getting glass CLEAN, how do you do it?

[Drew Wiley]

That's why I don't use a cloth! (lenses and filters being the exception)

[GoodOldNorm]

Ok, so I now have a sample of gel to glue between 2 glass pieces. I have my canada balsam. So the next step is to get the glass CLEAN. And I mean clean...

I tried window cleaner and spectacles cleaner.. no good. Next I tried Isopropyl 99.9%, still streaks. Then aceton and not any better. Last I tried Metryl (tricloreethylene replacement) and it is better bus still not clean, still streaks.

Probably HF would do the trick but I'm not that idiotic. Only thing I still can try is ammonia with H2O2. Then I give up.

What is the best way to get glass clean at home? Household stuff, not boiling caustic solutions of worse hot HF. It is uncoated glass, not lens elements.

I use ROR optical cleaner, I have found this to be the best if you can't get that Zeiss spectacle cleaner is also very good both do not leave any residue.

[el french]

How do you measure the cleanness of the glass after using one of these methods?

[Tin Can]

I do it the 'Good enough for Government work' method

Shine my bright point LED flashlight behind it

then carry on regardless

[Havoc]

Wow, so many methods. The dish wash stuff worked well. But the technique for doing so I still have to work on. The telescope mirror method is next on the list. I don't have silvering on it is a bit less scary. Not getting anything like a cloth or wipe on it after washing is also to remember.

The newspaper I also heard before for cleaning the windows. But I don't like to try it because the glass isn't that big and I don't have any edges to hold on.

Next step glueing the filters between the glass. I'll try with some polyester film and scrap slide glasses first. Guess I'll have to make a guide or so.

[John Kasaian]

Try Vodka.
It won't get the glass clean, but if you drink enough of it you won't care

[Jim Noel]

No moisture or wipes ever touch my lenses, certainly not the sandpaper sold as "Lens Tissue.". I use activated charcoal on a Q-Tip.. Dip the Q-tip in the activated charcoal, knock-off excess, use circular motion lightly, no scrubbing. My lenses sparkle after this. No scratches, no film, just glass.
It might work on your project. Activated charcoal comes in capsules at health food stores.

[Pieter]

No moisture or wipes ever touch my lenses, certainly not the sandpaper sold as "Lens Tissue.". I use activated charcoal on a Q-Tip.. Dip the Q-tip in the activated charcoal, knock-off excess, use circular motion lightly, no scrubbing. My lenses sparkle after this. No scratches, no film, just glass.
It might work on your project. Activated charcoal comes in capsules at health food stores.

Sounds like the lenspen things.

[Drew Wiley]

Lenses are easy. What about multiple sheets of big enlarger glass? Q-tip is of no value there.

[LabRat]

Try Vodka.
It won't get the glass clean, but if you drink enough of it you won't care

We use Everclear 190 proof at work for ultra sensitive fine electrical connections...

Steve K