Help Please: Cleaning SMO Reflector

AFAustin · Dec 17, 2006

I would appreciate any suggestions for a safe method for cleaning a couple of small smudges off an SMO reflector. I tried swishing with warm soapy water, followed by a good rinse, and they're still there.

I'm hoping maybe there's something easy I'm not aware of, hopefully that doesn't involve special tools or ingredients.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

simonsays · Dec 17, 2006

I pretty much ruined a $30 reflector trying to clean a couple of finger smudges. If they dont affect the beam I would suggest leaving them as they are. The reflective coating is very delicate and even my Pentax microfibre lens cloth scratched it.

Simon

Pumaman · Dec 17, 2006

read somewhere to rise with denatured alcohol, but yes as simonsays they are very delicate

Scattergun · Dec 17, 2006

I have cleaned some of mine with a carbonfibre brush, but it takes delicate action, and the brush isn´t gonna make the bigger smudges go away!

AFAustin · Dec 17, 2006

Thank you, gentlemen, for your helpful posts.

gchand · Dec 17, 2006

I recently had the opportunity to clean one of Fivemega's deep Mag
reflectors, following an 1185 bulb explosion. What I did was to dip the
reflector into warm water, then *liberally* coated the reflector surface with
dishwashing liquid. Using my finger (which I had previously "softened" with
warm water), I *gently* rubbed the reflector surface to clean it. A thorough
rinse in warm water and a compressed air drying followed. The reflector came
clean, other than some pits from flying glass, and my finger rubbing did not
impart any further damage. The trick here is again, *lots* of soap solution,
which also serves as a lubricant.

George

leeleefocus · Dec 17, 2006

gchand speaks the truth. I have also cleaned several reflectors this way with good results.

Flash_Gordon · Dec 17, 2006

As others have said, it might be best to leave them.

You can flush with IPA after you have made sure your reflector is metal and not plastic.

Mark

IsaacHayes · Dec 17, 2006

I've coated the reflector with straight soap, then turned on some hot water and let that blast the soap off. The soap is thick and will help pull the stuff off. With oily smudges, it might take a few cycles.

However I've always had water spots left over, though you cant see them until the light is on. I have not tried bottled distilled water rinse though, that might do the trick.

AFAustin · Dec 17, 2006

Thanks again, gentlemen. Lots of good suggestions. This really is a trickier chore than I realized!

vortechs · Dec 17, 2006

AFAustin said:
I would appreciate any suggestions for a safe method for cleaning a couple of small smudges off an SMO reflector. I tried swishing with warm soapy water, followed by a good rinse, and they're still there.

I'm hoping maybe there's something easy I'm not aware of, hopefully that doesn't involve special tools or ingredients.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Try this thread: https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/127058

AFAustin · Dec 17, 2006

vortechs said:
Try this thread: https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/127058

Thank you, vortechs. Great thread.

I did my best "due diligence" search before starting this thread, but I didn't find the one you linked.

Thanks again.

Niteowl · Dec 18, 2006

Good luck with your cleaning.

While a smudge or two may not affect the performance of the reflector, or even be noticed by mere mortals, it's quite maddening to those who enjoy gazing upon the beauty of a fine illumination instrument!

Anglepoise · Dec 18, 2006

AFAustin said:
I would appreciate any suggestions for a safe method for cleaning a couple of small smudges off an SMO reflector. I tried swishing with warm soapy water, followed by a good rinse, and they're still there.

I'm hoping maybe there's something easy I'm not aware of, hopefully that doesn't involve special tools or ingredients.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Every reflector will react differently but I am running about 90% successful
with this method.

Wash hands.
Spray reflector with 'Fantastic' or other type of soap.
Make sure fingers are well coated too.
Under running water, gently distribute the soap or cleaner with ones finger.
Make sure that your finger is well covered with soap or Fantastic.
Flush under tap.
Shake off water drops
Dry immediately with hair dryer.

underdust · Dec 18, 2006

gchand said:
I recently had the opportunity to clean one of Fivemega's deep Mag
reflectors, following an 1185 bulb explosion. What I did was to dip the
reflector into warm water, then *liberally* coated the reflector surface with
dishwashing liquid. Using my finger (which I had previously "softened" with
warm water), I *gently* rubbed the reflector surface to clean it. A thorough
rinse in warm water and a compressed air drying followed. The reflector came
clean, other than some pits from flying glass, and my finger rubbing did not
impart any further damage. The trick here is again, *lots* of soap solution,
which also serves as a lubricant.

George

I did the exact same thing with the reflector from my hotwire MiniMag after I popped a bulb, and I also had very good results.

AFAustin · Dec 18, 2006

Thank you, gentlemen, for more good techniques.

vortechs · Dec 18, 2006

The only thing I can add to the techniques that have been suggested is to recommend using only distilled water for both washing and rinsing. I used a spray bottle filled with distilled water to rinse the reflector once I had cleaned it with liquid soap and rinsed most of the soap off in a pot filled with distilled water.

FredM · Dec 18, 2006

vortechs said:
The only thing I can add to the techniques that have been suggested is to recommend using only distilled water for both washing and rinsing. I used a spray bottle filled with distilled water to rinse the reflector once I had cleaned it with liquid soap and rinsed most of the soap off in a pot filled with distilled water.

What about diluting a bit of dishwasher rinsing fluid in with your bottle?

swampgator · Dec 19, 2006

Just a thought, but would latex gloves be better for handling a reflector? I get the impression that the problem is smuding (possibly from skin oils)? If so wouldn't gloves prevent that?

chmsam · Dec 19, 2006

Use a very, very, very gentle touch.

Then buy a new reflector, if only to have as a spare.

Help Please: Cleaning SMO Reflector

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