Maintaining/ cleaning your scope

[Amelio]

I blow on the glass to get any dirt, particles off, I give it a spray with sunglass lens cleaner then wipe.it with a dry lens towel. Seem to work good have not noticed any scratches.

All my screws have blue 243 octite on them and have never had a issue with becoming loose even my big 300 win mag

 

[bearkilr]

I use my t-shirt and Loctite on bases, never rings. I also don't own a torque wrench or scope level kit and I've never lapped rings. Everyone has their preferences.

 

[bsand]

So far I've only wiped water from my lense. Other than that, flip lens lids up to shoot down to store.

 

[Bile]

...

 

[GD7]

I use a lens pen only, for cleaning. No loctite on anything, bases and rings torqued with the FAT wrench, rings lapped with the Wheeler kit.

 

[AP]

The ideal is to use a rubber bulb type blower first in order to remove any grit that might otherwise scratch the lens when wiped. Canned compressed air is not recommended on optics as it can lift coating and/or deposit harmful chemicals from the propellant used. Blowing by mouth is discouraged as it can also deposit material on the lens. Avoid using a brush as they can deposit oil on the lens surface and generally just move the dirt around... But not remove it. After loose dirt is removed it is probably safe to use a lens pen... I use lense tissue moistened with isopropyl alcohol And very gently circle the lense starting in the middle working to the edge of the mount

 

[legi0n]

the scopes are waterproof so just take them in the shower

 

[cam1936]

There is about 1000 ways to clean a lens. Just search for the threads on a camera or telescope forum.

I frequent a telescope forum and have read lots of threads on the proper way to clean optics. I use a quality bulb blower to blow off loose dust. I use kleenex (unscented no lotion, just plain kleenex brand) and Windex to clean. Be careful about loose particals, do not re use the same area of tissue on the lens, it's more of a rolling wipe so you do not smear around particals. Then finish with a dry kleenex and use the bulb blower to blow off the lint.

I use kleenex because I think it does a better job than commercial optical tissue. Apparently many big optics labs agree with me. It does leave lint, but that is easily removed with the bulb blower. Windex is also safe on modern optical coatings and does a better job than IPA in my opinion (I find IPA leaves streaks that must be cleaned after.) IPA and acetone can be useful for different stubborn stains though, just be careful as acetone dissolves plastic.

I do not use microfiber cloths, unless you intend to throw them out after each lens surface. Maybe I am anal, the Swarovski crew has a video online of how to clean their optics and they haphazardly wipe a brush and then clean with a microfiber cloth. The maker of the finest refractors in the world (a lot more expensive and a lot more perfect than any Swaro optic) did a tutorial and he was extremely careful. So I guess just do what works for you.