| Footbag |
| (sage) |
| 07/03/09 12:03 AM |
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Cleaned corrector but got streaks.
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I held out cleaning my corrector plate on my CPC 800 as long as I possibly could, but it's been dirty. Not dust, some sort of sap or grease in small drops. I got most of them off with just a little bit of pressure with 100% lint free cotton pads.
There were two spots that just smudged, so I went onto Celestron's website to see what the recommend, and it said 70% isopropyl alcohol and 30% water. I mixed up a little bit and easily got the sap off, but it left a streak about the size of my thumb in both spots. Anywhere the solution came in contact with the glass.
I did some searching on CN and found a few suggestions that I'll pursue.
All that said, I'm bringing my scope with me this weekend and won't really have time to clean it before I go. Will I notice the streaks observing or photographing? Is there a danger to not taking care of it immediately? I shouldn't be worried, right?
| 94bamf |
| (professor emeritus) |
| 07/03/09 12:14 AM |
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Re: Cleaned corrector but got streaks.
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Not sure if my method for removing streaks left by cleaning solution is "correct", but it works for me. I find that breathing on the effected area, not like blowing on it, but more the "ha ha" method to fog the area over with moisture from your breath, then wiping with a nice soft lint free cloth is the most effective method I have found to remove streaks. I haven't found a cleaning solution that doesn't leave streaks like you describe. I think it is some kind of chemical reaction with the coatings or something. I have also noticed sometimes more force/pressure is required to remove said streaks than would be recomended here, so use at your own risk. I have noticed no scratches or damage of any kind to any of my optics that I have used a bit more pressure on, I feel the key is No dirt or derbis left on the surface that could scratch anything, and keep it moist with your breath or cleaning solution. YMMV..
Ken
| Tom Andrews |
| (Pooh-Bah) |
| 07/03/09 12:52 AM |
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Re: Cleaned corrector but got streaks.
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The trick I've found to getting the streaks is just keep going over it with new cotton; first damp then dry but only use cotton once and throw it away. I use the 100% cotton pads you get from the cosmetic area at Walmart or wherever.
Also, I don't use the mixture Celestron suggests, I only use about 10% alcohol and 90% distilled water. (They don't even recommend distilled water...?)
I don't think you'll notice the streaks visually but I don't know about imaging.
| Footbag |
| (sage) |
| 07/03/09 08:40 AM |
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Re: Cleaned corrector but got streaks.
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Quote:
The trick I've found to getting the streaks is just keep going over it with new cotton; first damp then dry but only use cotton once and throw it away. I use the 100% cotton pads you get from the cosmetic area at Walmart or wherever.
Also, I don't use the mixture Celestron suggests, I only use about 10% alcohol and 90% distilled water. (They don't even recommend distilled water...?)
I don't think you'll notice the streaks visually but I don't know about imaging.
They specified distilled, but I used RO-DI 99.9% lab grade water. Should be close enough.
That said, I though about it all night and gave it a quick dab this morning with some new suggested methods. It improved, but there is still a bit of streaky discoloration on the glass in one spot. It doesn't seem to want to come off. I didn't use much force originally, but I'm a bit nervous. The spot doesn't look like streaks anymore, it just looks like the glass has a small discoloration. The alcohol solution doesn't seem to do anything to it.
| bcuddihee |
| (Pooh-Bah) |
| 07/03/09 08:45 AM |
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Re: Cleaned corrector but got streaks.
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I too have used the hot breath method after cleaning to remove streaking and it worked very well. It may take a bit of time but you will eventually get there.
bc
| JAT Observatory |
| (Got Cookies?) |
| 07/03/09 11:24 AM |
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Re: Cleaned corrector but got streaks.
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Follow Dr. Clay's Method to the letter and there'll be no streaks.
| Tom Andrews |
| (Pooh-Bah) |
| 07/03/09 11:55 AM |
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Re: Cleaned corrector but got streaks.
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Quote:
Also, I don't use the mixture Celestron suggests, I only use about 10% alcohol and 90% distilled water. (They don't even recommend distilled water...?)
My mistake, it does say distilled water. Sorry...
| desertrefugee |
| (Pooh-Bah) |
| 07/03/09 12:00 PM |
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Re: Cleaned corrector but got streaks.
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Quote:
...the hot breath method after cleaning ...
A time-honored, all-purpose, highly effective "finishing touch" for cleaning optics.
I use the breath fogging followed by cotton swabbing.
Works fine.
| GUNER |
| (Carpal Tunnel) |
| 07/03/09 02:17 PM |
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Re: Cleaned corrector but got streaks.
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Quote:
Follow Dr. Clay's Method to the letter and there'll be no streaks.
Marcus is correct. I have used DC's direction 4 times that I cleaned my corrector & never had any streaks
| Footbag |
| (sage) |
| 07/03/09 02:32 PM |
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Re: Cleaned corrector but got streaks.
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Thanks guys. I'll give Dr. Clays method a shot once I can get all of the ingredients together.
| Midnight Dan |
| (Carpal Tunnel) |
| 07/03/09 02:51 PM |
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Re: Cleaned corrector but got streaks.
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I too use Dr. Clay's ArkSky Cleaning solutions and techniques. Works great!
-Dan
| GUNER |
| (Carpal Tunnel) |
| 07/03/09 05:27 PM |
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Re: Cleaned corrector but got streaks.
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Footbag:
Do filter everything like it says in the instructions. It sounds like overkill but I think that's part of the reason it works so well.
Watch where you get the Kodak PhotoFlo. I tried a local camera shop & the guy didn't have it but said he could. Called me & tried to get me to pay $70 for a bottle!
If you don't want to or have the time to DIY you could get it here:
http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=1952
But I would still re-filter the stuff but I'm anal.
| RussL |
| (Music Maker) |
| 07/03/09 06:38 PM |
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Re: Cleaned corrector but got streaks.
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Had the same problem on my SCT. Sap, with pollen all around it. I tried Kodak cleaning fluid and got streaks. Tried 90% isopropyl and got streaks. By then I had gone through half a bag of cotton. Then, I breathed on the streaks and wiped. They disappeared. Don't worry about scratching, I wiped like a Neanderthal after awhile. I was sure I had ruined it, but all is well.
| gnowellsct |
| (professor emeritus) |
| 07/03/09 07:11 PM |
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Re: Cleaned corrector but got streaks.
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Purosol, Purosol, Purosol.
Green label. B&H optics. No streaks. A lot of the other formulations either have water or are hydrophilic and pull water out of the air. That's your streak. Breath moisture is OK too but to get it done, get Purosol.
And yes I tried Dr. Clay's. He's a great guy but I'm amazed he gets more publicity that the cleaning advice on the astro-physics home page.
Greg N
| JAT Observatory |
| (Got Cookies?) |
| 07/03/09 08:56 PM |
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Re: Cleaned corrector but got streaks.
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I never tried the Astro-Physics page and it may work, but I have tried Dr. Clay's. Like Russell I get tree sap and all sorts of stuff on my optics.
The first time I mixed up and used Clay's routine my optics were amazingly clean and streak free. I mixed enough of the stuff to last me a long time so I am in no hurry to try something else
