Cleaning The Lens

[lonewolf1503560131]

Hey Guys,

I know there was a topic on this a little while ago, but i had come across a new idea and wanted to know if it will work or if it will damage / is bad for the lens. I was using a can of compressed air to clean my pc the other day and then i thought i wonder if this will work on the projector lens. Didnt have the guts to try it out without getting some views on it first. I know the no.1 advantage of it on the pc is that you dont make contact with the pc parts like you would with brushes or anything else. I was thinking this would be the same advantage of it on a lens, except i wasnt sure if it would be too much force on the lens or even if compressed air has anything else in it that could damage the lens?

[Riv39]

Hey Guys,

I know there was a topic on this a little while ago, but i had come across a new idea and wanted to know if it will work or if it will damage / is bad for the lens. I was using a can of compressed air to clean my pc the other day and then i thought i wonder if this will work on the projector lens. Didnt have the guts to try it out without getting some views on it first. I know the no.1 advantage of it on the pc is that you dont make contact with the pc parts like you would with brushes or anything else. I was thinking this would be the same advantage of it on a lens, except i wasnt sure if it would be too much force on the lens or even if compressed air has anything else in it that could damage the lens?

I would not be comfortable with a normal compressor even if you have an oil trap fitted as I believe there can still be fine particles present (that said I do use mine for cleaning my PC). Possibly canned air used for electronics would be an option however you would need to check the propellant. I use a lens brush with the vacuum going nearby myself.

Edited June 15, 2010 by Riv39

[EasterBunny]

Hey Guys,

I know there was a topic on this a little while ago, but i had come across a new idea and wanted to know if it will work or if it will damage / is bad for the lens. I was using a can of compressed air to clean my pc the other day and then i thought i wonder if this will work on the projector lens. Didnt have the guts to try it out without getting some views on it first. I know the no.1 advantage of it on the pc is that you dont make contact with the pc parts like you would with brushes or anything else. I was thinking this would be the same advantage of it on a lens, except i wasnt sure if it would be too much force on the lens or even if compressed air has anything else in it that could damage the lens?

As long as it's moisture free, zero residue, inert gas then it should be fine for removing dust from a lens.

[Tweet]

A normal lens cleaning kit is perfectly adequate for the job.

A projection lens with the odd dust particle on it produces no discernible difference in the projected image as the contamination is entirely out of focus with the image. This is often the case with dust blobs.

C.M

[lonewolf1503560131]

Where can i get a lens cleaning kit? I saw a LCD cleaning kit, but i wasnt sure if that would do the job. I was told you shouldnt use a lot of the LCD cleaning kits on Plasma because of the fluids that can do damage to the plasma screen. Hence i thought maybe not safe for the projector lens either? I thought about using the cleaning cloths that come with my glasses but even with them i was worried of damage to the lens? I know my glasses over time does get small scratch marks on it.

[bbar]

Where can i get a lens cleaning kit? I saw a LCD cleaning kit, but i wasnt sure if that would do the job. I was told you shouldnt use a lot of the LCD cleaning kits on Plasma because of the fluids that can do damage to the plasma screen. Hence i thought maybe not safe for the projector lens either? I thought about using the cleaning cloths that come with my glasses but even with them i was worried of damage to the lens? I know my glasses over time does get small scratch marks on it.

Camera shop should have them

[lonewolf1503560131]

Looking further at the Air duster i have, I think i it may have some liquid in it, hence i get the feeling it may not be safe for the lens. Will have to get a proper kit i guess

[stevenkelby]

I wouldn't use even the cleanest air as it will blow dust around and possibly inside of the projector, causing a blob of dust inside the machine where it's harder to remove.

The liquid in the can is propellant and evaporates on spraying though, so that would be ok. Still wouldn't do it.

I use a camera lens cloth and very lightly wipe it, no fluid. Or a new microfibbre cloth. If there were finger prints I would use camera lens cleaning fluid.

[lonewolf1503560131]

Looks like camera shop it is then, I will go get some cleaning cloth and fluid from there. In the meantime can i use the microfibre type cloth that comes with my glasses?

[Highjinx]

There is a paint on lens cleaner, used for high end optics, one paints it on and peels it off once dry, quite expensive. Pink in colour so one can see if all the 'stuff' has peeled off along with finger prints and dust etc.

[Highjinx]

See here: Link

......and here :Opticlean I believe the latest version has a pink dye added to it.

[collinhack]

I never clean my lens, I just replace it if I notice dust on it.

[stevenkelby]

In the meantime can i use the microfibre type cloth that comes with my glasses?

Yes it will be fine, just do it lightly

[Highjinx]

The Pink Stuff Edited June 20, 2010 by Highjinx

[Highjinx]

I never clean my lens, I just replace it if I notice dust on it.

.........the projector as well no doubt!

So I guess the TW2000 has been replaced.

The Pink Stuff

[lonewolf1503560131]

Damn now i am scared to even use my microfibre cloth from my glasses after reading those links. Apparently even they can cause damage if there are particles already present, Some users on those links mention using blowers or your own breath to get the larger particles off before you make contact with cloths.