How do you clean your scopes?

[ATbuckhunter]

So how do you clean your scopes? Looks like I have some dust on my scope that id like to clean. I took a lens brush and took some off, but there are some stubborn particles there. I read a lot of conflicting ways to clean the scope but I hear that microfiber cloths and possibly some kind of solvent (like soap and water) should be used. 

[Five Seasons]

Microfiber cloth for me. A tiny, tiny bit of water on the cloth if there's something stubborn. A few of my scopes have flip up lens covers that help keep them clean in the field too.

[Lawdwaz]

Lens pen by Leupold. I've heard negative things about them but I've been pretty happy with the performance. Ive used them for probably 15 years or so.

I have a bunch of them stashed here and there. IIRC Cabela's used to send them free with a scope??

Edited December 5, 2015 by Lawdwaz

[BizCT]

Little air brush thingy. You squeeze it and a little air comes out. Has brush on end too.

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Edited December 5, 2015 by Biz-R-OWorld

[ATbuckhunter]

Lens pen by Leupold. I've heard negative things about them but I've been pretty happy with the performance. Ive used them for probably 15 years or so.

I have a bunch of them stashed here and there. IIRC Cabela's used to send them free with a scope??

 

 

Little air brush thingy. You squeeze it and a little air comes out. Has brush on end too.

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I've used it already. I read the manual from Nikon and they say to use some guaze or lens paper cleaner along with a small quantity of absolute alcohol.

[BizCT]

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[ATbuckhunter]

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1449282859.219951.jpg

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That's the exact one I used. 

[philoshop]

Air puffer and soft brush for the bigger stuff like general dust.

Smudges will require a very clean microfiber cloth with a drop of distilled water. Tap water has chemicals and impurities in it that can, and will attack the lens coatings. Use tiny circular strokes and change the part of the cloth you're using frequently so that you don't start re-polishing the lens with accumulated dirt. It's a delicate operation and it takes time, but it's worth it.

 

Modern lens coatings are pretty durable, but even a tiny scratch can drive you crazy if the light hits it a certain way.

I use telescopes and cameras more than rifle scopes today, but it's the same principle.

[stoneam2006]

Saftey glass wipes I use at work....but I'm not using high dollar glass

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[grampy]

I use the Zeiss lens cleaning wipes. Pre-moistened, and cheap, from wally world. Been using them for years and they work fine. Might use something else if I had high dollar glass though. All my scopes are $500 or less.

[Dinsdale]

 

I use the Zeiss lens cleaning wipes. Pre-moistened, and cheap, from wally world. Been using them for years and they work fine. Might use something else if I had high dollar glass though. All my scopes are $500 or less.

I have glass that is less and a few that are more.....

Use the Zeiss liquid cleaner or pre moistened wipes and can't say how many of those kits I have given away....$6 for the spray and a few of the wipes in a carry case.

Swarovski instructs to run water strait from the tap to clean their stuff. I do that for all my binoculars to get grit out of the mechanisms; and as most of my scopes are QD, I run them also under the faucet.

Have hunted some really dry enviroments with very fine sand, you can feel the grit in things after a day or two.

[The_Field_Ager]

How do you clean your spouse!  That's what the OP said outta the corner of my eye. 

[DirtTime]

I also use the flip-up covers. They keep water out ( to a big extent ). I plan to get the see through flip ups for next season.

When I had those slip on covers I would use: 

Puffer and a super soft cloth/lens wipe. Have even used my eyeglass wipes, they are not harmful to the scope lens coating.

Edited December 6, 2015 by ....rob

[WNYBuckHunter]

I use whatever is handy and soft. In the field its usually the end of the sleeve of my base layer. My glass has a lifetime warranty on it. If it gets scratched or the coatings are damaged, Ill send it back for a new one. When I clean my guns, I have a microfiber cloth.

[GreeneHunter]

By using Iron Sights .... LOL (sorry couldn't help it )

[chas0218]

I use the Zeiss lens cleaning wipes. Pre-moistened, and cheap, from wally world. Been using them for years and they work fine. Might use something else if I had high dollar glass though. All my scopes are $500 or less.

I use these too! My wife buys them at Sam's club or Walmarts.

 

I also carry one of those little lens cloths. Most of the time I only need to clean my rangefinder as there isnt any sort of cap. my binos came with a cap i leave attached and i have those butler creek flip up scope covers.

[dbHunterNY]

go to any nearest eye glasses/vision place.  they'll have kits that have solution and silicone/microfiber clothes as well as pre-dampened wipes.  sometimes they'll have an anti-fog stuff in with the solution.  they will take care of things as good as anything.  if you use some soaps or solvent it might wear away any coating on the lenses.  I wear glasses.  when in the field, I blow out any loose debris, breathe on it, and quickly use a wipe or microfiber cloth to clean the lens.  when not in the woods and at the ready I use Butler Creek Bikini scope covers.  they work really well and last a very long time.  keep out dust and anything else well too.

[Five Seasons]

was reading the manual that came with my new vx3 last night. They recommend just water and a cloth or for stubborn stains to use rubbing alcohol.

[ants]

Zeiss cleaning kit. Cost me like $10 several years ago. Came with a brush, micro fiber cloth and spray cleaner, Works pretty good. But in a pinch, cotton balls and a tiny bit of rubbing alcohol will work.