Cleaning scope lens?

[BoydAllen]

Photographers have to deal with the same issue as scope users. If you do as the fellow in this video demonstrates I think that you should be fine.

 

[LCazador]

Scope glass presents a slightly different challenge, since the presence of gun cleaning solvents and oil exists. So I approach them with caution. I frequently will purchase used scopes in good condition, since there is excellent cost savings. In general, I follow the cleaning guidelines for cleaning camera lenses. The most thorough I have found:

https://www.borrowlenses.com/blog/how-to-clean-a-camera-lens/

That said, I add the following rules when cleaning scope glass:
1. I assume if there are dots present, that could be something that can contaminate whatever I use to remove it. So reusing a microfiber towel, lens brush, lens pen etc is avoided.
2. I use a hurricane blower to remove the loose dust. If the lens doesn't show any dots, I will use a quality lens brush, then blow again.
3. The only lens cleaning solution I have found that will clean the lens, and not leave a residue mark behind is ROR (residual oil remover). I use the spray bottle, and lightly "mist" a cotton ball. Make sure the cotton balls are 100% cotton. Then I follow it with 2 additional cotton balls in sequence to remove the ROR before it dries. Avoid touching the surface of the ball that will contact the lens, as skin oil can transfer. I tried about every other lens cleaning solutions recommended before I found ROR.

Caution: it is covered in article I provided the link to, but never apply your lens cleaning solution directly to the scope glass!

I have cleaned up some pretty grungy scope glass, but luckily nobody used the shirt tail method to clean them (and wound up scratching them).

The presence of gun cleaning solvents and oils exists?? Why would you ever clean your bore or gun without lens covers on your scope first?

 

[shoobe01]

Oil gets on everything. Self-loaders especially can spray it about in some cases, so it's easy to get oil spots on the lenses.

Of course, you might get anything on your camera (or you mobile phone screen/lens, etc. etc) as well, depending on what sort of work you do, and where you use it. So... not that unique.

 

[LCazador]

The number one thing to do when cleaning any lenses including your eyeglasses is to remove any particulates from the lens. This can be done with air, water, or alcohol. However I've seen where alcohol removed a lens coating or at least that's what that manufacturer said. I prefer air over anything else. A good cleaner like Zeiss lens cleaner will remove finger prints, sweat, etc. But when you use that lens cleaner put it on a q-tip or a clean cloth. If you're going to reuse that cloth again keep it in an air tight plastic bag so it's free of dust and particulates the next time you use.

 

[LCazador]

Oil gets on everything. Self-loaders especially can spray it about in some cases, so it's easy to get oil spots on the lenses.

Of course, you might get anything on your camera (or you mobile phone screen/lens, etc. etc) as well, depending on what sort of work you do, and where you use it. So... not that unique.

Yeah I know a guy with a gun like that, LOL! Every time he shoots it's like it's raining solvent and oil, LOL!! It's quite unique!

 

[jepp2]

Why would you ever clean your bore or gun without lens covers on your scope first?

I don't, but the previous owners must have.

Soooo, I guess nobody uses their shirt-tail any more?? jd

Pretty that was the MO of the person that owns these.

 

[jds holler]

I don't, but the previous owners must have.



Pretty that was the MO of the person that owns these.
View attachment 1156637

I developed the habit years ago of keeping a cheap azzed pair of binocs on the floor -- or somewhere in my truck, jeep, or whatever rig I drive. They wind up looking like the pair shown, and ironically get more use than the good pair that I don't have with me. jd

 

[Raythemanroe]

I have a lenspen, yet to scratch glass with it yet. You probably know how to use it, brush first, clean with lens cup. I have cheap Zenni optical eye glasses for around the house made of plastic like most nowadays. I use Walmart glasses cleaner and a clean cotton T-shirt and they appear as clear as new. They have coatings that still work and haven't been rubbed off. Eye glasses get cleaned almost daily.. I feel you folks are putting to much into this. Just make sure you don't rub anything if it or the lens is dirty.

Ray

 

[LCazador]

I don't, but the previous owners must have.



Pretty that was the MO of the person that owns these.
View attachment 1156637

Wow that's the worst case of damaged lenses I've ever seen. Did the manufacturer cover that damage?

 

[jepp2]

Did the manufacturer cover that damage?

I hope not! They aren't mine, but I thought it was an excellent example of how the coatings can be damaged. I also thought the amount of grit/debris in the eye-cup was telling.

Where I hunt prairie dogs, the soil is sandy with a very fine grit to it. And we all know how the wind can blow in the west. So when I finish my hunt for the day, I take the hurricane blower and blow off the loose dust on my optics (scopes used and binos). And while that doesn't remove it all, I wait until I get home where I can give them the proper cleaning.

When I buy a used scope, I only am concerned with ring marks on how they will affect my ability to resell the scope. But it is always a bit of an unknown if someone improperly cleaned the glass. What I usually find, is they never touched them. And that would be my preference.

