Mirror Cleaning - Revision history

WikiSysop: Methods of cleaning large telescope mirrors and other optics

2019-02-23T23:29:31Z

Methods of cleaning large telescope mirrors and other optics

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:29, 23 February 2019
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	#Begin in your upper left quadrant and gently daub (not rub) this section until you have generously smeared the cleaning solution across that area. The idea here is to move only the liquid across the surface to break the adhesion of film and dirt deposits against the glass. Proceed quickly to the next step.		#Begin in your upper left quadrant and gently daub (not rub) this section until you have generously smeared the cleaning solution across that area. The idea here is to move only the liquid across the surface to break the adhesion of film and dirt deposits against the glass. Proceed quickly to the next step.
	#Before the liquid begins to collect into large areas and before any drying takes place, immediately begin wiping the quadrant just soaked with Kleenex tissue to dry it. Pull the Kleenex across the surface in in one direction only letting surface tension of the cleaning agent remove the liquid from the surface. You will see any residual thin film of liquid rapidly drying behind the stroke of the Kleenex. Follow each swipe with another dry Kleenex tissue. Keep changing tissues promptly.		#Before the liquid begins to collect into large areas and before any drying takes place, immediately begin wiping the quadrant just soaked with Kleenex tissue to dry it. Pull the Kleenex across the surface in in one direction only letting surface tension of the cleaning agent remove the liquid from the surface. You will see any residual thin film of liquid rapidly drying behind the stroke of the Kleenex. Follow each swipe with another dry Kleenex tissue. Keep changing tissues promptly.
	#When entire quadrant is reasonably dry, buff gently with a totally dry Kleenex; repeat a second time with another Kleenex while gently ~~"puffing"~~ a ~~bit of~~ your breath against the ~~corrector plate or lens~~ to expose ~~possible areas of~~ streaking. Again, change the tissue constantly.		#When entire quadrant is reasonably dry, buff gently with a totally dry Kleenex; repeat a second time with another Kleenex while gently exhaling a your breath against the optical surface to expose residual spots and streaking. Again, change the tissue constantly.
	#Repeat same procedure on remaining three quadrants with a bit of overlap on each.		#Repeat same procedure on remaining three quadrants with a bit of overlap on each.
	#Check overlapped areas during cleaning and as needed use a fresh pad sprayed with a very small amount of cleaner. Swab touch-up areas nearly dry with just enough moisture to remove defects in cleaning.		#Check overlapped areas during cleaning and as needed use a fresh pad sprayed with a very small amount of cleaner. Swab touch-up areas nearly dry with just enough moisture to remove defects in cleaning.
	#Using your breath as a guide, gently use a pad and buff the final cleaned surface and remove residual spots and streaks.		#Using your breath as a guide, gently use a pad and buff the final cleaned surface and remove residual spots and streaks.
	#Optionally rinse as needed only if there are problem areas remaining after the previous work. For this wet a pad with rinse solution and cover a quadrant while following immediately to promptly ~~dry~~ as described above. After rinsing, buff entire surface as needed with a fresh ~~and dray~~ pad to finish.		#Optionally rinse as needed only if there are problem areas remaining after the previous work. For this wet a pad with rinse solution and cover a quadrant while following immediately to dry the surface promptly as described above. After rinsing, buff the entire surface as needed with a fresh dry pad to finish.

WikiSysop: Methods of cleaning large telescope mirrors and other optics

2019-02-23T23:27:31Z

Methods of cleaning large telescope mirrors and other optics

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:27, 23 February 2019
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	**1 ounce (30 ml) of filtered Windex		**1 ounce (30 ml) of filtered Windex
	**1.5 ounces (44 ml) of isopropanol		**1.5 ounces (44 ml) of isopropanol
	**~~Two~~ (!!) small drops (0,.1 ml) of Photo-Flo		**2 (!!) small drops (0.1 ml) of Photo-Flo
	*Stir gently and thoroughly and do not shake.		*Stir gently and thoroughly and do not shake.
	*Add 12 ounces (355 ml) of filtered distilled water.		*Add 12 ounces (355 ml) of filtered distilled water.
	*Pour liquid into a clean marked spray bottle for use.		*Pour liquid into a clean marked spray bottle for use.


