Bird poo on the lens!

[cfinn]

Hi all,

Seeking some advice please. A bird rather inconveniently decided to drop a nice package on my telescope lens last night. What would be the best way to clean this off? I have some Eclipse lens cleaning fluid, lint free cloths and a rocket blower. Anything else I might need?

Photo attached. Thank you in advance!

[AstroKeith]

Oh dear. At least its not too big.

First a very local attack on the poo. If its dried, then soften it first with fluid, but be very careful not to use too much such that it runs down the side of the lens.

Use cotton buds in that local area to remove the poo once soft. Repeat many times to totally remove poo, then clean whole lens as usual.

[cfinn]

2 minutes ago, AstroKeith said:

Oh dear. At least its not too big.

First a very local attack on the poo. If its dried, then soften it first with fluid, but be very careful not to use too much such that it runs down the side of the lens.

Use cotton buds in that local area to remove the poo once soft. Repeat many times to totally remove poo, then clean whole lens as usual.

Many thanks!

[Louis D]

Most importantly, don't wait.  It might damage your lens coatings.  I left bird poo on my car's clear coat finish for too long.  Its acidity ate right through it to the much harder color paint beneath.  It looks like a white-ish mess now because the clear coat is severely damaged.  I need to get a clear coat repair kit to fix that area.

[cfinn]

Cleaned up pretty well. Thank you for the advice! 

[AstroKeith]

Good job (it did need a clean anyway!)

[Clarkey]

6 hours ago, Louis D said:

Most importantly, don't wait.  It might damage your lens coatings.  I left bird poo on my car's clear coat finish for too long.  Its acidity ate right through it to the much harder color paint beneath.  It looks like a white-ish mess now because the clear coat is severely damaged.  I need to get a clear coat repair kit to fix that area

Oh dear. I think the outside of my car was last cleaned in 2022. I now consider it in 'dirt equilibrium'. I clean the lights now and again to stay legal😁

[Louis D]

4 minutes ago, Clarkey said:

Oh dear. I think the outside of my car was last cleaned in 2022. I now consider it in 'dirt equilibrium'. I clean the lights now and again to stay legal😁

Most dust and road grime is not that corrosive, so not a big concern to clean immediately in my experience.  Bird boo is the outlier.  It is highly acidic and therefore corrosive.

[Clarkey]

I also have bikes on the roof with oil etc dripping off them. But I also have two kids who can destroy anything from twenty paces. Beyond caring🙂

[globular]

Two kids = in built car washers.  Character building for them.

Edited August 13 by globular

[Ratlet]

11 hours ago, globular said:

Two kids = in build car washers.  Character building for them.

"Dad, I'm nearly finished the car, but I think I need a new Brillo Pad"

[globular]

16 hours ago, globular said:

Two kids = in built car washers.  Character building for them

5 hours ago, Ratlet said:

"Dad, I'm nearly finished the car, but I think I need a new Brillo Pad"

In that case, it's character building for Clarkey too 🤣

 

 

Edited August 13 by globular

[Clarkey]

5 hours ago, globular said:

In that case, it's character building for Clarkey too 🤣

Mmmm....

7 hours ago, Ratlet said:

"Dad, I'm nearly finished the car, but I think I need a new Brillo Pad"

"Dad, I'm nearly finished but the hammer's broken"