Looking for some input on this NF ATACR. Cleaned per manual and keep seeing these white specs on the lens that will not wipe off. Any optic savvy people know what I am looking at? Depending on the angle this seems to be all over the objective lens.
Rifle Scopes Removing Stubborn Spots from Objective
- Thread starter elmuzzlebreak
- Start date
Ok, you say that you've cleaned per the manual but what have you used to clean the lens? Specifically any solutions and what materials on the lens?
I used the cleaning solution from the Nightforce cleaning kit (https://www.brownells.com/optics-mo...essional-optical-cleaning-kit-prod114086.aspx) and the spudz microfiber cloth.
Hmmm, I use the same stuff. What could've gotten on the lens? carbon and oil blow back?
The only thing I can think to do is get some new clean acetone and some q-tips and go at it with that. The acetone isn't going to damage the lens coatings, it's used industry wide for lens cleaning so you'll be ok. Dip the q-tip in the acetone, shake out any excess and then use slight pressure with circular motions starting at the center of the lens going out. Once the q-tip leaves the lens, use a fresh one, never double dip.
The only thing I can think to do is get some new clean acetone and some q-tips and go at it with that. The acetone isn't going to damage the lens coatings, it's used industry wide for lens cleaning so you'll be ok. Dip the q-tip in the acetone, shake out any excess and then use slight pressure with circular motions starting at the center of the lens going out. Once the q-tip leaves the lens, use a fresh one, never double dip.
That's what I was thinking. I know the only time the scope got super wet was during a downpour. I did have some water get on my lens and then condense but that was blown off with a pocket blower and dabbed with a microfiber.
Do you go back over the lens with a clean dry q tip after the acetone one?
You can if you want but you don't have to
Sounds good I'll give it a shot. I also sent an email to NF so I will see what they say.
He's already been to the cleaning solution stage.
Thanks Tono. That method is pretty much what I did but with the NF cleaning kit solutions and cloth.
I'd stay away from acetone unless you are SUPER careful not to get it on any of the seals around the lens and understand the risks. It doesn't play nice with most plastics and rubbers.
Edit: Since I've never used acetone on lenses, I can't speak to whether it is safe for any lens coatings.
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I've used aetone to clean scope lenses and it has been used in the optics industry for ages to clean scope lenses. US Optics, Premier Reticles, and a host of others used acetone to clean glass. It's not like acetone is an acid that's going to melt the lens. You don't want it to puddle and collect sure, that's why you shake the q tip to get rid of excess. Once you get rid of the excess, the chances of any acetone making it to any seal before it evaporates is slim to none.
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I’ve been told by vortex, Uso, and Schmidt that they too use acetone to clean lenses if they are super dirty. My only hold up right now is can I just got to my local ace to get some acetone there or is there some kind of lab grade acetone I should use.
Normal acetone will be fine
Somewhat important question: do you actually notice the specs when looking through the scope? If it doesn't actually have a visual effect, just leave it alone.
As a photographer, shining a light into your lens is the worst thing possible: you see every god damn spec and want it gone even if it isn't causing any issues.
As a photographer, shining a light into your lens is the worst thing possible: you see every god damn spec and want it gone even if it isn't causing any issues.
Nope I don't notice them when looking through the optics. This cleaning was motivated by the scope getting rained on one match and then being put through a port hole with a spider web (eggs included) in another match. I think I do recall seeing the same thing under my old Schmidt and Bender but my main concern is if this is some misting from oil or carbon off my my muzzle brake.
I'm also in the camp that obsessing over objective lens crud can cause more harm than good. Within reason of course. I've had expensive Nikon camera lenses with objective scratches that looked alarming but didn't seem to translate to imperfections in actual photographs. Now a scratch on the body end of the lens is a whole different story.
I hate and I mean HATE cleaning my scope lenses but after getting rained on and then at another match getting a spider web with baby spiders all over it a cleaning was called for.
Scope is on the way back to Nightforce.
No updates yet other than my optic was received. Last I heard NF is looking at 6 weeks.
You don’t miss a lens cleaning convo.
I spent some time in the optics industry and the topic comes up from time to time so I like to contribute where I can.
Manufacturing?
Something got splattered on the lens and they removed it with MEK. Process was kind of long but once it got moving it finally was resolved pretty quickly. Never found out what it was but needless to say I now double up coverage on my scopes when cleaning my rifles.
Perhaps I missed it, but did you try acetone before sending it back to NF?
Just curious as MEK and acetone can often be interchanged as a solvent.
Yeah no idea why acetone didn't work but I did try acetone before sending it back per the rep's recommendation
MEK, huh? I gotta file that one away for really stubborn stuff. Thanks!
yep a "skosh" harder than acetone.
hahahhahaha oh lord I used it to lap rings once (jk) grind baby grind
I laughed for five minutes when I saw that. I have a buddy that would reply like that and make sure you believed him. As soon as you tried it and it failed he'd ask if you were an idiot.
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