Wash, flock and focuser.

[Mr Fiery Jack]

I had a look at my mirror today, its a little grubby, but then it is 8 years old. I thought its perhaps time to give it a clean. After thinking about this for awhile I thought if I was going to take the primary I might as well flock the tube, well I might as well. I had a think about this for a bit longer and thought if I was going to flock the tube I might as well upgrade the focuser. The focuser is 1.25. I thought about this and decided drilling a hole big enough for a 2 inch was a step to far. Can anyone recommend a 1.25 upgrade... I must stop thinking.

[Mr Q]

"grubby" mirrors can be so non-discriptive since even a moderately dirty mirror can still produce good views. If you could post a pic of the mirror reflecting daylight, that may help to determine if it does need cleaning.

If you do remove the mirror cell, put a mark next to one mounting screw and on the tube next to the screw so that you won't upset the scope's collimation when installing the mirror cel back onto the tube.

Flocking the tube is a good idea to improve contrast for faint objects.

The focuser? I have suspicions about having to also change the secondary also but since Ive' never done such a mod, hopefully someone else will offer their expertise.

[nightfisher]

Carl, if you clean the mirror, remember to rinse with proper distilled water, not deionised stuff from car shops

[jimmyjamjoejoe]

Reverse osmosis filtered water (or r/o water) can be had from a local aquarium supply place, much cheaper than distilled water and just as good.

[Mr Fiery Jack]

Carl, if you clean the mirror, remember to rinse with proper distilled water, not deionised stuff from car shops

Indeed I will Jules.