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Scope cleaning

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koshkin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/27/2012 at 10:25
Originally posted by rustic rustic wrote:

Originally posted by SVT_Tactical SVT_Tactical wrote:

Originally posted by rustic rustic wrote:

I just think it is funny, myself included how "brand" loyalty trumps common sense sometimes seeing a certain "brand" name means all of their products just HAVE to be good.
None the less... Leupold C/S will back their scopes no matter what "brand" of lens cleaner used and I am sure they are not the only "brand" with that C/S.



 

Really,  thats a pretty bold statement from someone who doesn't work there.  Say i clean mine in something that strips every coating away, ruins the glass, send it in and they dont pay for it.... am I to tell them to bill you because you said they would?   Don't make post that say a company WILL do something unless you yourself work there and represent them.  A lurker could take that as a voice of authority on the matter and be burnt because you ran your mouth when you have no right to do so. 

 

Also, not one person on here is brand loyal to zeiss cleaner, it just so happens no other scope company really puts any out thus the recommendation to use them..... they even said buy it at walmart.  Your misguided love towards all thing leupold and hating all things zeiss or any other brand for that matter is not needed. 


Proper cloth with windex will not harm Leupold lens coatings... improper cloth with windex may very well harm the lens coating. From what I understand same deal with many other manufacturers... simple phone call to find out.

I may have a bit of "brand" loyalty just I have never had a bad experience with them. Their scopes just "fit" me and my uses what can say??

Windex with ANY cloth will over time harm coatings on Leupold scopes (among others).  However, if you use Windex you will probably end up sending the scope in for repairs before there is severe damage to the coatings simply because I would expect WIndex to destroy the seals in the scope faster.

ILya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/27/2012 at 10:52
Ghillie308, are the streaks on the glass visible when using the scope or just when looking at the objective and ocular lenses not in actual use?

Rustic, your posts surprise me again.  You do indeed love to generalize and extrapolate ( the "everything in Windex--ville is Windex" was priceless), don't get upset when your particular form of lunacy gets called out.  If Koshkin says one thing (regarding optics and probably everything else) and you say the opposite, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

Yet another few reasons I don't buy Leupold products.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 300S&W Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/27/2012 at 11:09
 
  I've been doing some reading online about what to use as a liquid cleaner on multicoated lenses.  ALL I've read says to stay away from ANY containing ammonia.  Ones that recommend something mention Zeiss. 
  My son's company provides them with pre-moistened wipes for in the field cleaning of their survey equipments lenses.  The Zeiss or B&L Sight Savers.  So far I've had GOOD results with both.  I don't have any of the Zeiss right now but the B&L packet notes that "While our products are safe,it should be noted that some coatings are fragile and will wear off over time regardless of the cleaning regimen used." I'm guessing they're meaning the more often you physically touch the lens to clean it the sooner the coating will wear off.
  One more thing.  The B&L box says their product has been tested independently by COLTS laboratory and has been found to meet their performance requirements as tested.  I haven't been able to locate that test but will continue to look when I'm able to.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote GHILLIE.308 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/27/2012 at 11:18
Ghillie308, are the streaks on the glass visible when using the scope or just when looking at the objective and ocular lenses not in actual use?

No you cant see the streaks when the scope is in use. But when you look at the lense from a side angle with the right light you can see it. and I like my glass to be clean.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/27/2012 at 12:41
Originally posted by GHILLIE.308 GHILLIE.308 wrote:

Ghillie308, are the streaks on the glass visible when using the scope or just when looking at the objective and ocular lenses not in actual use?

No you cant see the streaks when the scope is in use. But when you look at the lense from a side angle with the right light you can see it. and I like my glass to be clean.

You may be able to carefully clean those streaks off using a proper cleaner and microfiber cloth.

Windex and other cleaners not designed for coated glass leave streaks.  The coating underneath may or may not be damaged.  Depends on how much it was abused

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rustic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/27/2012 at 13:37
Originally posted by Rancid Coolaid Rancid Coolaid wrote:

Ghillie308, are the streaks on the glass visible when using the scope or just when looking at the objective and ocular lenses not in actual use?

Rustic, your posts surprise me again.  You do indeed love to generalize and extrapolate ( the "everything in Windex--ville is Windex" was priceless), don't get upset when your particular form of lunacy gets called out.  If Koshkin says one thing (regarding optics and probably everything else) and you say the opposite, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

Yet another few reasons I don't buy Leupold products.


