optics cleaning

[LaNeK779]

can you recommend any way of properly cleaning sensitive glass optical parts and galvo mirrors without damaging the coatings? lenses, prisms etc

i have seen various first contact products, i have read about acetone and in general i am overflowing with info. all i am missing now is the end user-expert opinion


i suppose that spitting on it a little and cleaning it with the edge of your t shirt should not be discussed

[norty303]

I have no experience of anything else, but I use First Contact and am very happy with it.

It can be hard to remove, but I use good quality gaffa tape and have no problems. I'm sure thats cheaper than the 'proper' removal tabs they sell

[DjMagnus]

I also use First contact and its easy to use, I noticed that if it is hard to remove the "skin" you can just let it sit for a while longer. I've been using that white tape for sealing of things when you paint at home, dont know the english word for it

[norty303]

Masking tape....

[QUAZAR]

I like using IPA and lens tissue.

[Eidetic]

Methanol or acetone and lens paper?

[LaNeK779]

good good!!! three ways to do it. thanks to everyone that answer

[rfourt]

Now im confused. What do you guys use the tape for??

First contact? Any links to where this substanse is available ?
Thnx guys

Ps: I just had some experience from thorlabs cleAning swipes and cleaning liquid. we had a show last weekend and at the venue the doors where open to the outside. And this time of year it's cold here in Sweden. After a while I noticed that the beams we targeted on the newly cleaned 4x4 bounce mirrors where getting more and more blurry. After about 30 minutes in about 10 degree C. The cleaning liquid had some strange effect on the mirrors that where getting cold. So they where almost frosty. Its not often you have a gig where there is this cold perhaps but something to think about anyway

[LaNeK779]

Now im confused. What do you guys use the tape for??

First contact? Any links to where this substanse is available ?
Thnx guys

from what i understand, first contact has to be applied and then left to dry. this leaves a thin dry layer that has to be removed before having a laser beam hitting the optic. the best way to do it seems to be a small piece of sticky tape on an edge of the film

could it be that your cleaning fluid left some sort of similar residue on the mirrors? or was it condensation from the room liquidating on the bounce mirros maybe?

[taggalucci]

First contact? Any links to where this substanse is available ?

Yeah, try www.stanwax.co.uk