No-touch scope lens cleaning?
- Thread starter Tommie
- Start date
Rick in Oregon
Gold $$ Contributor
The canned air for cleaning electronics is about the only non-touch method I'm aware of, but dirty lens can really only be cleaned by some form of 'touching'.
But I hear ya in reference to actually touching any of my scope lens
. In the field I use the Leupold Lens Pen that has a fine hair brush and an optic felt pad impregnated with lens cleaner once the lens have been cleared of debris. But like you, I'm open to any/all alternatives.
Rifle cleaning is where solvent aerosol spray can contaminate the objective lens when the brush exits the barrel. Quality lens caps are a must, and a method to catch patches/spray is a good idea also. We all use the now discontinued Muzzle Mate, but soda bottles work too to keep those lens clean and keep dirty patches contained for later disposal.
Looking forward to other suggestions from the members here.
But I hear ya in reference to actually touching any of my scope lens
. In the field I use the Leupold Lens Pen that has a fine hair brush and an optic felt pad impregnated with lens cleaner once the lens have been cleared of debris. But like you, I'm open to any/all alternatives.Rifle cleaning is where solvent aerosol spray can contaminate the objective lens when the brush exits the barrel. Quality lens caps are a must, and a method to catch patches/spray is a good idea also. We all use the now discontinued Muzzle Mate, but soda bottles work too to keep those lens clean and keep dirty patches contained for later disposal.
Looking forward to other suggestions from the members here.
nakneker
Gold $$ Contributor
Good info above from Rick. I do the same. The compressed air is good for dust but for anything truly stuck on the lens it won’t due much, fingerprints, any kind of cleaning liquids, or whatever require touch. I always keep a couple clean fiber optic tags in my bags or binos if out in the field. The lens pins work great on the edges too.
I keep my scope lens protected when not in use. Preventive precautions are the best way to keep lens clean imo. I use cheap neoprene covers for most optics, I have Gucci lens covers for some but the neoprene covers work great and aren’t t a lot of money.
I keep my scope lens protected when not in use. Preventive precautions are the best way to keep lens clean imo. I use cheap neoprene covers for most optics, I have Gucci lens covers for some but the neoprene covers work great and aren’t t a lot of money.
The reason I posted this question is due to a Leupold scope I trashed using one of those lens pens. A tiny piece of grit escaped the brush and then scratched the lens when I used the felt pad end. That was maybe 30 years ago. I haven’t cleaned a scope lens ever since!
Krogen
Gold $$ Contributor
I clean my scopes like I do my camera lenses. First, blow the dust off with a squeeze bulb duster. You can get them from B&H Photo. Always get the loose dirt and grit off before you touch the lens. Then dampen a clean, soft cotton cloth with Isopropyl alcohol. Cleaning patches are great for this as long as they're cotton. Gently rub in circles, always keeping a clean part of the patch in use.
If you're good about keeping cleaning solutions off the lenses and using lens covers, usually the bulb duster is all you need. Get out in the weather, get gun oil or solvent on the lens and you have to get more aggressive.
Photographers have been down this path and in my opinion are better at lens cleaning than shooters.
Take your pick. More $$ is not necessarily better:
If you're good about keeping cleaning solutions off the lenses and using lens covers, usually the bulb duster is all you need. Get out in the weather, get gun oil or solvent on the lens and you have to get more aggressive.
Photographers have been down this path and in my opinion are better at lens cleaning than shooters.
Take your pick. More $$ is not necessarily better:
Years back photography was a hobby. First of all good coatings are tough enough to be cleaned if you do it carefully. First step use a squeeze bulb to blow off the loose stuff, then a very soft camel hair brush to sweep off what will come off that way, but no pressure , then fold over roll and tear several sheets of lens tissue so that the tear will leave you with soft fibers on the end of the torn roll. Apply some lens cleaner and then gently work over the surface until clean and then dry with the same tool. If you have greasy finger prints the lens cleaner will not get it done and you may have to resort to isopropyl alcohol, check with your manufacturer first, but in most cases I think that you will find that it is OK. Avoid using a dry cloth of any kind on a dry lens unless both are totally clean and you are gently drying. Grit will scratch with pressure.
This will make people cringe. Nightforce SHV on top of hunting rifle in a 4wd buggy driven through thick wet black soil. Could not even see through the lenses and had to point shoot a pig.
Took the scope off the rifle and went to work with a spray bottle of water. Just kept spraying and then rinsing with water from a bottle. When I got most of it off I let it dry and then brushed it with a clean shaving brush before I used lens cleaning cloth and alcohol - gently. Took forever. Managed to get it cleaned up without a single scratch on the lenses.
Cleaning the rifle was also an adventure. Let alone the buggy.
Took the scope off the rifle and went to work with a spray bottle of water. Just kept spraying and then rinsing with water from a bottle. When I got most of it off I let it dry and then brushed it with a clean shaving brush before I used lens cleaning cloth and alcohol - gently. Took forever. Managed to get it cleaned up without a single scratch on the lenses.
Cleaning the rifle was also an adventure. Let alone the buggy.
Same way I would clean my eyeglasses.
You’re going to have to clean the lenses someday. So, don’t fret it. Besides if you really screw it up it is replaceable.
I too use the Leupold lens brushes but have never used the felt abrasive pad end, and -- after reading your post -- never will. If I need to rub lenses with anything more aggressive than a lens brush, I use a (freshly washed) microfiber cloth dampened with some 91% iso alcohol.
I'd try that in reverse order. Spray alcohol on the lens and blow it off with the canned air.
FWIW, some sources say you shouldn't spray alcohol directly onto the lens ... but rather, spray the cloth, then use the dampened cloth ... not sure why but that's what I've read.
Last edited:
powderbrake
Gold $$ Contributor
blow off with lens puffer.
Take two Q-Tips, put Isopropyl alcohol ( 70 % or 90%, they both have water in them) on the tips, rub in small circular motion. Repeat as required.
Take two Q-Tips, put Isopropyl alcohol ( 70 % or 90%, they both have water in them) on the tips, rub in small circular motion. Repeat as required.
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