How to properly maintain a UCL lens?

[DaMeatMan]

Hey guys, i just got my first UCL in today and i was wondering how to go about cleaning it proplerly? I'm concerned about removing the anti-reflective coating if i try cleaning it when i get's dirty. Will it come off if wipe it?

 

[kalieaire]

use one of those lens pens.

 

[robox49]

The anti-reflective coating is similiar to those on optics, like camera lenses, binoculars, and eyeglasses, you can scratch it but you won't wipe it off cause it's been vapor deposited onto the surface. I clean mine with kodak lens papers and zeiss optical cleaning fluid. You could safely use windex and the lens tissues, but don't ever try cleaning the lens dry, you'll scratch the coating. Try to brush the dust and dirt off of it before cleaning with a camel hair brush or a lens pen.
Mike

 

[6pOriginal]

Will a wet toilet paper, or paper towel scratch it?

 

[js]

[ QUOTE ]
6pOriginal said:
Will a wet toilet paper, or paper towel scratch it?

[/ QUOTE ]

DO NOT use a paper towel or toilet paper! You might not see any scratches but they will be there. I've never tried paper towels on a UCL, but I've seen the scratching power of paper towels in action before. I think you could safely use a piece of an old cotton T-shirt, or better yet, a soft clean linen rag. Lens papers are also great, of course, but they don't feel as good to use. Just my $.02

 

[IsaacHayes]

I'd avoid amonia like windex. It took off the AR coating on my monitor and ruined it..

 

[LightScene]

Use dishwashing detergent and clean it with wet fingers. Then rinse it off with hot water and pat it dry with a soft cotton tee-shirt or something similar. This way you will avoid scratching it while cleaning it.

Most of the time, hot water alone is enough to clean lenses. Then pat them dry to avoid spots.

 

[Justintoxicated]

[ QUOTE ]
IsaacHayes said:
I'd avoid amonia like windex. It took off the AR coating on my monitor and ruined it..

[/ QUOTE ]

Yea, Windoex = smeared, or removed AR coating

 

[DaMeatMan]

Thanks so much guy's for all the feedback /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif.. that's precisely why i started this thread, i remember cleaning my new monitor with windex and noticing that the AR coating was removed.

 

[naromtap]

I too just got my first UCL Lens today & will use a Lens cloth to clean it. I used some PC Monitor wipes that took off a bit of the AR coating from my CRT monitor & the firm that made the wipes sent me a cheque for a new monitor!!

 

[flashlightlens]

I'll use either a Lens Pen, or dish/hand soap under water. If you take the lens out of the flashlight, you'll more than likely encounter a little grease around the area that contacts the o-ring. In this case, I would stick to the soap and water. Since you have it out, it's easiest - plus it saves wear and tear on the Lens Pen, if you have one.

I usually use a soft terry cloth towel to dry them. I've never really washed and dried a lens more than once, so I can't say if the terry cloth towel is soft enough to not cause any long-term damage.

 

[IsaacHayes]

Dish soap under water and then a soft cotten towl like a tea-towel is what I use to wash my glasses. I have had this pair for 6 years and I have no scratches on them. Paper towels will scratch though!

I wash my glasses 2-3 times a day.

 

[Semarin]

Received my lens today, thanks. The Pelican M6 LED light I just bought this week has a little smudge in the reflecting area, is it ok to try and wipe that or ?  If so, what should I use to wipe that area, cotton terry cloth just like I'd use for the lens?  It almost looks like a fingerprint inside there, you would think they would be more careful when assembling these things /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jpshakehead.gif, lol...