Primary Mirror CLEANING tutorial... with FINGERS 😱 - NOT for the faint hearted!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

To try everything Brilliant has to offer-free-for a full 30 days, visit brilliant.org/cuivlazygeek/. The first 200 of you will get 20% off Brilliant’s annual premium subscription. One thing of note: never let tap water dry on the mirror!! It will leave a hard to clean mineral residue. Always finish my generous distilled water rinse to prevent that (forgot to mention this in the video for the "rinse only" method). Support me on Patreon!: www.patreon.com/cuivlazygeek If you're planning on buying equipment (or anything from Amazon), it will help me if you first click the affiliate links in the description! OCAL Collimator: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DmuBKXB or s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Dc6JT5B Astro La Vista's video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eH67aGV9n8-ob68

[@my-pixels]

Brilliant video! As an optical engineer, I try to avoid using cotton pads or anything at all to clean my mirrors. Clean fingers is all that's needed! Cheers, Max.

[@IndigoSkies]

Ha! This is almost exactly how I clean my mirrors (and actually cleaned a 203mm mirror last night). The only differences are: 1) Soak the mirror for a few minutes in the soapy water before using your fingers. This gives the water and soap time to loosen up or dissolve films and particles on the surface. 2) Use a bit more of the dishwashing soap. 3) Be careful when using the air bulb to blow the dust and water droplets off the mirror as it’s easy to whack the mirror with it (been there done that). I hold the tip of the bulb with one hand and squeeze with the other. Thanks Cuiv, great video!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thanks for the additional tips! This is actually really good to know :-)

[@andromedahunter4168]

The rubber tipped ones should only be used

[@KurtVW]

Lens cleaning is a tribal hot topic, and I disagree with some of what you did for reasons that may well be superstition.. But, a couple things I think you might agree with are... 1) Run a piece of tape from your mirror cell to your tube, for alignment... Mark the side of the mirror (not the reflective bit, just the glass on the side) to align to the mirror to the cell. During reassembly if you you align your marks and tape, you'll have less collimation headaches. 2) Water temp doesn't affect the mirror. If you have goo on that mirror, any temperature change that doesn't crack it, doesn't harm it. So hot water before touching might do the job. 3) Let it soak a bit before you touch it (I don't touch with my hands, but regardless...), soaking will release some of the particles on the mirror without need to touch. Let it soak and see how it goes before you start touching it. 4) choose soaps wisely. Most detergents are abrasive, this is part of how they work. All you really need is a pure soap (like laundry soap.. not hand soap that has lotions added or anything like that.. pure soap) that will release the oils, and resins in the pollen, or sap, or whatever got in there. Avoid detergents -- soap and detergent are not the same thing, this is why labels for detergent say detergent and labels for soap say SOAP... if it doesn't say soap, if it says 'Cleansing Bar' that is detergent. In the U.S. Soap means only one thing.. and products that aren't soap don't say they are soap.. If it says soap, then it is soap. Thats all, otherwise the video was good. I don't touch my mirror, but ultimately its your mirror and my superstitions are my own. To all reading, I'd say the same.. your optics, your rules. But as the video said over and over... Only clean at desperate need. Dust doesn't hurt your images if you have good flat frames... A big wad of sap or pollen is a different animal. And last -- All touching causes micro scratches, over the course of time, its never better.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thanks for all those tips!

[@Heathrutledge]

Have you ever done a video, or is there a way other than blowing air, to clean narrow band filters?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Using IPA normally should be fine!

[@amp2amp800]

This is almost exactly how I clean my porridge bowl every morning. The fingertips are incredibly sensitive detection instruments and you have such great fine control of pressure.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Hahaha porridge bowl cleaning tutorial upcoming?

[@Beaver-be8vk]

This is EXACTLY how I clean my mirrors. It’s the best way. I honestly think that you’re more likely to scratch a mirror with traditional methods (lens tissue, cotton, microfiber). Much less rubbing with this method.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

I hope that's the case indeed!!

[@jasonpatterson8091]

The little towel underneath is a nice touch. When I have done this without that I've had issues getting ahold of the mirror when I'm done because it's so close to the bottom of the bowl on every edge.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

It does help indeed!

