Methylated spirits for cleaning scope lens???

sako75 hunter

Hey guys. im having a bit of bother in finding out the best way to keep the lens of my scope and binoculars clean. I went into a chemist today to see if anyone there would have any idea in what would be suitable. I was told to put a drop of methylated spirits on a soft cloth and gently rub on the lens. Havnt done it yet but would be greatfull to anyone who knows if this would be a good idea or a bad idea, thanks.:D

dicky82

what about getting some cleaning spray from vision express for glasses etc. .

no doubt someone will say 'shoulda gone to specks savers':D

johngalway

Lens pen, but make very very sure to brush the lens out first (and again turned upside down), as grit/sand/etc. under the pen will scratch the lens.

sako75 hunter

Thanks john, do you know where i can get one?

johngalway

Google, or any half decent shooting shop should have one. Camera shops might also have them. I got mine in Athlone, use it on my scopes, bins and rangefinder, works well enough for me.

clivej

After Johns good advice I use the lens/specs cleaner that comes in a box of individual rip off packs from Lidl.
W5 Spectacle cleaning cloths.

stevoman

vinegar will do the job. i have a 2 year old girl who loves tp paw my lcd television everytime i leave the room and it cleans grime off straight away safely and cleanely. try it out. i use it on windows and everything.

johngalway

If it was my glass, I would do a lot of Googling about cleaning and lens coatings, to see if there are problems with one thing or another. Yes, I am paranoid about damaging them.

Half-cocked

As some one who accidentaly scoured the front element of an expensive spotting scope and wrecked a good 77mm UV camera lens filter (:eek:), I would now recommend single use lint free lens cleaning tissues. Don't be tempted to reuse a cleaning cloth - if it has picked up a bit of grit it'll scratch the glass and any special coatings on it. Just breath on the lens if it needs a bit of moisture, if you need heavier solvent, alcahol or ethanol are good. I haven't wrecked anything since I started using the disposable tissues and I have a lot of stuff that needs regular cleaning - spotting scope, riflescope and 7 camera lenses. Keep the packet of tissues in a ziplock bag to keep them grit free.

meathstevie

Distilled water ( no solids in it ) and a good piece of fresh soft cleaning cloth.