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Hello Kitty,

With these lenses in the public's hands you have almost got to count on 
replacing them from time to time as gunk and scratches are just the 
nature of the environment. As such, there's almost no need to worry too 
much about how you clean as long as you don't do something really 
bizarre. You're not going to care for these things like a laboratory might.

If you want to be a little more careful there are some basics. Generally 
you don't want to douse the complex lens systems of an eyepiece with too 
much liquid that can then seep down into the spaces between the lenses. 
The liquid will carry any dissolved eyeball and finger grease down in 
there were it eventually re-congeal, spoiling the relative sanctity on 
the intra lens spaces.

Carefully blow lose junk off the surface and, if you have to, brush the 
major chunks off with a very gentle sweep of a static control brush. Use 
100% cotton Qtips or 100% cotton balls - be careful here. Some of brands 
contain stuff other than cotton. Don't use lens cleaning tissue and 
don't use anything intended for contact lenses. Use isopropyl alcohol, 
which usually has a small % of distilled water. Don't use rubbing 
alcohol. If things are really gunky you could also use a mild solution 
of Dawn dishwashing detergent, rinsing with distilled water.

The use of distilled water is important. Any minerals dissolved in your 
tap water will solidify on your lenses as the water dries and be very 
difficult to remove.

Not too much liquid and not too much pressure - gentle- is the key 
phrase. If you can, work on the lenses upside down so liquid is not 
encouraged to run down, into the lenses. Don't reuse a Qtip. And sop up 
the excess liquid with the end of a Qtip as well.

Check the internet for other, perhaps more qualified instructions.


Joe R
www.TheExhibitGuys.com

Connolly, Kitty wrote:
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
> 
> Hi all --
> 
> Last October the Huntington opened a botanical education conservatory
> with interactive stations.  We have microscopes, refractometers, and
> kaleidoscopes, all of which we clean several times a day.  We have been
> cleaning the oculars with ethanol, but are looking for a milder
> alternative to extend the life of the lenses.  I have used samples of an
> enzyme-based cleaner made by Purosol.  Does anyone have any experience
> with this cleaner, or other suggestions?  
> 
> Thanks for your help
> -- Kitty Connolly
> Conservatory Project Manager
> Huntington Botanical Gardens
> 
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More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
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message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
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