Re: [ATM] optics cleaner

[<atm@hudler.org>]

Several write up's in professional journals about polymer optic cleaners.

In the book; Reflecting Telescopes Optics II; R.N. Wilson, page 443-447
discusses OPTI-CLEAN and other methods in some detail. They tested; re-coating,
Collodion, CO2 snow, laser, and OPTI-CLEAN; OPTI-CLEAN was virtually close to
re-coating, while Collodion was better it was more difficult to remove. 

The conclusions of Dierickx and Giordano (1991) at ESO VLT and NTT; "In
practice, OPTI-CLEAN was considered the optimal solution, although more
difficult to carry out than CO2 snowflakes cleaning"

OPTI-CLEAN has recently been re-branded to First Contact for USA market. There's
contact lens cleaner called OPTICLEAN and I'm sure they didn't want the
confusion or lawyers.

See the US distributor's site; http://www.photoniccleaning.com; it is not cheap,
but you can buy it online. Four 32ml bottles will set you back $170 or a couple
of you could batch buy a 500ml bottle for $300.

Manufacturer site; http://www.opticlean.co.uk/ or http://www.caliope.co.uk

I've used this on everything from eyepieces, filters, and up to 1 meter
telescopes with amazing results. I've tried Collodion on a 24 inch mirror and
ended up using air and DI water to cleanup the messy bits that broke away.
My conclusion is that OPTI-CLEAN (aka First Contact) is worth the price if you
value

Jack Hudler



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