 

[Lesloan]

Photographers have to deal with the same issue as scope users. If you do as the fellow in this video demonstrates I think that you should be fine.

Looks good, but I can't figure out how to spin my scopes like that.

 

[golong]

Looks good, but I can't figure out how to spin my scopes like that.

Also seems a bit excessive for a rifle scope. Photo lenses need to be spotless because of what you see in the photo, not necessarily what you see while taking the photo. No way I am putting that much effort into keeping a scope clean - would feel like I could never take it out of the house.

 

[BoydAllen]

Also seems a bit excessive for a rifle scope. Photo lenses need to be spotless because of what you see in the photo, not necessarily what you see while taking the photo. No way I am putting that much effort into keeping a scope clean - would feel like I could never take it out of the house.

Even if you do not do the whole routine that he did, I think that there are a couple of worthwhile tips in the video. One would be to be sure to use cotton Q tips (instead of synthetic) and the other not using them sopping wet, so as not to leak alcohol or water into your scope. Unless I have a fingerprint on a lens, I usually just blow off with a rubber bulb. and brush lightly. That usually gets the job done well enough for storage dust.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Top rack of the dishwasher, right next to the bolt.

 

[T-shooter]

I blow mine off with canned air then hit them with a lens wipe. Have not damaged one yet. May be skill, may be luck.

I have the camera kit type stuff you are referring to. I don't use them on scopes because of all the dirt that gets stuck in the threads. I simply don't see how a brush or puff blower will get all of that out of there.

Some canned air has a propellant that will leave a residue on the surface.

 

[T-shooter]

Clean them like you do a camera lens. Blow the dirt off first before touching the lense with anything. I use a rocket blower. Then lightly wipe with a fine clean brush and re-blow. The best product I've found to get rid of any grease or oil film is ROR. Apply with a fine microfiber cloth and dry with a dry section. It removes any film leaving the lens spotless. Never use a paper product or touch the lens with anything that isn't 100% clean. Quality lens pens work well if they are kept clean and not contaminated.

 

[Mr.Knowit all]

I'll be following this thread myself. I hate cleaning scope lenses 'cuz I don't want to damage the coating. The only thing I use the "pen" for is the brush, to get any loose dust off. Then I use a lens cleaning spray and a soft microsoft cloth to finish up. But I'm still not comfortable doing it, so tend to let my lenses get kinda dusty between cleanings.

But that's kinda a catch 22 right? They dirtier the lenses get the more damage can be done while cleaning it, right? I hate cleaning mine as well. I blow out the lenses then use a micro cloth with spray to clean like you do.

 

[xring]

Lots of useful Information in previous Posts . I have never damaged any Coated Lenses ( visual inspection ) using 70% Isoproply Alcohol . I might have damaged ( no scratches but slight color change ) one Lens many years ago using 91% and switched back to 70% . I always wear Nitrile Gloves so as not to transfer any hand oils to my wiping cloth , Qtips , etc . Many years ago I ran a Clean Room and had access to all sorts of Chemicals , Ultra-pure Water , and Clean Cloths . Not apples-to-apples but I sometimes cleaned large Lenses ( costing six figures ) with Pure Ethanol .... but I knew exactly what Coatings I was dealing with . You can bet I was pretty nervous while cleaning those . When I found an Optical Cloth I liked , I purchased a Lifetime Supply for my home use . Feels like Linen and it is not super liquid absorbant , but it does the job for my Scopes . I'm guessing the Company [ Fisher (sp?) Scientific ] that sold this Cloth is long defunct , but if I were looking today I would Google Optical Cloth . My Lenses are never very dirty , but I have done a ton of Scopes for friends . They seem to be pretty surprised at what they can see after cleaning .

 

[shoobe01]

Fischer Scientific is still around. Any of these?
https://www.fishersci.com/us/en/products/I9C8L2E3/lens-cleaning-products.html

 

[xring]

Shoobe , I purchased my Optical Cloth about 30 years ago and can't recommend something I have not tried . The Bel-Art Tissues look similar and are pretty expensive , but my Cloth came on a very large ( thick) roll . The Bel-Art Specs. say it can be used on Plastic Lenses which is encouraging . I Googled Optical Cleaning Cloths and there are a ton of products . I would add that I did try Kleenex ( and Isopropyl) years ago on some cheap Lenses without any apparent damage . However , Kleenex changed their product a few years ago and they felt rougher and much less liquid absorbant . I cleaned a Leupold VX-3 not long ago and used Scotties 2-ply Tissues without any visual damage under really bright lights . The Scotties feel softer and are more liquid absorbant than the Kleenex . For future use , I will stick to my old Optical Cloth . I keep it stored in its original plastic baggy , and unfortunately their are no ID Marks on the baggy .