Last edited:
I took some time this weekend to inspect some of the lenses on my hunting optics. I lost an objective lens cover to my Vortex binoculars and Vortex graciously and promptly replaced them by sending a pair of new covers after I told them one came off on a hunt. Quite naturally optical lenses get dusty, dirty, exposed to humidity, fog, rain, etc while afield, so periodic inspection is necessary to increase the chances of having the best view of your quarry when it counts. I tend to keep scope caps on my rifle scopes and don't feel comfortable without at least having a pair of see-through bikini covers on when in the field. I have a strong preference for Monstrom flip-open riflescope covers. Using scope covers and keeping the ocular lens clean can also help keep debris out of your eye. That's one of the worst feelings when you're stalking an animal and something gets in your eye when you go to take a shot.
I use an optics cleaning kit to clean my lenses. It consists of a bulb blower (that you squeeze and shoots bursts of air to blow loose dust particles off of your lenses), a lens brush, a lens pen, a microfiber cloth, and small bottle of lens cleaning spray. All are stowed neatly in a canvas like softcase. I added a few Sightron lens cleaning pads (they look like wet wipe packets) and Q-tips to my kit.
1) I usually start cleaning by opening the caps, flipping the optic so that the lens to be cleaned is tilted towards the ground, and blowing air onto and around the lens. Next I use a clean q-tip and wipe around the inside of the optic housing (i.e. the objective bell housing, the adjustable diopter housing, etc).
2) Then I use another or the clean side of the q-tip to wipe the inside of the lens cover and around the edges. Then I repeat the blowing process.
3) Next I will flip the optic so that it is facing a light. I like to use a head lamp or flash light to shine at close distance to get a good look at the lens surface to be sure I can see if there is caked on debris, scratches, issues with the coating, or areas that may be troublesome and need special attention.
4) If everything looks normal (no caked on debris, mud splashes, etc) then I reorient the lens towards the ground, take my lens brush and light sweep across the lens with it to remove any loose dust that didn't blow away.
5) I follow that up with the blower again.
6) After brushing, I inspect the lens once more.
7) If I cannot see any obvious dirt and most of the dust has been removed, I pick up my lens spray bottle, shake it a few times and spray a small corner of the lens cloth once or twice. It only needs to be damp.
8) From here I flip the scope up towards the ceiling, secure it or the rifle between my knees (BE SURE THAT THE GUN IS NOT LOADED BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO CLEAN YOUR GUN-MOUNTED OPTIC), or you may be comfortable working with your gun in a vise or gun stand.
9) Place an index finger tip directly beneath the wet spot on the microfiber cloth, gently place it on the center of the lens, and lightly wipe in circles making it wider with each pass going outwards towards the edge of the lens.
10) Next I place the tip of my finger under a dry portion of the cloth and wipe gently using the same motion. I repeat these last couple of step until very little streaking can be seen.
Once I finish this then I can clean the outside of the scope (if you prefer you may elect to do this before cleaning the lenses). Then it's on to cleaning the lens on the other end and then another optic. I do not like rubbing on my optics' lenses frequently. I do this periodically to protect the coatings and to maintain a relatively clear view through my optics. If you leave finger prints on optics I've read that the oils in our skin are not good for some optical coatings. I don't use this process for digital optics. I'd look into what the manufacturer of your digital optics instructs users to do to clean night vision, thermal, and digital daytime optical lens and display screens. If your process differs, please share what you do.
Below is a link to an older thread from another forum dealing with this topic. It goes more in-depth on how to clean a severely dirty scope (dropped in mud dirty) with information communicated to me by a technician at Vortex.
www.airgunnation.com
This video was recommended to me on another forum. I found it helpful with a dirty scope that I'd obtained for someone.
If any of you do other maintenance like clean beneath turret caps, lube turrets, magnification rings, etc. please share what you do to maintain functionality and protect your scope from undue wear.
I use an optics cleaning kit to clean my lenses. It consists of a bulb blower (that you squeeze and shoots bursts of air to blow loose dust particles off of your lenses), a lens brush, a lens pen, a microfiber cloth, and small bottle of lens cleaning spray. All are stowed neatly in a canvas like softcase. I added a few Sightron lens cleaning pads (they look like wet wipe packets) and Q-tips to my kit.
1) I usually start cleaning by opening the caps, flipping the optic so that the lens to be cleaned is tilted towards the ground, and blowing air onto and around the lens. Next I use a clean q-tip and wipe around the inside of the optic housing (i.e. the objective bell housing, the adjustable diopter housing, etc).
2) Then I use another or the clean side of the q-tip to wipe the inside of the lens cover and around the edges. Then I repeat the blowing process.
3) Next I will flip the optic so that it is facing a light. I like to use a head lamp or flash light to shine at close distance to get a good look at the lens surface to be sure I can see if there is caked on debris, scratches, issues with the coating, or areas that may be troublesome and need special attention.
4) If everything looks normal (no caked on debris, mud splashes, etc) then I reorient the lens towards the ground, take my lens brush and light sweep across the lens with it to remove any loose dust that didn't blow away.
5) I follow that up with the blower again.
6) After brushing, I inspect the lens once more.
7) If I cannot see any obvious dirt and most of the dust has been removed, I pick up my lens spray bottle, shake it a few times and spray a small corner of the lens cloth once or twice. It only needs to be damp.
8) From here I flip the scope up towards the ceiling, secure it or the rifle between my knees (BE SURE THAT THE GUN IS NOT LOADED BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO CLEAN YOUR GUN-MOUNTED OPTIC), or you may be comfortable working with your gun in a vise or gun stand.
9) Place an index finger tip directly beneath the wet spot on the microfiber cloth, gently place it on the center of the lens, and lightly wipe in circles making it wider with each pass going outwards towards the edge of the lens.
10) Next I place the tip of my finger under a dry portion of the cloth and wipe gently using the same motion. I repeat these last couple of step until very little streaking can be seen.
Once I finish this then I can clean the outside of the scope (if you prefer you may elect to do this before cleaning the lenses). Then it's on to cleaning the lens on the other end and then another optic. I do not like rubbing on my optics' lenses frequently. I do this periodically to protect the coatings and to maintain a relatively clear view through my optics. If you leave finger prints on optics I've read that the oils in our skin are not good for some optical coatings. I don't use this process for digital optics. I'd look into what the manufacturer of your digital optics instructs users to do to clean night vision, thermal, and digital daytime optical lens and display screens. If your process differs, please share what you do.
Below is a link to an older thread from another forum dealing with this topic. It goes more in-depth on how to clean a severely dirty scope (dropped in mud dirty) with information communicated to me by a technician at Vortex.
Cleaning and Caring for Your Riflescope
First off I’m not posting this as an authority suggesting that I’m qualified to pen a definitive guide to scope maintenance. What I aim to do here is share information found in older threads, share some things that I have done, to obtain more accurate and detailed information to compile within...
www.airgunnation.com
This video was recommended to me on another forum. I found it helpful with a dirty scope that I'd obtained for someone.
If any of you do other maintenance like clean beneath turret caps, lube turrets, magnification rings, etc. please share what you do to maintain functionality and protect your scope from undue wear.
