getting glass CLEAN, how do you do it?

[PRJ]

Kimwipes with ROR/Zeiss/Acetone does the job. If you keep cleaning and can't get it off, then the material (microfiber, etc) you are using is contaminated. I don't like microfiber cloths for super cleaning.

I also use something I bought a long time ago called Opticlean. Paint on peel off. Nothing is left on the glass with that stuff. Pretty pricey though. You can also use collodion if you are a wetplater. Same method.

[Havoc]

If you keep cleaning and can't get it off, then the material (microfiber, etc) you are using is contaminated.

Now that is a good point! Hadn't tought of it to be honest. I was using acetone, metryl, isopropyl and kept getting streaks. But I was also always using wipes from the same box.

[Gabe]

Now that is a good point! Hadn't tought of it to be honest. I was using acetone, metryl, isopropyl and kept getting streaks. But I was also always using wipes from the same box.

It could also be because the solvents you are using are not of a high purity, and contain other crap which gets left behind as residues when the bulk solvent evaporates.

Tbh you are overthinking this. There is no need for extremely elaborate cleaning methods unless you are cleaning glass for a highly specialised purpose (certain analytical situations come to mind).

Simply clean the glass in hot soapy water first, wiping with a soft cloth. Rinse with normal tap water, then multiple times with deionised water (this step could probably be omitted, but will probably be of use depending on how mineral-heavy your tap water is). Finally, rinse the glass with high purity acetone and/or methanol, and leave to air dry.

[Havoc]

It could also be because the solvents you are using are not of a high purity, and contain other crap which gets left behind as residues when the bulk solvent evaporates.

Tbh you are overthinking this. There is no need for extremely elaborate cleaning methods unless you are cleaning glass for a highly specialised purpose (certain analytical situations come to mind).

It doesn't need to be chemically clean. But it needs to be without streaks and grease free. I need to glue new gels between the recuperated original glass plates. And so far I didn't get that. I also don't think I'll get more than 1 chance to glue this. So I want to get it as good as possible. With more or less "household" means. I do have isopropyl and other solvents and can get others if needed. But I won't go to fuming nitric acid or HF.

[Gabe]

It doesn't need to be chemically clean. But it needs to be without streaks and grease free. I need to glue new gels between the recuperated original glass plates. And so far I didn't get that. I also don't think I'll get more than 1 chance to glue this. So I want to get it as good as possible. With more or less "household" means. I do have isopropyl and other solvents and can get others if needed. But I won't go to fuming nitric acid or HF.

The best solvents for degreasing surfaces are DCM or chloroform, but you will probably struggle to find either one. Next to those, white spirit might be your best option, provided it is of a high purity (otherwise you risk residues again).

But really, a thorough cleaning with strong detergent and water is probably your easiest option.

[Drew Wiley]

Another problem will be if the glue outgasses between the elements when curing. You'll want to do a preliminary test on something else analogous first. Regarding solvents, ordinary hardware or paint store acetone, denatured alcohol, etc, contains a lot of water, and will probably leave streaks. The real deal usually has to come from an actual chemical supplier.

[Gabe]

The real deal usually has to come from an actual chemical supplier.

Depends. For many solvents yes, but very high grade IPA (99.99%) can be purchased from Amazon or similar, and is not expensive. It will do a similar job to methanol.

So:

1) Hot water + strong detergent, scrub, then water rinse
2) Deionised water rinse
3) IPA rinse
4) Air dry

This process should be more than good enough for the OP's purposes.

[Mark Sawyer]

Depends. For many solvents yes, but very high grade IPA (99.99%) can be purchased from Amazon or similar, and is not expensive...

Seems like a waste of a good India Pale Ale...

[Drew Wiley]

Hmmm ... There are still some Raiders fans in this area. They tend to drink solvents outlawed anywhere except at the racing pumps at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

[Gabe]

Seems like a waste of a good India Pale Ale...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isopropyl_alcohol

The chemist's lingo is hard to shake sometimes...