What to use and how to clean aluminum/plastic reflectors?

[Zero_Enigma]

Ok, I've not put my reflectors in a housing because I'm still doing testing from time to time when I can work on the bike light. Also because I don't have a housing so my reflectors have gotten dusty.

What is the best way to clean them without damaging the inside? Last time I wiped a mini Maglite reflector with my soft fleece pull over I was thinking it would not hurt it given how soft it was but I got rid of the dust alright but also gained some scratches as well. :scowl:

 

[znomit]

Zero, my previous hobby was building telescopes, I guess a reflector is a lot like a telescope mirror. In general, no matter how filthy things look don't touch it. A bit of dust looks bad but doesn't actually block much light.
If you really are worried try blowing it off with some canned air.

 

[Zero_Enigma]

Zero, my previous hobby was building telescopes, I guess a reflector is a lot like a telescope mirror. In general, no matter how filthy things look don't touch it. A bit of dust looks bad but doesn't actually block much light.
If you really are worried try blowing it off with some canned air.

I have used canned air to blow it off but still I've got a some dust in there.

I was thinking alcohal (sp) with a q-tip but wanted to check with the folks here first.

The basement was dusty as with other places I've taken the light too and the moisture and dust stuck on a bit more then just a normal stable room temp. I've taken the light outside in sub-zero (C temps) for extended times while at a friends garage or at shops so stuff got stuck on the reflector.

 

[Steve K]

How about using a lens brush, such as is used for cameras?? But use air (either with an attached blower, or compressed air) to knock off as much stuff as possible first.

I had a similar problem with a metalized plastic reflector from an old Union headlight. Got a little bit of crud on the reflector surface, and tried to lightly brush it off with a cotton t-shirt. oooops! It left light scratches in the metal coating, so I was more careful after that. This was during the build process. Before I used it on the road, I added a plexiglas cover to it. The plexiglas is much more tolerant of abuse, and can be replaced if need be.

Steve K.