How to clean a reflector?

[donn_]

Is there a good way to clean a smooth reflector without marring it's surface and reflectivity? I have a couple with oily fingerprints near the outer edge.

Thanks in advance.

 

[UncleFester]

60 grit sand paper gets pretty much everything off the reflector.
Seriiously though, do not try to wipe the shiny surface. What I do is swish the reflector in a strong solution of Dawn and water, mavbe enen soak it for a while. then rinse thoroughly. Finally I rinse the tap water off uing reverse osmosis water.(distilled will work too) then allow to air dry. ANY wiping action will be detrimental.
Good Luck
Edit: the reason for the second rinse is that tap water has minerals in it which will leave spots or streaks. distilled water does not.

 

[65535]

+1

UncleFester is right, physical contact with anything harder than a liquid will scratch the reflector, a strong soap water swish followed by fresh water rinses until all soap is gone, then RO or distilled water to get any minerals out so it drys clear.

 

[gunga]

Can this actually clean off a fingerprint? Would be great if it could!

 

[Ctechlite]

60 grit sand paper gets pretty much everything off the reflector.
Seriiously though, do not try to wipe the shiny surface. What I do is swish the reflector in a strong solution of Dawn and water, mavbe enen soak it for a while. then rinse thoroughly. Finally I rinse the tap water off uing reverse osmosis water.(distilled will work too) then allow to air dry. ANY wiping action will be detrimental.
Good Luck
Edit: the reason for the second rinse is that tap water has minerals in it which will leave spots or streaks. distilled water does not.

+1 minus the sandpaper :nana:

I've done this method before, it was not 100% effective, but way better than leaving the finger prints in there! More than one application/trial may work tho...you know the shampoo bottles read...rinse and repeat!

 

[65535]

Any use of clothe or cotton balls, Qtips no matter what will leave marks on the reflector, just wash it until it's gone. Shake it like it's never been shook before.

 

[scott.cr]

I've had good luck using the brush of a LensPen for dust, but this probably won't work for fingerprints.

The "no touch" soap, water, re-rinse method works for me too.

 

[adamlau]

I have always cotton swabbed and streamed 99% isopropyl alcohol from a bottle with good results.

 

[THE OFF]

Zippo oil + brush+ cloth

 

[cmacclel]

You can use a lens cleaning wipe along with warm water and dish detergent. Just make sure the lens cloth is soaked in the water first. Also do nor use any pressure when wiping. I hold the relfector under the water when wiping and have had excellent results. Once in a great while I will get one that you can faintly see the markings from cleaning.

I have probably done 50 or so using this method.

Mac

 

[MarNav1]

You can use a lens cleaning wipe along with warm water and dish detergent. Just make sure the lens cloth is soaked in the water first. Also do nor use any pressure when wiping. I hold the relfector under the water when wiping and have had excellent results. Once in a great while I will get one that you can faintly see the markings from cleaning.

I have probably done 50 or so using this method.

Mac

Any certain brand of wipe you recommend Mac?

 

[MarNav1]

You can use a lens cleaning wipe along with warm water and dish detergent. Just make sure the lens cloth is soaked in the water first. Also do nor use any pressure when wiping. I hold the relfector under the water when wiping and have had excellent results. Once in a great while I will get one that you can faintly see the markings from cleaning.

I have probably done 50 or so using this method.

Mac

Oops! Double post. Sorry.

 

[cmacclel]

Any lens cleaning wipe should work.

Mac

 

[J!m]

Hello everyone.

I'm new to this forum, but not at all new to keeping optics clean (I'm a photographer) and many of the elements I clean have an individual cost in excess of most expensive flashlights...

Anyway, the key to not damaging the expensive AR and color correcting coatings on modern lenses is to NEVER wipe the surface when dry. No matter how good the quality of your lens paper (I use Kim-Wipes from Kimberly Clark) if you wipe the surface when dry, you will likely scratch it.

So, for lens surfaces that cost several thousand dollars, don't be afraid to waste a few lens paper wipes. (also note that this procedure is ONLY when the lens has something on it [such as a print] that must be removed. A blower brush is still the best thing to remove dust particles; FYI "canned air" can often react with AR/CC coatings). Wet the first lens paper with lab-grade isopropyl (90+% concentration as mentioned above) and lightly dab the area in question. In the case of a reflector, if it is plastic, test the alcohol on the back side to be sure it does not melt the plastic!

Throw away the first paper and pull another from the box. Once the alcohol dries, check to see that the oil is coming off. Many AR/CC coatings are very tenacious with finger oil, and it can take a bit of patience to get it off. Remember, you want the oil off the surface with no rubbing at all if you can do it.

Once satisfied the oil is removed, you need to clarify the entire reflector. I once again wet a new paper with alcohol, and give the entire lens a wipe. This also cools the surface for the next step.

Throw away that paper and pull another one. Bring the cool lens to your mouth and breathe on it to put a film of fog on the lens surface (no spit, please). Before it evaporates, wipe the lens clean using a smooth, even stroke in one direction. DO NOT SCRUB under any circumstances, as this can scratch the coating even though it is perfectly clean. Keep pressure to the bare minimum.

Check your work. If it needs another wipe, get a new paper, fog it up and repeat.

I do this periodically to my lenses (as infrequently as I can to preserve the coatings) and it takes me about 15 minutes to 1/2 hour per lens (2 elements). Don't rush it! This is where you can have problems.

The good news for you guys is you can get a reflector within a week for under $100.00. I cannot get a lens repaired within a week, and I am looking at several hundred if not over $1000.00 for repair costs. Just be sure the alcohol does not attack the reflector if it is plastic. many plastics will be 'crazed' by alcohols...

For what it's worth...

 

[Sgt. LED]

2 words guys, Water Pic!

 

[LuxLuthor]

Many great ideas and voices of experience. I didn't know most of these techniques. Going on my Firefox Scrapbook web page storage.

Big thanks to everyone, and :welcome: J!m

 

[nutz_about_lights]

I use a microfibre cloth to clean it easy.