mirror cleaning

[jimmyjamjoejoe]

Mine has picked up some dust flecks and a hair or two... No idea how because i keep both ends covered when not in use. Either way, i'm a lot less miffed about them after seeing the pics of that 20" newt on TV lol

[perrin6]

Just out of interest, do you live near a restaurant? It may be condensed oil droplets from their kitchen.

Good thinking but there's no restaraunt near me. My theory is that it's from a bush in the garden or a particular tree but don't know how to test this.

[perrin6]

I suppose I could lick my mirrors to see what the mysterious substance tastes like (don't try that at home children!)

[MikeD]

dont clean mirrors , ever , unless there is a big piece of stuff stuck to it , dont clean because its dusty , dont clean because it has water marks .... dont clean because it seems like a good idea ...

just dont do it , anyone who cleans thier mirrors regularly is damaging the surface/coatings .

there is some good info on the ziess website , when one of the main mirror makers was asked his opinion on how to clean a mirror or lens (this guy is 77 years old he has made the best opitics in the world for over 60 years ) he said the only thing that should ever touch a lens or mirror is a huff (exhaled breath) .

but im sure some of you know better

I am no expert but I am pretty sure I would have noticed a greater difference if I hadn't cleaned my mirror in the last eight years than the completely undetectable difference that cleaning my mirror once a year for eight years has caused.

Mike.

[knobby]

I suppose I could lick my mirrors to see what the mysterious substance tastes like (don't try that at home children!)

beat me to it ... cant beat the good old taste test

[knobby]

I cleaned mine after reading this thread

oh now i'm scared, what have i started

[Tribal-Wolf]

Well I nearly got my head stuck trying to get close enough to Huff on my mirror.

I will clean my mirror only if it gets so bad I can't see the centre spot.

[E621Keith]

Good thinking but there's no restaraunt near me. My theory is that it's from a bush in the garden or a particular tree but don't know how to test this.

Just a thought, have you consider building a full aperture protection filter with some Baader Turbo film?

First Light Optics - Baader TurboFilm (clear) 1.27m x 0.51m

It's like the baader solar film, only totally transparent.

[Moonshane]

for normal grime and dust you can clean a mirror without touching the surface using a bowl of warm slightly soapy water to soak it, a shower head to rinse off and then RVO (fish tank) water to do a final rinse. touch off any stubborn drips with the corner of a tissue.

Alan's residue is a bit different and he has a truss dob of course. I also suspect it's tree sap maybe or similar.

[perrin6]

Just a thought, have you consider building a full aperture protection filter with some Baader Turbo film?

First Light Optics - Baader TurboFilm (clear) 1.27m x 0.51m

It's like the baader solar film, only totally transparent.

Good idea, but this would effect air circulation which is needed for the mirrors to reach the same temperature as the atmosphere unless I could attach the film directly to the mirror. Might be worth thinking more on. Cheers.

[S1m0n]

just remember if you break your telescope mirror you dont just get 7 years bad luck you get 7 x maximum magnifaction of your scope bad luck.

Also use andrex soft toilet paper

All seriousness though can you get your mirror and optics professionally cleaned if needed ?