Need advise on cleaning...please help!

[kemikalembalance]

Ok, so you know why.
I had the pleasure of taking some reservists out to Mojave today, and "dusting off some cobwebs" before their qual. on Wednesday. I grabbed everything that was similar to the M16 that I owned and any optic that would do four power. They are shooting through the AGOG for the first time. Some of them where very timid whilst handling the rifle. Sooo...i demonstrated that they dont have to treat it like fine china, and i "dropped" a rifle in the dirt. From a distance. Yes it was unloaded. Then picked it up, shot three and demonstration over. The question is, now, how the hec do I clean this bad boy. Please dont criticize me for that. If it cant take a soft dirt landing, i cant count on it if SHTF. Thank you all in advance.photo 7.jpg

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[bug_eyedmonster]

When I have dust/sirt on the optics like this, I usually use a soft bristle paint brush to get it all off the body, and then go through everything with my compressor with the air nossle attached. Once I get as much of it off as possible, I use a lens pen to clean it off properly. From there, I clean the gun like normal. Most of the time, all that stuff just blows right out with the air nossle. As long as there wasn't any oil or anything that would keep it from just lifting off, you are fine.

Jerry

[Condorguns]

Agree 100%. Having the great joy (yeah just a bit of sarcasm there), of being a gunsmith in the middle of the effin desert I see this a lot. Blow sand, dust, and sand get everywhere...even on a good day. A soft brush and air are your best friend. If you know in advance you will be in these conditions I recommend making sure the outside of your weapon is dry before you go out. Go easy on the internal lube ( shiny not runny) on the inside). I have seen weapons that where wiped down with oil before shooting come back looking like a ball of dirt. This blow sand feels very fine, but I have seen it damage the finish, internals, and optics on weapons in one day of shooting.

Happy cleaning my friend

Torrey

When I have dust/sirt on the optics like this, I usually use a soft bristle paint brush to get it all off the body, and then go through everything with my compressor with the air nossle attached. Once I get as much of it off as possible, I use a lens pen to clean it off properly. From there, I clean the gun like normal. Most of the time, all that stuff just blows right out with the air nossle. As long as there wasn't any oil or anything that would keep it from just lifting off, you are fine.

Jerry

[kemikalembalance]

thank you both. when i take the turret off, what problems can be caused that may arise?

[bruce_ventura]

Be sure to brush all the grit out of crevices before hitting with compressed air. You can drive grit deeper into tight spaces, causing thus turrets to rub.

I highly recommend Lens Pens for cleaning lenses. Lens Pens include a brush on one end and a special felt pad on the other. Don't use cheap imitation products. Alternatively, Use 99% isopropyl alcohol (drug store) and quality lens tissue on the lenses. Hold folded lens tissue with plastic tweezers. Brush off al dirt first.


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[justbill5789]

Isopropyl alcohol is great for cleaning just glass surface. However, if the optics has any outside coating, the alcohol could remove the coating. I would check with the manufacturer first. Also, the alcohol dry out or harm the rubber gaskets, if that is what is being used to seal the glass to the body. I would exercise caution with any chemicals.

See video from Vortex Optics about cleaning. http://www.vortexoptics.com/content/...g_optic_lenses

[Black Majik]

Compressed air is my friend. However, when lightly spraying air onto the lens make sure it's spraying only air. After you feel the bottle start to get cold, stop. Let the bottle warm up again before you start otherwise you risk cracking the lens.

[bruce_ventura]

However, if the optics has any outside coating, the alcohol could remove the coating. I would check with the manufacturer first. Also, the alcohol dry out or harm the rubber gaskets, if that is what is being used to seal the glass to the body. I would exercise caution with any chemicals.

I've been in the optics industry for about 30 years. During that time 99% isopropyl alcohol has been the go-to solvent for cleaning optics, anti-reflection coated or not. It is the solvent used in most commercial lens cleaners.

If used with lens tissue it will not remove anti-reflection coatings. The solvent is applied to the tissue sparingly (one drop) and will not saturate or damage seal materials. Isopropyl alcohol is too polar to remove rubber plasticizers and "dry" out rubber o-ring seals. Wear latex inspection gloves when holding the lens tissue so you don't transfer skin contaminants to the lens.

Use isopropyl alcohol for cleaning optics at home, and a Lens Pen in the field. Isopropyl alcohol is less abrasive than a Lens Pen, but less convenient too.

Yes, do not use other solvents, especially ketones like acetone, on sport optics.

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[sk8804]

compressed air and elbow grease.

[kemikalembalance]

I've been in the optics industry for about 30 years. During that time 99% isopropyl alcohol has been the go-to solvent for cleaning optics, anti-reflection coated or not. It is the solvent used in most commercial lens cleaners.

If used with lens tissue it will not remove anti-reflection coatings. The solvent is applied to the tissue sparingly (one drop) and will not saturate or damage seal materials. Isopropyl alcohol is too polar to remove rubber plasticizers and "dry" out rubber o-ring seals. Wear latex inspection gloves when holding the lens tissue so you don't transfer skin contaminants to the lens.

Use isopropyl alcohol for cleaning optics at home, and a Lens Pen in the field. Isopropyl alcohol is less abrasive than a Lens Pen, but less convenient too.

Yes, do not use other solvents, especially ketones like acetone, on sport optics.

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K, sorry for a dumb question. But, what is a lens tissue? Are we talking the same ones that come with prescription glasses, or something else?

[bruce_ventura]

http://www.edmundoptics.com/products/displayproduct.cfm?productID=1954

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