Over the course of my Vortex 2.5-10x32’s life, I’ve had to use about 20 or so Q-tips gently massaging oil drops off of the objective lens (how they get there, I don’t know; the lens always has a splotch or two when I come home from shooting). While cleaning some of the oil off the other day, it made me wonder: just how hard are the anti-scratch coatings on these lenses?
Is there some sort of metric that we can ascribe to them? Do manufacturers release hardness ratings, for example? Or even better, is there any data out there on abrasion tests for these coatings a la cerakote? I realize not all brands/manufacturers will use the same coatings or thicknesses, but I thought if the numbers of any quality manufacturer are known, it might be enough to get into the ballpark for most of them.
I ask because I’m wondering if cleaning the lenses – even gently – when they’ve got a few splotches on them may do more harm than good, similar to how vigorously cleaning a rifle can actually accelerate parts wear and breakage. How many passes with a Q-tip, lens pen, or lens cloth can the anti-scratch coatings take before they wear down and no longer protect the lens and other coatings? Hundreds? Thousands?
I’ve been trying my damndest to find this information for myself, but I can’t find anything on Google. Maybe I’m not using the right search terms, though, so I thought I’d ask on here. Does anyone have any information or data on the performance or durability of anti-scratch coatings on quality optic lenses?
Much appreciated for any help or insight anyone can provide.
I can’t help you with specifics, but I will say that I bought ARDs for both my USO and S&B for the sole purpose of minimizing debris on my lenses, and thus (hopefully) minimizing cleaning/touching the lenses. I use acetone and Qtips when I do clean my lenses. I’d be very interested (and grateful) if someone in the know could answer your queries.
Generally, I try to avoid touching lenses. If you can blow it off (hand bulb, not 500psi air compressor) blow it off. That will take care of dust and sand.
Once lenses get past the point where blowing them off does and good, you need to use a solvent. I’d avoid acetone as it can dissolve the glue that holds some lenses and attack o-rings and seals. I like lukewarm soapy water followed by alcohol, which gets rid of the water spots.
Use plenty of cotton swabs, lens paper, or clean non-linting cloth. You want to capture the oils and dust particles that are stuck with the wipe, not drag them all over the lens.
From an old camera guy… Rocket blower to remove loose stuff, plush micro fiber with commercial (drug store) lens cleaning fluid with next to NO pressure and finish up with a quality lens paper dry. You don’t want to lean on the lens before removing any dust or dirt that is attracted by the oil. Lens pens suck. What they pick up just keeps grinding away at the coating every time you use it. I cut micro fiber clothes into 2" squares and use each only one time. To much risk using them twice. GH
