getting glass CLEAN, how do you do it?

[Havoc]

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.

[BrianShaw]

Alcohol or ammonia-based window cleaner, followed up with scrupulously clean microfiber cloth.

[Pieter]

I had terrible problems getting the glass of a used negative carrier clean, until I tried dish soap.

[Neal Chaves]

I had terrible problems getting the glass of a used negative carrier clean, until I tried dish soap.

An expert technician showed me years ago how an Ivory Soap solution cleaned the stubborn film off lenses that "lens cleaner" solutions couldn't get off. I have found recently, trying it on my own eyeglasses first, that 3% H202, the hydrogen peroxide sold in drug stores does a great job. I apply with a Q-tip and then polish it off with a micro fiber cloth.

[Greg]

I use the same procedures that astronomers use to clean their telescope mirrors. One can be found at
https://www.galactic-hunter.com/post...cope-s-mirrors
many other sites covering this topic out there.

[Drew Wiley]

If you want to pay for it, Edmund Scientific can source you the same kinds of products lens manufacturers use. It's a paint-on peel-away product, obviously not for routine glass use, but for that get it right the first time result. Otherwise, use a white teflon scratch-free pad and some basic Ivory soap, plus running water. Rinse off all the soap well, then dip it in a tray of distilled water with a pinch of PhotoFlo. Then blow off all the water droplets with a micro-filtered air line set at around 30 PSI. Set on an angle in a very clean place until completely dry.

[Nodda Duma]

If you want to pay for it, Edmund Scientific can source you the same kinds of products lens manufacturers use. It's a paint-on peel-away product, obviously not for routine glass use, but for that get it right the first time result. Otherwise, use a white teflon scratch-free pad and some basic Ivory soap, plus running water. Rinse off all the soap well, then dip it in a tray of distilled water with a pinch of PhotoFlo. Then blow off all the water droplets with a micro-filtered air line set at around 30 PSI. Set on an angle in a very clean place until completely dry.

I don’t know any optical shops which use that. Too time-consuming for production to “touch” each lens. For large quantity optics, glass washing machines using distilled water and a purpose-made detergent like alcojet. During polishing it’s just water. Solvents are available, but not for production use

[Tin Can]

Good to know and Amazon sells it

Thanks for the right stuff!

I don’t know any optical shops which use that. Too time-consuming for production to “touch” each lens. For large quantity optics, glass washing machines using distilled water and a purpose-made detergent like alcojet. During polishing it’s just water. Solvents are available, but not for production use

[Willie]

http://www.ror.net/

I use the ROR glass cleaner. I don't work for them nor do I sell the stuff.

Lenses and glass, it works well. Might take more than one try to get it completely streak free but is worth it.

When dealing with glass plates I use a seam sander or run the edges on an emery cloth bench piece, rinse and wipe well before cleaning. Helps in keeping from finger cuts.

[Havoc]

I tried with dish washer and that is so far the best. I'll try next time with H2O2 and ammonia. Then getting alle the dust off.