Depriving a village somewhere of an idiot wrote:

> I read the owner's manual, where it describes cleaning solutions and
> techniques. However, their description sounds like it was designed to
> remove a few dust particles...not the sticky mess on my scope. Can
> anyone suggest a means to clean the optics for something like this?

First try the gentle rinsing method to see if that removes it.

Regardless of whether it is now clean soak it in isopropyl alcohol
(make sure that it is only alcohol and water! Some "rubbing alcohols"
contain hand lotion.) This should kill anything that is growing on
the miror.

If some of the original muck is still on there then try _gently_
rubbing with a 100% cotton "Q-Tip". I prefer the brand name
product as some of the generics reportedly aren't 100% cotton.

As it dries the alcohol will likely leave behind some streaks
as oily residue from any gunk that was on there is left behind.
Don't worry about this. It is normal. You are to use the "Q-tips"
only on stuff that is actually stuck to the coatings.

Be careful around the edges of the coating. Sometimes gunk can
start growing under the coatings, loosening it and it will flake
away if you rub too hard.

Now go back and do the standard cleaning again. This will remove
the residue the alcohol left behind when it evaporated.

Gene Horr

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