[@fazergazer]

Same here in New Mexico. Piñon pine, juniper and the like have exceptionally sticky pollen. When damp it will eventually etch glass after a few years. I ended up using acetone to dissolve the pollen from a 12” Newtonian that had years of gunk. Followed by the technique you describe. Subsequently I clean every one to two years using your method.🎉

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Awesome! Pollen is indeed really tough!

[@johnadastra1754]

So glad the gentle sensation of the finger touch method resulted in a happy ending 😋

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

A happy moany ending :p

[@gregerianne3880]

Nice job, Cuiv! I've never seen the 'finger method' before. Mirror looks beautiful. Neat. I noticed you didn't mark the mirror to get the same orientation when you put it back. Not really a big issue?

[@jasonpatterson8091]

Shouldn't matter at all. If the mirror isn't radially symmetric then it was ground improperly and will have serious astigmatism. The entire thing will have to be collimated again, of course, but that is no big deal.

[@andromedahunter4168]

Used this technique to wash my 16 inch skywatcher goto Dobson mirror ( primary, secondary). Worked flawless, finished with lots of distilled water and dried with hair drier ( cold mode). Gave excellent results

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Awesome!

[@KingLoopie1]

Same way I clean my mirrors. Just trying to remove the haze and dust. 👍 I have also used denatured alcohol and the optical cleaning tissues for particularly stubborn, sticky stuff. Do not use cotton balls as these can harbor dust and grit, even straight out of the bag!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Stubborn sticky stuff can be a pain...

[@gary5051]

Hi - always a good precaution to remove rings and watches when handling delicate optical surfaces. Another variation is to put a drop of uncented detergent directly on your fingertips. This places the cleaning solution on the fingers applying pressure to remove any sticky substances…cheers, Gary

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thanks for the tips Gary!!

[@ssrattus]

Thanks Cuiv!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

My pleasure!

[@fazergazer]

I am going to receive a Quattro 150 P just very similar to yours. I think it has the cheaper focuser see the better focuser is included in the 150 P that ships from the first light optics but I got mine in the states and it looks like just the flat extension tube form so I’m interested in what your solution is for the upgrade. The main question I have is I tried to enter my address in to backyard universe and they don’t list the United States as a target country that ship to and for that matter, neither do they list Japan, so I’m wondering how you got your parts from them That was of my main question. Thanks.❤❤🎉🎉 Edit: yes the Background Universe link will ship to US. I contact them directly!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Glad you got Backyard Universe figured out! My solution for the focuser has been very precise adjustment of the focuser tensioning screws and an OAG to avoid flexure!

[@travlon5101]

This was a big help. It's nice to see how other people clean the mirror. Since the secondary mirror usually gets hit with dew the most, it seems to collect dirt the most. Would you clean a secondary mirror the same as you did your primary? Do you have a video of how to use the Ocal collimator tool? I have the tool, but can't get the hang of which circles are which and what I should be seeing. Thanks for all your help.

[@TexasEngineerScotty]

do the same rules go for corrector plates or objective lenses with coatings?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Well in theory it should also work for such optics, but they're more difficult to isolate compared to a primary (corrector place is linked to primary etc), plus it's just easier to do it "in situ" with PLA!

[@deep_space_dave]

That's such a beautiful mirror for such a cheap scope! I guess that mirror makes all the pain that scope put you through worth it! So much that you gave it a nice bath and massage to show your appreciation 🙂 Just don't let your wife see this video she might get jealous 😛 BTW I hear that the fingertip method is the best for cleaning mirrors as long as you can do it under soapy water. Excellent tutorial! Thanks and Clear Skies!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Hahaha exactly 😂 making sure I treat it well, and yes my wife is never seeing this video lol

[@A0111.]

I was watching it as I'm going to clean my 10" dob's mirror soon, and my wife told me she wants this massage tonight😅

[@dumpydalekobservatory]

Excellent video Cuiv I clean my mirror exactly the same way although I haven't touched mine on the Newtonian for 10 years now.🙂

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Wow 10 years that's some restraint!

