What do you all use to clean optics?

[Conceyted]

Well, I have taken my eotech out to shoot a few times now and each time I noticed a little oil and dirt on the lens after shooting. I have some lens cloths safe for AR coating on eyeglasses that I use on my eyeglasses and I have been using those. I question it though, because Eotech's manual states never to clean the optics dry and always use wet solution. Any decent optics cleaning kits or tools I can put together to treat my Eotech with utmost care?

 

[El Rubio]

I use a product called Clear Horizons Made by Island Girl Products I purchased this a few years ago as part of a kit to protect the gelcoat on my boat. It's designed to clarify glass and clear plastic surfaces by filling in the microscopic pits and scratches without damaging any existing coatings. I have used on eyeglasses, camera lenses, and the lexan windows on the boat with very good results.

 

[topgunz1]

I've used those eyeglass cloths on mine for a few years with no problems.

 

[CajunTim]

I use lens and screen wipes. They look like a single use alcohol swab. Manufactured for Petragon, Inc and resupplied by Cintas

 

[Richard in LA]

They are less than $10. Buy one and keep it in your range bag/gun case.

 

[TDH]

They are less than $10. Buy one and keep it in your range bag/gun case.

Or buy a scope worth cleaning and it comes with one

 

[Ritten]

As per the USO instructions I just so happen to have laying on my desk...


To clean dust off the lense use a blow bulb, clean compressed air at low pressure or an artists camel hair (or similar) brush.

If you HAVE to clean your lenses, use lint-free surgical Q-tips or swabs and fresh filtered acetone. Pour a little acetone in a ceramic or clean metal cup (acetone will melt plastic). Dip the swab in the acetone and make a clean circular pass starting at the center of the lens. Throw the swab away (don't dip back in the acetone because it will contaminate the acetone and the surface of the lens), and with another fresh swab, repeat the process until the lens is absolutely clean. Do not rub or scrub with a scrubbing motion, make a pass and with a clean acetone soaked swab, repeat the operation.

 

[DWT]

Part of my job involves cleaning medical optics. All the manufacturers recommend denatured alcohol or acetone because they leave no film or haze.

 

[Conceyted]

Part of my job involves cleaning medical optics. All the manufacturers recommend denatured alcohol or acetone because they leave no film or haze.

Eotech's manual tells you NOt to use either of those.

MAINTENANCE AND CARE
Your HWS is a precision instrument that deserves reasonably cautious care. The
following tips are provided to ensure long lasting use of the sight.
1. The optical system and the window are coated with anti-reflection material.
When cleaning the glass surfaces, first blow away any dirt and dust. Fingerprints
and lubricants can be wiped off with lens tissue or a soft cotton cloth, moistened
with lenscleaning fluid or glass cleaner sold in any camera store.
Never clean the glass surface with a dry cloth or paper towel; always dampen
the glass surfaces prior to cleaning
2. All moving parts of the sight are permanently lubricated. Do not try to
lubricate them.
3. No maintenance is needed on the sight’s surface, except to occasionally wipe
off with a soft cloth. Use only a water-based cleaner such as glass cleaner,
ammonia, or soap and water. Never use any solvent-type cleaner such as
alcohol or acetone.
4. Never disassemble the sight’s optical assembly. The optical cavity is purged,
nitrogen filled, and sealed to achieve fog proof performance. Disassembly
will void the warranty.

That is why I was so unsure about what to buy and use on my optics.

 

[Bearco]

I use LCD screen cleaner with and LCD or sunglass cleaning cloth. Initial pass being very wet. (A lens pen in the field, or a shirt tale if nothing else)

 

[Ritten]

Eotech's manual tells you NOt to use either of those.

Are the lenses on Eotechs glass or plastic? If they, or any part of the housing, are plastic then that is most likely the reason for using a waterbased cleaner.

 

[Conceyted]

Are the lenses on Eotechs glass or plastic? If they, or any part of the housing, are plastic then that is most likely the reason for using a waterbased cleaner.

The lenses appear to be glass with an anti-reflective coating applied to them. Surrounding areas are all metal as far as I can tell.