Cleaning Dusty Optics

[ssapach]

So a little over a week ago I went on a bit of a back road tour on some rather dusty roads. I had a pair of binoculars in the vehicle, and even though the dust caps were on them, 3 of the 4 shook off throughout the course of the day. I've now got some very dusty glass on some Swarovski binoculars.

I wonder what the best course of action would be to clean them without scratching anything? I haven't touched them yet since that day, as I've been busy and didn't want to risk doing more damage than good before knowing how to properly handle this.

This may seem like a silly question, but since they are supposed to be waterproof, can a person just rinse the whole works off with water to get the bulk of the dust off before tackling any other kind of cleaning?

For what it's worth, the dust was unavoidable in the soft top vehicle. Top up or top down, the dust was coming in. The only thing was I hadn't been paying attention to all the stuff bouncing around on the back seat and didn't notice the dust covers come off before it was too late.

Any good advice or hints/tips to clean these would be much appreciated!

 

[kamlooky]

Lense pen.

 

[jethunter]

Blow off as much as you can, then go gently with a clean cloth and lens cleaner, a lens pen, whatever. Avoid paper products for wiping.

 

[DILLIGAF]

Lenspen

 

[ManitobaMan]

I would not put water to it, without airblowing
First, Im always worried lenspens and cloths
Trap rocks and sand and can scratch the coatings
Or glass

- IMO

-either the Zeiss or swarovski
Cleaning kit, and follow manufacture
Instructions, as the coating on the glass
Are important as well

Most top end glass companys have an
Approved cleaning method available on their
Website.

Its interesting to note Zeiss advice for their high end optics.

I have a zeiss, Leica, and swaro products that I would rather not get all scratched and
Coating messed with, they all sell proper lens care kits

That much cash invested, its woth having the right stuff,

 

[kamlooky]

Lense pen brush to dust it off when out in the bush.

Heck MTM............bring a genset, air compresser, hose, air regulator.
Heavenzs forbidd don't want too much air psi blow'in awn yer lenses.

 

[KaneZoR]

Lens pen, no question.

 

[ssapach]

I would not put water to it, without airblowing
First, Im always worried lenspens and cloths
Trap rocks and sand and can scratch the coatings
Or glass

- IMO

-either the Zeiss or swarovski
Cleaning kit, and follow manufacture
Instructions, as the coating on the glass
Are important as well

Most top end glass companys have an
Approved cleaning method available on their
Website.

Its interesting to note Zeiss advice for their high end optics.

I have a zeiss, Leica, and swaro products that I would rather not get all scratched and
Coating messed with, they all sell proper lens care kits

That much cash invested, its woth having the right stuff,

I had a snoop on the Swarovski website, and they offer a cleaning kit. They also have instructions that can be downloaded.

I figured the owner's manual might have some cleaning info, but I can't find mine and haven't the slightest idea if I even kept it. Never would have expected the website to have it though, so thanks for suggesting it!

On a side note, I need to check into these lens pens. Might be useful for some of my older optics, or something to just keep in the range bag just in case.

 

[AP]

Blow them gently with a 'bulb' blower .. not a pressurized air can. Personaly if they are really bad I would wash them with warm water. If you want to be anal buy a few gallons of distilled water from Loblaws and 'warm' it for the final rinse. You could probably also use a drop or two of very mild liquid soap. Give Swarovski a call and I would be surprised if they disagree.


Do not use hot or very cold water ... have your bino's and the water at room temperature.


PS .. I have been doing this for years with expensive coated glasses (Persol etc, Zeiss, Rodenstock) with no issue - and recently I see (for the first time) that 'Ray Ban' recommends 'wash only!" to clean their newer coated sunglasses. I would be surprised if a waterproof Bino couldnt handle this sort of treatment ... and it certainly wont harm the optics ..... just dont use a scouring brush on them

 

[sherlockbonez]

I blow with a puffer, brush with len pen, then either use some lens solution and a clothe or use the polish end of the pen.