Baader optical wonder fluid?

[Chris H]

I bought some Baader optical wonder fluid and micro-fibre cloth from FLO for my eyepieces now I've got it I'm not 100% sure how I should use it. I'm thinking of first blowing off the ep lens surface then using the fluid with some Q-tips. Is this ok? Or is there a better way?

[brantuk]

Those Q-tips look soft and fluffy but beware - the stick can poke out of the end of them and scratch the ep. I'd avoid them totally and stick with the cloth. Certainly wouldn't risk it on those TV's ya got there

[Tantalus]

I read recently that someone makes some spray-on stuff that you allow to dry and peel off. Can't remember the name of it though - might be worth a google

[Doc]

Yep just spray and wipe with the cloth.

[John]

I recently bought the same kit. Firstly I won't use Q-tips on lenses any more - I had a bad experience with a nice TAL 25mm plossl a couple of years ago which messed it up

What I do is, blow all the dust and debris of the lens first. Then spray a small patch of fluid onto the micro-fibre cloth (a damp patch, not a swamp !) , then gently wipe the lens with that portion of the cloth. The fluid does it's work then quickly evaporates off. If necessary I can then wipe again with an un-dampened portion of the cloth.

I recently cleaned my Naglers and Ethos like this and they have come up like new

[johninderby]

Yes, never ever use Q-tips to clean eyepieces, and as mentioned previously never spray directly onto the eyepiece lens as some of the fluid could run inside the eyepiece.

Baader also recommends that after cleaning with the microfiber cloth breathe gently on the lens and wipe it over again.

Great stuff though and the only thing that I'll use on my eyepieces.

John

[pvaz]

I use the baader fluid and cloth to clean all my EPs using exactly the same method explained before.

Works great, they get clean with no signs of damage.

[Tantalus]

Knew I'd seen it somewhere, PEEL-OFF stuff in this thread:- http://stargazerslounge.com/equipment-help/100379-whats-best-cleaning-corrector-plate.html . Vendor here:- Photonic Cleaning Technologies.

Also read that NASA and film industry use Pancro, but can't find a UK supplier.

[yeti monster]

Has anyone tried the lens pens? I think it was Astro Baby who mentioned them, I've ordered one, and a hurricane blower, I'm sure the lens pen is ok, but I'd rather learn from someone elses past experience, if they are a bad idea.

[johninderby]

The hurricane blower is essential, but I found that the lens pens have a limited life span and the tip starts breaking up and leaving little black bits behind after awhile. So with lens pens as soon as you see any bits coming off replace the pen.

John

[Chris H]

Ok thanks for that, I'm just a bit wary of doing some damage to my ep's (read about Q-tips in the back yard astronomer's guide) is there a particular way I should rub the cloth on the lens like a circular action or wiping outward from the center or some other way?

[yeti monster]

The hurricane blower is essential,

Good job I managed to buy 2 by mistake then eh?

The pen has a brush, so at least that bit will last, hopefully.

[Beulah]

I use the brush end of the lens pen (other end has indeed, dropped off), a bottle of Lensbright from Specsavers and their very best microfibre cleaning cloths....

[Parallax]

Here you go.

Steve