I must be crazy then... calling Leupold(among others) to ask what they RECOMEND to clean their lens in THEIR scope... THEN taking THEIR(you know... the scope manufacturer ;) word for it!!! Should I call their competition on what use for lens cleaning???

I'm not sure but, looks to I am not the only one guilty of "brand" loyalty. ;)

I will save everyone some time and call myself "out" --- I like leupold products!

;)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote GHILLIE.308 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/27/2012 at 13:43
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote GHILLIE.308 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/27/2012 at 13:49
Good news guys! I just got off the phone with the supervisor at Leupold and he went to go ask the Optical Engineer and she told him that Windex will not hurt their lens coating at all. The only thing it will do is leave streaks she said. But to be safe I bought some Zeiss lens wipes.Yippee
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sparky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/27/2012 at 14:23
Originally posted by GHILLIE.308 GHILLIE.308 wrote:

Good news guys! I just got off the phone with the supervisor at Leupold and he went to go ask the Optical Engineer and she told him that Windex will not hurt their lens coating at all. The only thing it will do is leave streaks she said. But to be safe I bought some Zeiss lens wipes.Yippee


Interesting. I too just got off the phone with Leupold's tech support and the individual I talked with also asked others in tech support as well as an optical engineer and they said absolutely no on using Windex. It leaves too much goop on the surface, is hard on the coatings and seals.

What is up with Leupold? Some say one thing and others say something else.

They said to use 90% or greater alcohol or go to a camera store and use the cleaning supplies they offer.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/27/2012 at 14:23

OK, last time I am doing this, so pay attention.

Originally posted by rustic rustic wrote:



I do have a little 3oz bottle of "zeiss" lens cleaner I use says - made in cleveland ohio - the bottle of windex I have under my sink in the kitchen also says made in cleveland ohio... go figure??? For all I know that "zeiss" lens cleaner could be made by windex... who knows??


This is idiotic, no way around it.  I could argue that Croucho Marx and Carl Marx were the same guy because you never saw them in a picture together - that would actually be smarter than what you say above.  


Originally posted by rustic rustic wrote:

I called several other scope manufacturers earlier most said windex is fine for their products. The ones said it is too harsh for their coatings were zeiss nikon s&b. 
So, it sounds like in most cases it is an non-issue on what "brand" of cleaner is used.

Again, idiotic: you claim to have asked about windex, then extrapolated to "use any brand."

And, for clarity: who were the companies that said windex is OK?

Please refrain from generalizations and extrapolations.

Ghillie, glad you got the answer you wanted, hope the coatings are OK.

Rustic, Zeiss and S&B are known for some of the best glass in optics, Leupold, not so much.  That Zeiss and S&B recommend against Windex is fairly telling, and that Leupold says it is fine is also insightful.  What did BSA and Countersniper say?  I would guess they said, "no problem!"

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 300S&W Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/27/2012 at 14:24
 
  Seems the Zeiss are your safest bet.  I've used B&L to with no problems.
 
  Actually what you needed to know from Leupold is if the Windex with ammonia is safe to use.  They also make ammonia free glass cleaners.  Their 2012 catalog says to use pure alcohol,pure water,or a high grade glass cleaner.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote GHILLIE.308 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/27/2012 at 14:38
Originally posted by Sparky Sparky wrote:

Originally posted by GHILLIE.308 GHILLIE.308 wrote:

Good news guys! I just got off the phone with the supervisor at Leupold and he went to go ask the Optical Engineer and she told him that Windex will not hurt their lens coating at all. The only thing it will do is leave streaks she said. But to be safe I bought some Zeiss lens wipes.Yippee


Interesting. I too just got off the phone with Leupold's tech support and the individual I talked with also asked others in tech support as well as an optical engineer and they said absolutely no on using Windex. It leaves too much goop on the surface, is hard on the coatings and seals.

What is up with Leupold? Some say one thing and others say something else.

They said to use 90% or greater alcohol or go to a camera store and use the cleaning supplies they offer.
    I asked would windex hurt the coatings and the engineer said no it would not. BUT and I say BUT they also said Windex is not the best thing to use because it is an oil and ammonia base and it will leave streaks on your lense. And they said if you left it on for long periods of time it could get behind the seals. "Hence not to use". But as for messing up the coatings it will not hurt it "UNLESS you leave it on for a long period of time". They ensured me that I did not hurt my optics.Big Smile
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mike650 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/27/2012 at 14:39
Originally posted by 300S&W 300S&W wrote:

 
  Seems the Zeiss are your safest bet.  I've used B&L to with no problems.


