17 replies to this topic

[Universe XY]

Did a light cleaning of the tube & dew shield. I was wondering is a light coat of wax would benefit protection of the paint?

I suppose any good not to abrasive cleaning car wax would work but it there any favorite/good wax that will put on a nice protection & not yellow over time?

 

I was interested in knowing what is the best way to care for the the enamel on the tube & metals.care.

 

Thanks

 

[CHASLX200]

Depends on the kind of tube and paint. 

[scout]

I've never put any wax or protectant on any of my telescopes over the decades.

 

I have a 65-year-old refractor with paint that still looks shiny and relatively new except for some scratches. Just give it a nice dusting every once in a while and maybe wipe off dew on the tube at the end of the night and the paint should last long past your own lifespan.

[Universe XY]

Thanks, just trying to keep things nice.

 

Not powder coated. 

 

I think the old classics were a sort of enamel?

 

Thinking about the Monolux 60X 910mm long tube. There are a few pinpoint flecks where it was kicked to the metal.

Almost need a magnifying glass to see. Just want to make it pristine.

Edited by Universe XY, 27 February 2025 - 08:07 PM.

[ngc7319_20]

I've sometimes used Butchers Bowling Alley or MinWax paste wax on scope exteriors.  It can help to liven-up faded / dull paint.   I would avoid abrasives or silicones.   Can't say if it will "yellow" over time -- I've certainly seen unprotected paint yellowing.    Waxes will very slowly evaporate, and will need to be re-applied every couple years.  You wouldn't want it to get on the optics, but it could be cleaned off.

[JerryStellar]

I’d say keep it simple. I bought a used refractor and it had visible dirt in a few areas from normal handling. Warm water wipe followed by Mother’s chrome polish.. small amounts with light circular pressure did wonders.

  If I’m not Dealing with a dirt covered ota, I prefer to use a beeswax/ mineral oil mix after doing a lite cleaning. I am a beekeeper so I have beeswax readily available.

[jimeh]

Wax prevents oxidation and some waxes have UV inhibitors. If you tend to leave your scope out for multiple days (I do when the weather is going to be nice for a while), a coat of wax will help protect the finish. Collinite fleetwax 885 is the standard for aeronautical and marine applications and works well for scopes, too. Caranauba waxes evaporate quickly and offer little protection.

 

Waxing a scope, especially with 885, can make the scope harder to hold/carry securely.

[Universe XY]

I’d say keep it simple. I bought a used refractor and it had visible dirt in a few areas from normal handling. Warm water wipe followed by Mother’s chrome polish.. small amounts with light circular pressure did wonders.

  If I’m not Dealing with a dirt covered ota, I prefer to use a beeswax/ mineral oil mix after doing a lite cleaning. I am a beekeeper so I have beeswax readily available.

Found this old thread.

 

I have Mothers Chrome polish & should have Maguire's Gold class somewhere in the car that have not run in at least 5 years.

 

I was looking to buy some renaissance wax. I could use that on my guitars.\

 

Beeswax might attract particles.

 

I just noticed that the finder is more pristine white than the scope. I cleaned it lightly with a cotton wrag with just water. It's not really dirty.

[Universe XY]

Wax prevents oxidation and some waxes have UV inhibitors. If you tend to leave your scope out for multiple days (I do when the weather is going to be nice for a while), a coat of wax will help protect the finish. Collinite fleetwax 885 is the standard for aeronautical and marine applications and works well for scopes, too. Caranauba waxes evaporate quickly and offer little protection.

 

Waxing a scope, especially with 885, can make the scope harder to hold/carry securely.

Might try the aeronautical. If it keeps the plane spiffy then the telescope should be fine.

[Kasmos]

I use automotive polishing compound to remove surface scratches and scuffs on neglectited scopes I've restored and they shine up nice. I usually don't wax them afterwards. Unlike wax, you can touch up the paint afterwards as long as you make sure you wipe it completely off. IMO, wax isn't necessary since unlike a car they aren't as exposed to prolonged wet and dry cycles and the Sun (UV). 

[CHASLX200]

I never keep anything long enough other than dust off a OTA. The black C102 i would clean since is showed hand prints.

[LDW47]

Nothing, even on the cheaper scopes the finish is usually pretty tough. I have refractors that are classics, some have small chips, I leave them alone, its the nature of the beast, in my book !  Its all part of their history.  WAX, really !

Edited by LDW47, 28 February 2025 - 09:46 AM.

[starman876]

Like what has  been stated before rubbing compound works wonders on the paint. There are two kinds in most automotive stores. The heavy  duty and the polishing type.  Can make an old scope look brand new.  A layer of automotive wax afterwards also does wonders.  

[LDW47]

Polishing, waxing, cleaning, on and on, opens a can of worms for many fanatics, do it once and they are out doing it every sunny day, lol. Just like an old car, eh. But if it makes you feel necessary then go for it, right ! Leave them alone as time passes and it just lends some character to their life travels, in this astro universe.

[deSitter]

I’d say keep it simple. I bought a used refractor and it had visible dirt in a few areas from normal handling. Warm water wipe followed by Mother’s chrome polish.. small amounts with light circular pressure did wonders.

  If I’m not Dealing with a dirt covered ota, I prefer to use a beeswax/ mineral oil mix after doing a lite cleaning. I am a beekeeper so I have beeswax readily available.

I picked up a scope that was heavily oxidized stem to stern. I went at the dull paint with cerium oxide optical polishing compound. This is meant for glass of course - but it worked beautifully, and QUICKLY, to restore the luster to the paint!

 

-drl

[LDW47]

I picked up a scope that was heavily oxidized stem to stern. I went at the dull paint with cerium oxide optical polishing compound. This is meant for glass of course - but it worked beautifully, and QUICKLY, to restore the luster to the paint!

 

-drl

I really don't think the OP had that type of cleaning situation, eh.  If they did they should have explained and got different responses, ya think.

[YourNotSirius]

Mother's Mag & Aluminum Polish, some elbow grease and Mother's California Gold Brazilian Carnauba Paste Cleaner Wax OR, as noted above, Aviation Paste Wax. Polish the OTA, wipe it down with a GOOD degreaser and wax remover then apply the wax. Let it dry thoroughly and wipe to a polish. (Don't bother with any of the spray on crap. It's garbage.) That should last for at least six months to a year, or more. It all depends upon how much you handle it.

 

Figure this, if it works for airplanes and trailer queens (a.k.a show cars that never see the road.) and general street machines, then it will certainly do well for any telescope.

 

FWIW

 

Q

[LDW47]

Mother's Mag & Aluminum Polish, some elbow grease and Mother's California Gold Brazilian Carnauba Paste Cleaner Wax OR, as noted above, Aviation Paste Wax. Polish the OTA, wipe it down with a GOOD degreaser and wax remover then apply the wax. Let it dry thoroughly and wipe to a polish. (Don't bother with any of the spray on crap. It's garbage.) That should last for at least six months to a year, or more. It all depends upon how much you handle it.

 

Figure this, if it works for airplanes and trailer queens (a.k.a show cars that never see the road.) and general street machines, then it will certainly do well for any telescope.

 

FWIW

 

Q

The only difference is you don't have to worry about getting that ...... on a front telescope lens that is close by, right. It can sure as hell happen fast, ya think.