SometimesKen
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/15/05
Posts: 506
Loc: Bad Moon Observatory
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Hello AstroFanz,
After 2.5 years my ExploraDome needed a good cleaning already. I used a car wash detergent and car wash brush that took off most of the heavy dirt, but there was still areas that didn't come as clean as I wanted.
Considering low cost plastic domes have been available for a few years now I bet there's a lot of dirty domes out there and I can't be the only one to lazy to clean it more often. 
Anyone have a suggestion or recommendation for a cleaning product to use on the outside of a plastic dome?
Thanks for your help
Ken
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As the setting sun / melts below the horizon / the stars applaud her bow. ~W. Terrance~
Bad Moon Observatory - February 1, 2007
39° 54' N - 74° 09' W
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Spoonsize
Vendor/Clothing
Reged: 08/27/04
Posts: 3301
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Lestoil?
Tilex?
Heavy Duty Pressure Sprayer?
Marge?
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Steve Durham
www.margesmonograms.com
(Marge made me do it)
"Nobody get's in to see the WIZARD, Not Nobody, Not Nohow"
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Bob Griffiths
Postmaster
Reged: 10/10/05
Posts: 6592
Loc: Frederick Maryland
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If Marge is like my Barbara.... LOTS of LUCK !!!!!!
I used diluted simple green..sprayed it on pretty heavy with a spray bottle then let it set a few minutes and hosed it off... Did a fine job...
The dark green algea like stuff on the roof panels facing North took some old fashioned elbow grease...
Bob G.
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CPC1100
Nexstar 8i + GPS & Rays Brackets
Denk S1 power switch
Orion 100 mm Refractor
Meade LXD 55 ...AR-5 127 mm Refractor
Exploradome Observatory S.I.E. (Smiling Irish Eyes)
Gerbring Heated Motorcycle clothing in the winter
39*21'03" N
77*28'12" W
The sky over my head....
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Pedestal
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/11/06
Posts: 3860
Loc: Smoggy Bottom, Baytown,Texas
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You can buy pretty good cleaners at an RV store.
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Hubert
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www.smoggybottom.org
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ischua
Under the Radar
Reged: 07/17/08
Posts: 202
Loc: Below Snow Plop, N Y
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try bleach worked on my RV
when you do get it clean too help keep it that way
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/turtle-wax-ice-synthetic-liquid-polish/47605
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/product/303-aerospace-protectant/1941
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Mike
Meade 2080
and assorted parts
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Billydee
super member
Reged: 01/23/08
Posts: 186
Loc: Winter Haven, FL
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If it is mold, use a bathroom foaming spray mold cleaner. If after all else fails go to a small airport with a fixed base operation and ask what they use to clean the canopies of small planes (some canopies can cost $5000 so that stuff is good). They also make a big foam ball that goes on your drill and a liquid cleaner to take off the smokey look plastic get. They sell a kit to clean auto headlight lenses (works great).
Luck, Bill
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Bob Griffiths
Postmaster
Reged: 10/10/05
Posts: 6592
Loc: Frederick Maryland
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Bill:
The product used at airports to clean the Lexan plastic windshields is called Nexus Plastic polish... Comes in 3 different strengths (grits) Numbers 1, 2 and 3... 3 being the gritty stuff...
I been using it for the last 5-6 years ..not on airplanes but prep my Corvettes for car shows...The stuff will make taillight lenses sparkle and the same for glass (lexan) roof panels and for aluminum engine parts...
Too much work to use on a Dome however..
Bob G.
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CPC1100
Nexstar 8i + GPS & Rays Brackets
Denk S1 power switch
Orion 100 mm Refractor
Meade LXD 55 ...AR-5 127 mm Refractor
Exploradome Observatory S.I.E. (Smiling Irish Eyes)
Gerbring Heated Motorcycle clothing in the winter
39*21'03" N
77*28'12" W
The sky over my head....
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Scott Horstman
Vendor- Backyard Observatories
Reged: 03/11/04
Posts: 8074
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It's amazing how filthy a white dome will become just from the air and rain. Once or twice a year I'd have to take a bottle of Windex to the Sirius. Now with the Ash I haven't really noticed the dirt because of the color. I'm sure it needs a bath though.
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Dan McConaughy
member
Reged: 11/11/06
Posts: 83
Loc: LA
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I have a Sirius observatory and every few months I wash it with the orange cleaner I get from Home Depot by spraying it on and then using a mop to gently loosen more persistent dirt. Between washings, I hose it off every now and then.
I also use tile cleaner on it because here in S. CA., which is a desert, the water is hard and the lawn sprinklers have overspray that leaves mineral deposits on it.
Does anyone know of a good protectant or spray on wax for the domes?
Dan McConaughy
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16" F/12 R-C with optics figured by Paul Jones mounted on Byers Research Grade Series II mount with Gemini GOTO housed in 11.5' Sirius Observatory.
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SometimesKen
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/15/05
Posts: 506
Loc: Bad Moon Observatory
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Thank you for the suggestions.
I think I'll go for the "Marge", but I don't know where to order one. Hey Spoonsize, do you wanna share?
Thanks again,
Ken
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As the setting sun / melts below the horizon / the stars applaud her bow. ~W. Terrance~
Bad Moon Observatory - February 1, 2007
39° 54' N - 74° 09' W
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Restricted
member
Reged: 08/21/09
Posts: 10
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I think that it's made of HDPE, so just wash it well with soap and water, any household detergent will work, but don't use clotheswashing detergent, you want something that produces suds. After rinsing and drying, use a product like Armor All to improve the surface and protect it from UV. You don't have to wipe it after spraying if you choose not, but just be sure that it's completely coated. There are many products out there like Armor All, so you pick.
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CarolG
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 10/16/06
Posts: 829
Loc: Oklahoma
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All these suggestions are great! I probably will cleaning my dome sometime soon. I do have one question, though. Are any of these cleaners toxic to plants? The rinse water will be full of the cleaners, and I wouldn't want to kill the grass and flowers I have around my observatory.
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Carol
Cor Caroli Observatory
NS11 XLT w/ HyperStar
TV85 w/FeatherTouch/DM4/SC on a Scopebuggy
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Billydee
super member
Reged: 01/23/08
Posts: 186
Loc: Winter Haven, FL
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Bob G.
Google William Doskocz 1968 L-88 Corvette you will see my old 1968 L-88 that was sold at auction for $299,000 and I think it is now in Canada. One heck of a ride. I now drive 2 Porsches in my old age.
Bill
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Restricted
member
Reged: 08/21/09
Posts: 10
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I don't think that at the concentration levels needed to do moderate cleaning that they would have any adverse effects. It would also depend on the type of folage you have growing meaning it's sensitivity, but we are just talking about soap and water and just enough to make suds. If you have to use something like TSP (tri sodium phosphate) all bets are off.
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