I've used the Swarovski optics wipes, much like Zeiss brand , and they work great!!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/27/2012 at 14:42
I guess I can go back to 8000 grit sandpaper, now...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 300S&W Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/27/2012 at 14:44
 
 Only on the ones you've found NOT to be bullet proof please.   Big Grin
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Skylar McMahon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/27/2012 at 14:48
Originally posted by Kickboxer Kickboxer wrote:

I guess I can go back to 8000 grit sandpaper, now...
 
Dan, are you wetsanding????
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 300S&W Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/27/2012 at 14:48
Originally posted by mike650 mike650 wrote:

Originally posted by 300S&W 300S&W wrote:

 
  Seems the Zeiss are your safest bet.  I've used B&L to with no problems.


I've used the Swarovski optics wipes, much like Zeiss brand , and they work great!!
 
 
  I'm sure. I'd think any of the cleaners offered by the major optics manufacturers would be safe.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sparky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/27/2012 at 14:50
Originally posted by GHILLIE.308 GHILLIE.308 wrote:

Originally posted by Sparky Sparky wrote:


Interesting. I too just got off the phone with Leupold's tech support and the individual I talked with also asked others in tech support as well as an optical engineer and they said absolutely no on using Windex. It leaves too much goop on the surface, is hard on the coatings and seals.

What is up with Leupold? Some say one thing and others say something else.

They said to use 90% or greater alcohol or go to a camera store and use the cleaning supplies they offer.
    I asked would windex hurt the coatings and the engineer said no it would not. BUT and I say BUT they also said Windex is not the best thing to use because it is an oil and ammonia base and it will leave streaks on your lense. And they said if you left it on for long periods of time it could get behind the seals. "Hence not to use". But as for messing up the coatings it will not hurt it "UNLESS you leave it on for a long period of time". They ensured me that I did not hurt my optics.Big Smile


Not arguing with you. I just posted what they told me. Like I said some say one thing and others say something else. It an 800 number so call again and see what they say this time.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bigdaddy0381 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/27/2012 at 14:51
Originally posted by Skylar McMahon Skylar McMahon wrote:

Originally posted by Kickboxer Kickboxer wrote:

I guess I can go back to 8000 grit sandpaper, now...
 
Dan, are you wetsanding????

 
 he spit sand's. His spit can take acid rain off a car hood and is safe for all rubber trim and is almost environmentally safe.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/27/2012 at 14:52
I find the frequent "is (fill in the blank chemical concoction) safe for cleaning lenses?" questions rather perplexing given that there's no shortage of optical lens cleaners specifically designed for that purpose available everywhere.

While there are probably multiple liquids that will work fine for lens cleaning without damaging lens coatings, one thing's for absolute certain... optical lens cleaning solutions (as the label seemingly implies) are totally safe and effective for that purpose, since they were specifically designed for that purpose.  Curiously, the stuff actually does a good job at cleaning lenses with no damage to delicate coatings too!  Who'da thunk it?  The same can be said for the chamois lens cleaning cloths that are often included in the box with new optics.

Which kinda begs the question... why worry about whether Windex, acetone, paint thinner, WD-40, diesel, goat's milk and whatever else is safe for lens coatings?  Why take unnecessary risks on your expensive optics when lens cleaning wipes/solutions are so inexpensive and readily available?  I could understand the urge to search for alternatives if the lens cleaning products were prohibitively expensive and/or only available by mail order, but neither is the case.

There's nothing magical about the word "Zeiss" on the Zeiss wipes / spray, since Zeiss doesn't manufacture it, except for the fact that, by putting their logo on the packaging, they obviously endorse its use on their optics.  The same solution is sold under different brand names (Nikon for one).  The reason the Zeiss wipes and lens spray is frequently recommended is not because it has "Zeiss" on the label, but the fact it's so readily available and it's inexpensive.  You can even get it at Wal-Mart.  Because I can pick up some more at the same time I'm buying spaghetti sauce, socks, and AA batteries, I too use the Zeiss wipes almost exclusively for cleaning optics these days.

I'm honestly not trying to be flippant here; I just don't get why anyone would take unnecessary risks with questionable products and spend time calling optics manufacturers to see which chemicals their lens coatings will withstand when a readily available, cheap solution is specifically designed for the task at hand.


Edited by RifleDude - June/27/2012 at 15:01
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