Help - KT2 head all scratched up.

[ShineOnYouCrazyDiamond]

OK - so I was doing something I probably shouldn't have been doing. I had a LF IMR-M3T buld in the KT2 head and I was securing it in the head with one hand while stretching the spring a bit with needle nose pliers in the other hand.

The spring got out of the pliers at full stretch and when it snapped back into place it totally shattered the bulb and filament inside the KT2 head. It did a pretty good job of nicking and scratching up the inside of the reflector and head.

I was able to rinse the inside out with water to get most of the glass out but I was hoping there was a way to pull the head apart to polish the reflector. Or is it just toast at this point?

The beam is just not the same as before - more dispersed and fugly looking.

 

[FredericoFreire]

If you try to polish, you'll ruin the reflector.

 

[Paladin]

I've had good luck removing dry debris from dust and a blown lamp or two by holding the bezel lens upward, and inserting the flexible tube from a can of air into the reflector area. Insure the canned air is held upright to prevent any liquid being shot into the reflector area. The force of the air against the lens sweeps any debris out the hole where the lamp is inserted.

Paladin

 

[ShineOnYouCrazyDiamond]

If you try to polish, you'll ruin the reflector.

Yeah - oops, too late. q-tips and reflector don't get along! :mecry:That'll be $109 for a new KT1 (no point in paying more for the KT2 if I don't need the MN lamps).

 

[ShineOnYouCrazyDiamond]

I've had good luck removing dry debris from dust and a blown lamp or two by holding the bezel lens upward, and inserting the flexible tube from a can of air into the reflector area. Insure the canned air is held upright to prevent any liquid being shot into the reflector area. The force of the air against the lens sweeps any debris out the hole where the lamp is inserted.

Paladin

I'll try to remember this next time, but the light shattered with so much violence that is physically damaged the reflector.

 

[leukos]

I think SF only recommends cleaning bezels/reflectors with 100% isopropyl alcohol and letting it evaporate, never wipe or touch the reflector. If it had been a SF lamp in there that shattered, they probably would replace the KT2 for you under warranty. I guess that is the risk all of us run by modding our lights though.