rework/repair fixes.

Other than that, the advice is very good.

(Can you tell I spend too much time with camera lenses?)

 

[chadg]

Re: Cleaning scope lens?

TAG!

 

[Shooter McGavin]

Re: Cleaning scope lens?

I have a Nightforce cleaning kit. It comes with a brush, cleaning cloth, and anti-fog liquid. I cleaned my scope and still have lint on my lens, leftover from the NF cloth. Is there any way to get it off? I tried canned air and it didn't work.

Jamie

 

[Chiller]

Re: Cleaning scope lens?

wow....blast from the past.....??

I like chasing water spots......

 

[Rich Coyle]

Re: Cleaning scope lens?

Did you try microfiber cloth?