Help with fungus on bushnell red dot

[Spearhunter]

Made the mistake of storing my Bushnell red dot scope without removing a tight butler creek flip up cover on the ocular lens for about a year. I see fungus on it now and its all cloudy. I've tried applying alcohol and anti fungal cream, and exposing to sunlight with no effect. Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[coleman1495]

The fungus growth is on the inside or outside of the lens?

 

[Spearhunter]

I'm not sure. How do I know if its inside or outside?

 

[257Wby]

Time to send it in to Bushnell for warranty work...

 

[SuperCub]

I'm not sure. How do I know if its inside or outside?

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[Lookingforantiques]

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[AMET]

Well you could post pictures. But you should be able to scrape it off with your nail. Sounds like it's in the inside TBH

 

[coleman1495]

I’d call Bushnell Warranty center and ask them what the strongest cleaner they recommend is. If that doesn’t work (which it sounds like it’s internally dirty, you can send it in.

 

[Recce21]

You let your wet optics sit covered for over a year? Sounds like will full neglect to me.

 

[SuperCub]

You let your wet optics sit covered for over a year? Sounds like will full neglect to me.

How's that "full neglect"? .... That's no different than the scope sitting in the original packaging sealed in plastic. LOL

 

[1-trident-1]

How's that "full neglect"? .... That's no different than the scope sitting in the original packaging sealed in plastic. LOL

one was wet, and the other is dry.

 

[wai762]

I'm afraid to say that there is not much you can do except send it in for repair.
Back in the days when I was in to photography, trying to keep fungus and mold away was a major concern, I have one of those special "dry" cabinet to store all my lens and stuff.
Even if you can get rid of the fungus, you will see "scratch" mark on the lens.

 

[A-zone]

one was wet, and the other is dry.

Maybe the OP lives in a humid part of the country?

Contact the warranty centre. The worst that can happen is you may be SOL. Bushnell has pretty good customer service IMHO.

 

[Ganderite]

You can drive it to Bushnell. They have a walk in counter for repairs. The guy there is very helpful. Based on my experience they will repair it or replace it for free.

 

[Spearhunter]

You let your wet optics sit covered for over a year? Sounds like will full neglect to me.

I didn't say anything about wet optics I moved closer to the equator and stored it by taking out the battery, but left the flip up lid on. Placed it in a tupperware container with several packs of dessicant. Maybe I should have aired it monthly instead of storing it for a year.

Maybe the OP lives in a humid part of the country?
Contact the warranty centre. The worst that can happen is you may be SOL. Bushnell has pretty good customer service IMHO.

Looks like the growth is inside the lens I'll have to get it serviced.

 

[blargon]

If it's growing inside, there must be oxygen and the nitrogen has leaked out.

 

[Putz57]

Save the drive to Bushnell. As of two days ago they aren't taking walk-ins because of covid. Gotta mail it in.

 

[cam1936]

One last thing you can try is acetone.

Acetone is used in optics facilities as a cleaning agent, it works really well, dries clean and is safe on coatings. However it will dissolve many plastics and paints, so don't let it touch where lens meets the cell!!! Use a q tip just slightly moistened.

If it is inside you can send it to Bushnell or dumpster it.