De-Ionized water?

[johnkirkpatrick]

I have just bought some as I am finding it hard to find distilled water for cleaning my primary mirror. Is the De-Ionized water safe to use? (Battery top-up water from Halfords)

[MG1]

Hi John, I managed to source some distilled water and IPA from a local chemist....although they did look at me as though I was a druggy/terrorist!

Maplins also have IPA...I've used a 50/50 mix on my lenses and scope without any issues.

Applied and removed with surgical BP cotton wool again sourced from chemists. (obviously after using a blower to remove any particulate matter and dust that might otherwise scratch)

Hth

[brianb]

Is the De-Ionized water safe to use? (Battery top-up water from Halfords)

Well I wouldn't ... You can make distilled water easily enough, the vapour that comes off a boiling kettle is pure water & if condensed onto a clean surface what runs off is distilled water. De-ionised (or demineralised) water is chemically neutral but not free of contaminants ... in fact all that's needed for battery top-up water is a lack of sulphate ions.