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How to properly clean my scope?

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ARMY11BB4 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ARMY11BB4 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: How to properly clean my scope?
    Posted: September/24/2018 at 20:44
I could use a little help.

I spent the last year making payments on a very good scope, I made my last payment 2 weeks ago. It arrived today: Schmidt and Bender 5-25x56mm PMII

I was issued this in the Army, but didn't realize what I had been using until I tried to buy it as a civilian. Same can be said for the LRF I used as well, no idea the level of equipment we were issued. When I saw the price tag of almost 4k, I thought I would never be able to own it, then I found out I could finance it, woohoo!!

Rambling, sorry. In the Army we got a bottle of white milky liquid to clean it with, it had a long chemical name. What can I use now that I'm a civilian to clean Tier 1 optics? Should I get a Zeiss cleaning kit? Swarovski kit? I'm no optics efficiando, so I'm all ears. Thanks guys!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote urbaneruralite Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/26/2018 at 10:58
Never noticed a cleaning kit with the volume of liquid necessary to lift all grit. Running water, Dawn and a clean microfiber cloth for me. I'll dunk one in a creek before I would use a little kit.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/26/2018 at 11:27
I use canned air to blow the dust off, but I hold it pretty far away so the air blast is very light.  They sell lens puffers with camera kits that I use sometimes as well.  They give you a little more control of the strength of the air blast. 

Then I use a lens pen to clean off anything else.  Make sure to wash your lens pen often in water with dish soap, they can trap a lot of dirt.

I also use Zeiss (or similar) spray and a microfiber cloth to clean really well.

I always clean in that order and don't always use the cloth unless it is needed. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/26/2018 at 11:56
As a general rule, I have seen more lenses destroyed by cleaning than anything else and the ratio is probably 20 to 1.

Before you embark on cleaning your optics, carefully consider whether they need to be cleaned.

If there are any particulates on them, try to blow them off with dry air.  If you have to actually touch the glass, never touch it dry.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sucker76 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/30/2018 at 20:19
I use isopropyl alcohol and a synthetic qtip type swab.  Rub lightly and let evaporate and then filtered or distilled water the same way and finish it off with a new, disposable micro fiber cloth.  I get small micro fiber cloths from eBay so cheap its a no brainer to toss them once used. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mike650 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/30/2018 at 21:06
Originally posted by supertool73 supertool73 wrote:

I use canned air to blow the dust off, but I hold it pretty far away so the air blast is very light.  They sell lens puffers with camera kits that I use sometimes as well.  They give you a little more control of the strength of the air blast. 

Then I use a lens pen to clean off anything else.  Make sure to wash your lens pen often in water with dish soap, they can trap a lot of dirt.

I also use Zeiss (or similar) spray and a microfiber cloth to clean really well.

I always clean in that order and don't always use the cloth unless it is needed. 


I do the same with canned compressed air or dust blower like the rocket blaster but rarely use a lens pen. Using Zeiss lens wipes or lens cleaning cloth (adding small amount of cleaning solution to it) I start in the center and in a small circular motion slowly work outward eventually to the outer edges of the lens.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote m00n Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/01/2018 at 18:49
This is a good link.  I was also told that if you're going to wipe the lens surface with anything, use a circular motion around the lens axis rather than wiping straight across.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote m00n Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/01/2018 at 18:53
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote m00n Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/01/2018 at 18:54
Ooops, I guess that's a link to a competitor.  Sorry.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mike650 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/01/2018 at 18:56
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote urbaneruralite Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/05/2018 at 14:13
Washing the microfiber cloth will Dawn will return it to new.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cebe45 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/19/2018 at 15:17
Scope is an extremely intricate device, that needs care and attention, you should start by gently brushing off the large particles of dust and dirt that may have accumulated on the surface of the lens, always use soft bristle brush that cannot make scratches on the lens,and make it a point to ensure that the brush is totally free of oil or grease. This will prevent such contaminants been transferred to the surface of the glass. Check out these scope https://www.atncorp.com/smart-hd-weapon-sight, for its functions. I will prefer also the use of Zeiss (or similar) spray and a microfiber cloth to clean it very nicely.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tt_tomson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/23/2018 at 09:14
A good scope is a quality optical instrument . Before cleaning the lenses READ THE INSTRUCTIONS and follow the manufacturers recommendations. Be sure to use a clean soft lint free cloth, and avoid liquid cleansers unless manufacturer specifically approves. Do not use a dirty shirt tail and NEVER -EVER a paper towel. Use of either is akin to using sandpaper and will potentially scratch the coating or the lens itself.
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