How do you clean your rifle scope lenses?

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theshootist

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Pretty straightforward question, or is it?

How do you clean your expensive rifle scope lenses? Will Windex harm the lenses? What about those alcohol type safety cleaning patches? No trolling here, just looking for some solid advice.

Thanks!
 
Always brush with a soft lens brush while blowing with air first. Then spray with cleaner and wipe ever so gently with a lens cloth, turning it often until the lens is dry.
 
Lenspen for debris then HOYA microfiber lens cloth and cleaning spray. Available at most photography stores.
 
A rocket blower and a lens pen are my go to cleaning products. And my main use is on a $2500 camera lens. I would avoid windex. And any paper product can scratch glass so avoid using kleenex.
 
Best advise is to go to a "Bird Forum" and see what they advise. A lot of those people use binocs and scopes costing several $1000. Also people in the photography business spend big bucks on lenses. 2 things to remember,
1- Do not use Kleenex, it has abrasive qualities so get a micro cloth specifically for lenses,
2- use a liquid (spray) from a store that sells glasses not windex.
 
That brush on a lense pen gizmo is super soft.
I know one gent on'ear that yewses a small sqweeze blow thing
to git the dust awff.
Windex wood skare the pizz owt oh me.
I've seen a buddies scope lense with the coating arff miss'in.
Nawt sure whut'ee yewsed, but olie molie.
 
I got ahold of those sealed tiny packets that has a wet towelette in it for cleaning safety glasses. The package says it contains isopropyl alcohol. I wonder if this wet towelette would be a good choice for lenses? I better be safe and pay through the nose at a camera shop for the kit. Thanks for advice folks, please keep it coming!
 
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You shouldn't have to pay through the nose but don't cheap out either. The coatings on quality lenses are only so many microns thick so it pays to use the proper tools for the job. I wish I could remember what I payed for a good micro-fibre lens cloth and a bottle of spray but it wasn't that much. Certainly cheaper than paying for another scope or bino. I do recall a lady in the optics industry saying NOT to wipe lenses dry but rather to use a lens cleaner solution. When I purchased my shooting glasses the bottle I got will likely last several years and after each use I wash the cloth by itself in a sink and hang dry to keep from getting any other contaminant on it. I store that in a separate baggie so I know it's not going to have any debris on it that may scratch the lens. I'm really not sure about those packets of towelettes and would not want to take a chance on them. Anyone chime in on what a spray bottle of lens solution and micro fibre cloth would cost from an optician?
 
theshootist said:
Pretty straightforward question, or is it?

How do you clean your expensive rifle scope lenses? Will Windex harm the lenses? What about those alcohol type safety cleaning patches? No trolling here, just looking for some solid advice.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Don't use Windex or any other household glass cleaner. They have corrosive chemicals in them that will remove the coating from the scope lens and rot the rubber seals causing a leak. I learned by bad experience ruining a good scope. It voids your warranty,too. Camera stores have lens brushes and squeeze blowers to get rid of loose dirt and dust. Always use lens caps. I like Butler Creek flip ups,but,there's others that are just as good.
 
theshootist said:
I got ahold of those sealed tiny packets that has a wet towelette in it for cleaning safety glasses. The package says it contains isopropyl alcohol. I wonder if this wet towelette would be a good choice for lenses? I better be safe and pay through the nose at a camera shop for the kit. Thanks for advice folks, please keep it coming!
Click to expand...

This is exactly what I use in the real world conditions . Keep your lens pens or better solutions for the range or in your truck . It may be just me but I have trouble keeping everything I need with me organized and handy already . I use covers when not in use and when my scope needs cleaned in the field it's probably from rain /snow or mud splatter , don't know if the lens pen would help . I'm curious if there is a downside to the wipes , I've never had a issue with my leupold scopes but they have scratch resistance coatings as do other high end scopes

Edit - I just watched the video posted above and he had two good points I will agree with and share here

1- keep cleaning to a minimum
2- use the anti fog solution , I use one called rainex for my glasses when motorcycling and it works great
 
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