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Footbag
sage
Reged: 04/13/09
Posts: 437
Loc: Scranton, PA
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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?
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Adam
Celestron CPC 800, Celestron HD Wedge
Hyperion 17mm, Celestron 40mm Plossl
WO 66, SSAG
Canon XS
Lackawanna Astronomical Society
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94bamf
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/15/08
Posts: 688
Loc: Kansas City,Mo
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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
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Telescopes:
Celestron C6 SCT on CG4 mount
Skywatcher 8 inch F/5 Newt on a GEM
Celestron 8 inch Starhopper Dob
Celestron Oynx 80ED
Celestron C130 Mak
Celestron C102HD
Binoculars:
Nikon 7x35 Action
Nikon 7x50 Action
Zen Ray Summit 10x42
Celestron 10x42 Noble
Orion 10x50 Scenix
Celestron 10x50 Noble
Pentax 12x50 PCF WP II
Celestron 15x70 Skymaster
Oberwerk 20x60
Zhumell 20x80
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Tom Andrews
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/25/07
Posts: 1000
Loc: Albuquerque, NM
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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.
--------------------
Tom
The Secret To Life:
Focus on what you have, not on what you don't;
Focus on what you can do, not on what you can't.
************************************************
2007 Discovery 12.5" PDHQ Split-Tube Dob w/manual setting circles/Telrad/Zhummel 8x50 RACI finder scope (*For Sale*)
Coulter Odessey 8" Dob
Celestron C11-SGT
Garrett Optical 15x70 Gemini Binoculars on homemade Parallelogram w/Setting Circles
The Albuquerque Astronomy Society (TAAS)
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Footbag
sage
Reged: 04/13/09
Posts: 437
Loc: Scranton, PA
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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.
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Adam
Celestron CPC 800, Celestron HD Wedge
Hyperion 17mm, Celestron 40mm Plossl
WO 66, SSAG
Canon XS
Lackawanna Astronomical Society
Edited by Footbag (07/03/09 08:43 AM)
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bcuddihee
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/04/06
Posts: 1395
Loc: Cincinnati Ohio
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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
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B Cuddihee
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1968 Jason Empire 60X700mm refractor (my buddy from way back)
Celestron Nexstar8SE aka "The Bumblebee",(there is no way this scope should perform as well as it does...but it does)
Feathertouch Microfocuser
Stellarvue 50mm "Sparrowhawk" finder
Denk bino's with Power x switch
Pair of Smart Astronomy 19 EF's (great ep's for binos)
Pair of Edmund 28 plossls
Pair of 18mm University Optics orthos
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JAT Observatory
Got Cookies?
Reged: 02/20/05
Posts: 6762
Loc: Eastern PA
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Follow Dr. Clay's Method to the letter and there'll be no streaks.
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-Marcus
The problem with free speech is even the stupid have a voice.
http://www.jatobservatory.org
Currently a SV102A, WO 66mm & 10" LX200GPS OTA on a Paramount ME
(these OTAs subject to change without notice)
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Tom Andrews
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/25/07
Posts: 1000
Loc: Albuquerque, NM
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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... 
--------------------
Tom
The Secret To Life:
Focus on what you have, not on what you don't;
Focus on what you can do, not on what you can't.
************************************************
2007 Discovery 12.5" PDHQ Split-Tube Dob w/manual setting circles/Telrad/Zhummel 8x50 RACI finder scope (*For Sale*)
Coulter Odessey 8" Dob
Celestron C11-SGT
Garrett Optical 15x70 Gemini Binoculars on homemade Parallelogram w/Setting Circles
The Albuquerque Astronomy Society (TAAS)
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desertrefugee
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/06/07
Posts: 1188
Loc: Arizona
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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.
--------------------
"Illimitable ocean, without bound, Without dimension, where length, breadth, and height, And time, and place are lost." - Milton
-Darrell
Reflectors - 76 to 254mm (f4.9 to f9.2)
Refractors - 50 to 120mm (f5 to f16.7)
Binoculars - 6x15 to 22x100
N. Phoenix, AZ
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GUNER
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/19/04
Posts: 1606
Loc: Bedminster,NJ USA
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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
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Thomas
17mm ETHOS NEAF Door Prize
THANK-YOU TELEVUE!!!!
12" SuperCharged LX-200 GPS
TAK SKY 90 on a Vixen Skypod
Stacked GOLD!PST/EXT-70AT/DSX-125
Infinity 2-1 CCD Camera with Lucam Recorder
Custom Scientific 1.25" LRGB filters
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Footbag
sage
Reged: 04/13/09
Posts: 437
Loc: Scranton, PA
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Thanks guys. I'll give Dr. Clays method a shot once I can get all of the ingredients together.
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Adam
Celestron CPC 800, Celestron HD Wedge
Hyperion 17mm, Celestron 40mm Plossl
WO 66, SSAG
Canon XS
Lackawanna Astronomical Society
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Midnight Dan
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/23/08
Posts: 2644
Loc: Brockport, NY
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I too use Dr. Clay's ArkSky Cleaning solutions and techniques. Works great!
-Dan
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Scopes: Celestron NexStar 8SE, Orion EON 72mm ED/APO, Orion ShortTube 80
Mounts: NexStar Alt/Az GoTo, Orion Astroview (EQ3) w/single axis drive
Eyepieces: Baader Hyperion 36mm (Aspheric), 21mm 13mm, 8mm, 5mm;
Other: 2x & 3x Barlow, 0.63x Focal Reducer, Dew-not strips, DewBuster controller, SQM Meter
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GUNER
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/19/04
Posts: 1606
Loc: Bedminster,NJ USA
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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.
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Thomas
17mm ETHOS NEAF Door Prize
THANK-YOU TELEVUE!!!!
12" SuperCharged LX-200 GPS
TAK SKY 90 on a Vixen Skypod
Stacked GOLD!PST/EXT-70AT/DSX-125
Infinity 2-1 CCD Camera with Lucam Recorder
Custom Scientific 1.25" LRGB filters
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RussL
Music Maker
Reged: 03/18/08
Posts: 1873
Loc: Cayce, SC
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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. 
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--Dawg, the Russell
"Akita mani yo." Observe everything as you walk. (--Lakota)
Celestron Celestar 8 Standard SCT, f10
Celestron 80mm Wide View ref., f5
Orion 120ST ref., f5
Criterion RV-6 Dynascope, Newt., f8, (c. 1962)
Sears Discoverer 60mm ref., f7, (c. 1973)
Celestron Ultima DX 10x50, 6.5 TFOV
Tasco 7x35 wide
Several mediocre eyepieces
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gnowellsct
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/24/09
Posts: 618
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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
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"Aperture will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no aperture."
featuring selected astrojunk:
bunch o' widefield eyepieces
bunch o' narrowfield eyepieces
couple o' Barlows
couple o' scopes
couple o' mounts
couple o' tripods
and a pier 'n' stuff
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JAT Observatory
Got Cookies?
Reged: 02/20/05
Posts: 6762
Loc: Eastern PA
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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 
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-Marcus
The problem with free speech is even the stupid have a voice.
http://www.jatobservatory.org
Currently a SV102A, WO 66mm & 10" LX200GPS OTA on a Paramount ME
(these OTAs subject to change without notice)
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