A flea market in Austin changed how I clean old lens elements

I bought a box of junked lenses for 20 bucks, and one had a haze that looked like fungus but was actually old cleaning fluid residue. I tried a 50/50 mix of distilled water and isopropyl on a cotton swab, and it came off without a scratch. What's your safe go-to for cleaning gunk off vintage glass?

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3 Comments

robinwhite6mo ago

Man, that water and isopropyl mix is a lifesaver for old grease too.

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jaden696mo ago

What ratio do you use, @robinwhite?

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the_alex6mo ago

Add a little dish soap to that mix and it cuts through kitchen grease even better.

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