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lens cleaning

Equipment Refractors Cleaning
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Uwe Deutermann avatar
Uwe Deutermann avatar
Hi Everybody!

Does anybody have a suggestion on how to clean lenses of a refractor without leaving permanent damage? I scoped a lot last year and see that the front lens collected a bunch of pollen (and it is sticky!), and I definitely would like to get rid of those spots.

Uwe
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Rob Johnson avatar
Rob Johnson avatar
Hi Uwe,

I've only cleaned small apertures but find that a tiny amount of soft soap - handwash type - in deionised water works well.
Use very soft disposable tissues (the type without impregnated additives) and gently wipe the lens. Repeat several times until you remove the dirt then finish with some plain water and dry. Its hard to remove the final streaks but can be done.

Hope this helps,
Rob
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Keith F avatar
Keith F avatar
Hello Uwe,

This comes straight from Astro-Physics and the only way I would ever clean a lens in need.

http://www.astro-physics.com/tech_support/refractors/Lens_Cleaning_formula.pdf

CS,
Keith