Cleaning lens

[gcbryan]

I just got a flashlight today that was installed with a hazy lens. I think it's glass but I haven't been able to clean it using alcohol or "Goof Off".

When you don't shine a light through the lens it looks clean but with a light it is hazy. Any ideas other than alcohol?

 

[march.brown]

I just got a flashlight today that was installed with a hazy lens. I think it's glass but I haven't been able to clean it using alcohol or "Goof Off".

When you don't shine a light through the lens it looks clean but with a light it is hazy. Any ideas other than alcohol?

Alcocol can ruin some plastics ... I learnt the hard way when I tried to clean the focussing screen on a Rollieflex 2.8F camera with alcohol ... Ruined it.

Alcohol should have been OK if your torch lens is glass though ... I have a Romisen RC-U4 with a smudged (on the inside) glass lens ... I can't get at the glass to clean it , even with a cotton bud ... The reflector is a push fit and holds the lens in place and doesn't want to come out , so I'm left with a smudged lens ... Consequently I don't use that torch much ... Might give it to a relative because it also takes three AAA cells ... I've got a 18650 in it at the moment.

Can you get the lens completely out ? ... If so , you could always get a replacement lens ... Some lenses are anti-reflective coated ... This can sometimes be badly applied.

Anyway , good luck.
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[RedLED]

I just got a flashlight today that was installed with a hazy lens. I think it's glass but I haven't been able to clean it using alcohol or "Goof Off".

When you don't shine a light through the lens it looks clean but with a light it is hazy. Any ideas other than alcohol?

Are you sure it is not softened or defused on purpose?

Brown: I have had my focusing screen nightmares, too

 

[PM01]

Safest way is water and a clean microfiber cloth. If you're SURE it's glass, then I'd use some reagent methanol and some Eclipse optical tissue. Works great on the finest optics that are glass.

Now if it's water spots on the glass (and you're sure it's glass) then just breathe on the lens, wipe with the microfiber. Takes out any water stains that may be on the lens.

 

[Beamer4D]

If you do go in there to clean the lens, make sure you don't touch the reflector. It can be ruined quite easily. I was tempted to do this on my own light but luckily checked on here before.