			Rinse solution:

			*Add filtered distilled water to a clean quart (1 liter) container
			*Add only 2 drops (0.1 ml) of Photo-Flo and stir gently
			*Transfer mixed rinse solution to a second spray bottle

	Warnings:		Warnings:

WikiSysop: Methods of cleaning large telescope mirrors and other optics

2019-02-23T23:24:07Z

Methods of cleaning large telescope mirrors and other optics

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:24, 23 February 2019
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	#When entire quadrant is reasonably dry, buff gently with a totally dry Kleenex; repeat a second time with another Kleenex while gently "puffing" a bit of your breath against the corrector plate or lens to expose possible areas of streaking. Again, change the tissue constantly.		#When entire quadrant is reasonably dry, buff gently with a totally dry Kleenex; repeat a second time with another Kleenex while gently "puffing" a bit of your breath against the corrector plate or lens to expose possible areas of streaking. Again, change the tissue constantly.
	#Repeat same procedure on remaining three quadrants with a bit of overlap on each.		#Repeat same procedure on remaining three quadrants with a bit of overlap on each.
	#Check ~~each~~ areas ~~overlapped~~ during cleaning and as needed use a fresh pad sprayed with a very small amount of cleaner. Swab touch-up areas nearly dry with just enough moisture remove defects in cleaning.		#Check overlapped areas during cleaning and as needed use a fresh pad sprayed with a very small amount of cleaner. Swab touch-up areas nearly dry with just enough moisture to remove defects in cleaning.
	#Using your breath as a guide, gently use a ~~pado~~ buff the final cleaned surface and remove residual spots and streaks.		#Using your breath as a guide, gently use a pad and buff the final cleaned surface and remove residual spots and streaks.
	#Optionally rinse as needed only if there are problem areas remaining after the previous work. For this wet a pad with rinse solution and cover a quadrant while following immediately to promptly dry as described above. After rinsing, buff entire surface as needed with a fresh and dray pad to finish.		#Optionally rinse as needed only if there are problem areas remaining after the previous work. For this wet a pad with rinse solution and cover a quadrant while following immediately to promptly dry as described above. After rinsing, buff entire surface as needed with a fresh and dray pad to finish.

WikiSysop: Methods of cleaning large telescope mirrors and other optics

2019-02-23T23:22:07Z

Methods of cleaning large telescope mirrors and other optics

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:22, 23 February 2019
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	#Wet the cleaning pad with cleaning solution, not the glass surface. You want the pad wet, but not dripping; make sure you hold the pad only on one side and do not do not use the side where your fingers have been.		#Wet the cleaning pad with cleaning solution, not the glass surface. You want the pad wet, but not dripping; make sure you hold the pad only on one side and do not do not use the side where your fingers have been.
	#Begin in your upper left quadrant and gently daub (not rub) this section until you have generously smeared the cleaning solution across that area. The idea here is to move only the liquid across the surface to break the adhesion of film and dirt deposits against the glass. Proceed quickly to the next step.		#Begin in your upper left quadrant and gently daub (not rub) this section until you have generously smeared the cleaning solution across that area. The idea here is to move only the liquid across the surface to break the adhesion of film and dirt deposits against the glass. Proceed quickly to the next step.
	#Before the liquid begins to collect into large areas and before any drying takes place, immediately begin wiping the quadrant just soaked with Kleenex tissue to dry it		#Before the liquid begins to collect into large areas and before any drying takes place, immediately begin wiping the quadrant just soaked with Kleenex tissue to dry it. Pull the Kleenex across the surface in in one direction only letting surface tension of the cleaning agent remove the liquid from the surface. You will see any residual thin film of liquid rapidly drying behind the stroke of the Kleenex. Follow each swipe with another dry Kleenex tissue. Keep changing tissues promptly.
	Pull the Kleenex across the surface in in one direction only letting surface tension of the cleaning agent remove the liquid from the surface. You will see any residual thin film of liquid rapidly drying behind the stroke of the Kleenex. Follow each swipe with another dry Kleenex tissue. Keep changing tissues promptly.
	#When entire quadrant is reasonably dry, buff gently with a totally dry Kleenex; repeat a second time with another Kleenex while gently "puffing" a bit of your breath against the corrector plate or lens to expose possible areas of streaking. Again, change the tissue constantly.		#When entire quadrant is reasonably dry, buff gently with a totally dry Kleenex; repeat a second time with another Kleenex while gently "puffing" a bit of your breath against the corrector plate or lens to expose possible areas of streaking. Again, change the tissue constantly.
	#Repeat same procedure on remaining three quadrants with a bit of overlap on each.		#Repeat same procedure on remaining three quadrants with a bit of overlap on each.

WikiSysop: Methods of cleaning large telescope mirrors and other optics

2019-02-23T23:21:14Z

Methods of cleaning large telescope mirrors and other optics

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:21, 23 February 2019
Line 111:		Line 111:

	#Turn your telescope so that you are the optics head-on; you are not going to use so much liquid that you need to be worried about cleaning solution getting away from you and down inside the retaining rings of the optics. Make yourself comfortable....you may be here a while! I prefer placing the telescope if possible in a position where I can sit down to clean. You must have a small table or area within reach where you will have your cleaning pads, solutions and Kleenex waiting.		#Turn your telescope so that you are the optics head-on; you are not going to use so much liquid that you need to be worried about cleaning solution getting away from you and down inside the retaining rings of the optics. Make yourself comfortable....you may be here a while! I prefer placing the telescope if possible in a position where I can sit down to clean. You must have a small table or area within reach where you will have your cleaning pads, solutions and Kleenex waiting.

	#Imagine your optics in quadrants or quarters, like large sections of pie. You are going to begin at the top left and work your way down to the bottom left piece of pie.		#Imagine your optics in quadrants or quarters, like large sections of pie. You are going to begin at the top left and work your way down to the bottom left piece of pie.

	#Wet the cleaning pad with cleaning solution, not the glass surface. You want the pad wet, but not dripping; make sure you hold the pad only on one side and do not do not use the side where your fingers have been.		#Wet the cleaning pad with cleaning solution, not the glass surface. You want the pad wet, but not dripping; make sure you hold the pad only on one side and do not do not use the side where your fingers have been.

	#Begin in your upper left quadrant and gently daub (not rub) this section until you have generously smeared the cleaning solution across that area. The idea here is to move only the liquid across the surface to break the adhesion of film and dirt deposits against the glass. Proceed quickly to the next step.		#Begin in your upper left quadrant and gently daub (not rub) this section until you have generously smeared the cleaning solution across that area. The idea here is to move only the liquid across the surface to break the adhesion of film and dirt deposits against the glass. Proceed quickly to the next step.

	#Before the liquid begins to collect into large areas and before any drying takes place, immediately begin wiping the quadrant just soaked with Kleenex tissue to dry it		#Before the liquid begins to collect into large areas and before any drying takes place, immediately begin wiping the quadrant just soaked with Kleenex tissue to dry it
	~~Plull~~ the Kleenex across the surface in in one direction only letting surface tension of the cleaning agent remove the liquid from the surface. You will see any residual thin film of liquid rapidly drying behind the stroke of the Kleenex. Follow each swipe with another dry Kleenex tissue. Keep changing tissues promptly.		Pull the Kleenex across the surface in in one direction only letting surface tension of the cleaning agent remove the liquid from the surface. You will see any residual thin film of liquid rapidly drying behind the stroke of the Kleenex. Follow each swipe with another dry Kleenex tissue. Keep changing tissues promptly.

	#When entire quadrant is reasonably dry, buff gently with a totally dry Kleenex; repeat a second time with another Kleenex while gently "puffing" a bit of your breath against the corrector plate or lens to expose possible areas of streaking. Again, change the tissue constantly.		#When entire quadrant is reasonably dry, buff gently with a totally dry Kleenex; repeat a second time with another Kleenex while gently "puffing" a bit of your breath against the corrector plate or lens to expose possible areas of streaking. Again, change the tissue constantly.

	#Repeat same procedure on remaining three quadrants with a bit of overlap on each.		#Repeat same procedure on remaining three quadrants with a bit of overlap on each.

	#Check each areas overlapped during cleaning and as needed use a fresh pad sprayed with a very small amount of cleaner. Swab touch-up areas nearly dry with just enough moisture remove defects in cleaning.		#Check each areas overlapped during cleaning and as needed use a fresh pad sprayed with a very small amount of cleaner. Swab touch-up areas nearly dry with just enough moisture remove defects in cleaning.

	#Using your breath as a guide, gently use a pado buff the final cleaned surface and remove residual spots and streaks.		#Using your breath as a guide, gently use a pado buff the final cleaned surface and remove residual spots and streaks.

	#Optionally rinse as needed only if there are problem areas remaining after the previous work. For this wet a pad with rinse solution and cover a quadrant while following immediately to promptly dry as described above. After rinsing, buff entire surface as needed with a fresh and dray pad to finish.		#Optionally rinse as needed only if there are problem areas remaining after the previous work. For this wet a pad with rinse solution and cover a quadrant while following immediately to promptly dry as described above. After rinsing, buff entire surface as needed with a fresh and dray pad to finish.

WikiSysop: Methods of cleaning large telescope mirrors and other optics

2019-02-23T23:20:05Z

Methods of cleaning large telescope mirrors and other optics

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:20, 23 February 2019
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	*Never attempt to surface clean large optics when the humidity is above 65% or the slow drying may result in spotting and streaking requiring considerable touch up.		*Never attempt to surface clean large optics when the humidity is above 65% or the slow drying may result in spotting and streaking requiring considerable touch up.
	*Plan to use at least one tissue per inch of aperture being cleaned and always keep a dry tissue to the surface for best results. (Large apertures will require considerably more than the one per inch rule of thumb.)		*Plan to use at least one tissue per inch of aperture being cleaned and always keep a dry tissue to the surface for best results. (Large apertures will require considerably more than the one per inch rule of thumb.)
	*Make sure you have dusted ~~off~~ particles ~~from~~ the glass and nearby surfaces prior to wet cleaning.		*Make sure you have dusted particles off the glass and nearby surfaces prior to wet cleaning.

	Process:		Process:

WikiSysop: Methods of cleaning large telescope mirrors and other optics

2019-02-23T23:19:27Z

Methods of cleaning large telescope mirrors and other optics

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:19, 23 February 2019
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	**Two (!!) small drops (0,.1 ml) of Photo-Flo		**Two (!!) small drops (0,.1 ml) of Photo-Flo
	*Stir gently and thoroughly and do not shake.		*Stir gently and thoroughly and do not shake.
	*Add 12 ounces (355 ml) of distilled water.		*Add 12 ounces (355 ml) of filtered distilled water.
	*Pour liquid into a clean marked spray bottle for use.		*Pour liquid into a clean marked spray bottle for use.

WikiSysop: Methods of cleaning large telescope mirrors and other optics

2019-02-23T23:18:35Z

Methods of cleaning large telescope mirrors and other optics

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:18, 23 February 2019
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	*Spray bottle to dispense solutions onto cleaning pads		*Spray bottle to dispense solutions onto cleaning pads
	*Pure white Kleenex with no additives		*Pure white Kleenex with no additives
	*Synthetic cotton pads (not obviously identifiable now. See TEX wipes above for a better alternative.		*Synthetic cotton pads (not obviously identifiable now. See TEX wipes above for a better alternative.)

	Cleaning solution:		Cleaning solution:

WikiSysop: Methods of cleaning large telescope mirrors and other optics

2019-02-23T23:17:32Z

Methods of cleaning large telescope mirrors and other optics

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:17, 23 February 2019
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	*Clean optics only in the daytime with the optical surface "looking" out of a window or toward a bright open sky.		*Clean optics only in the daytime with the optical surface "looking" out of a window or toward a bright open sky.
	*Never attempt to surface clean large optics when the humidity is above 65% or ~~streaking will~~ result~~. if you attempt to clean your optics when the humidity is high, you will be very disappointed~~ in ~~the results~~.		*Never attempt to surface clean large optics when the humidity is above 65% or the slow drying may result in spotting and streaking requiring considerable touch up.
	*Plan to use at least one tissue per inch aperture being cleaned and always keep a dry tissue to the surface for best results.		*Plan to use at least one tissue per inch of aperture being cleaned and always keep a dry tissue to the surface for best results. (Large apertures will require considerably more than the one per inch rule of thumb.)
	*Make sure you have dusted off ~~the~~ particles from the glass and nearby surfaces prior to ~~further~~ cleaning.		*Make sure you have dusted off particles from the glass and nearby surfaces prior to wet cleaning.

	Process:		Process:

WikiSysop: Methods of cleaning large telescope mirrors and other optics

2019-02-23T23:13:17Z

Methods of cleaning large telescope mirrors and other optics

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:13, 23 February 2019
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	Photo-Flo was commonly available in the days of chemical photography for rinsing film and prints after processing to minimize water spottting. It is harder to find		Photo-Flo was commonly available in the days of chemical photography for rinsing film and prints after processing to minimize water spottting. It is harder to find
	now. If you follow the recipe at the ASO site, substituting a small amount of Dove liquid detergent for the Photo-Flo is a workable option. A final rinse with pure distilled water and judicious use of poofs of several ~~while~~ Kleenex tissues to pick up any residual drops may give a better result than leaving some residue from the Photo-Flo. The TX609 wipers will have more surface area and be easier to manage for a large mirror than Kleenex, and some generic white tissue may not be as lint and abrasive free as the tissue that was manufactured when the ASO established this protocol.		now. If you follow the recipe at the ASO site, substituting a small amount of Dove liquid detergent for the Photo-Flo is a workable option. A final rinse with pure distilled water and judicious use of poofs of several white Kleenex tissues to pick up any residual drops may give a better result than leaving some residue from the Photo-Flo. The TX609 wipers will have more surface area and be easier to manage for a large mirror than Kleenex, and some generic white tissue may not be as lint and abrasive free as the tissue that was manufactured when the ASO established this protocol.

	In the event the link to the ASO site is not available, here is a summary of the process abstracted from their page in February 2019.		In the event the link to the ASO site is not available, here is a summary of the process abstracted from their page in February 2019.