[@JeffHorne]

Thank you for showing us this!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thanks Jeff!

[@AndyofAstro]

Hi Cuiv, I note the key point about not having the mirror clips tight to stop pinching. However I've found that my mirrors move during a nights imaging as the mount guides due to the mirror being loose. As a result collimation is lost and also the flats won't work because the mirror position has changed. As a result when stacked together, the data generates circles in the images. How do you prevent your mirrors from changing position during a night of guiding? Thanks and best wishes

[@astrofromhome]

Very good instruction. My Newtonian's main mirror might be due soon again. I clean it in a bowl with dish wash and rinse with clean water like you do. The final touch is given with destilled water and some acohol (spiritus) added to break the tension of the surface of the water. All drops will just run down the mirror when it is placed angeled somewhere like you have shown. Alcohol will helps to let the drops rinse off easier. Next time I will try the massage part to make personal contact to the mirror and not to have a superficial relationship only anymore. 😂

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

That's a very cool step with spiritus added!! Massaging your mirror sensually is very important 😂

[@KurtVW]

@cuivthelazygeek I can't speak to the sensual massage component of this.. but Alcohol mixed with the distilled water is for sure a great help, I do that also, think of it as a spot free rinse...

[@WilliamBlakers]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek alcohol and sensual massage are always a winning combo.

[@BiscuitAdvisory]

"it is beautiful. absolutely magnificent." wish I had a Cuiv alarm clock wake me up in the morning with motivational words like that for me instead of his mirror haha

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Hahaha 🤣

[@robertw1871]

I do it the same way, warm water in the sink, dish soap, rub gently with fingers and rinse with distilled water… works great….

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

It does work really well :)

[@Hilmi12]

I use CO2 snow, not that complicated, the problem is getting lab grade CO2. More common is food grade. Your method is very effective and I have ised it for years. I would remove the ring though, accidents can happen where you accidentally tap the ring onto the mirror

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Yep, others have mentioned about the ring, thank you!

[@realmcerono]

Cuiv, would you clean a SCT correctorplate the same?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Probably not, since it would mean also bathing the secondary mirror assembly as a whole... But I've done it on old SCTs I was refurbishing. IPA cleaning should work well on an SCT corrector plate.

[@RainerGigachad]

I do basically the same as you do, but I let my mirror soak for 10-15 minutes in the dish soap. This enables you to just shake the grime off but you do that underwater. Most of the time you don't even need to touch the mirror itself

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Awesome tip, thank you!

[@StarlancerAstro]

Same exact way I do it as well, easy and works great!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Good to hear!

[@wesleydonnelly2141]

Great vid thanks Cuiv! I am due to clean my 8 inch newt mirror in the coming weeks, so this vid is rather timely! Thanks Cuiv! Wes, Liverpool UK.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Awesome, good luck!

[@ssbhide123]

With those soapy hands, I am sure I will drop that mirror right in the sink 😂

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Erm, be careful?

[@tom886]

Instead of cotton balls, I use the cotton pads used by the better half. With these I still can feel the tiniest impurity on my Newtonian mirror. The tough part is, convince the better half to spare some of these cotton pads. For some weird reason they guard them with their life, so results may vary.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Putting some proficiency points into sleight of hand will help get those sneakily:)

[@anthonygondola3086]

Another step that works well is to follow up the final rinse of distilled water with a rinse with isopropyl alcohol, 90% or better. This will chase any remaining water off the mirror and dries clean very quicky.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

This is such a cool tip, thank you!!

[@starwatcher]

Very very helpful

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Glad it helped!

[@sergiofurini6127]

Grazie.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Always a pleasure!

[@robsonhahn]

You should try to use PVA glue... I did on my 460mm and 254mm and works perfectly. :)

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

How does that work??

[@UrbanAstroLA]

​@@CuivTheLazyGeekit's Elmer's white school glue. I've not tried this, but the idea would be that the glue bonds to contaminants and then you peel it off. If the mirrors coatings are not strong, it could theoretically pull them off. Elmer's glue is fairly weak and water soluble, so it can be weakened...but I'm not sure it is enough for many contaminants like pollen. There is a very expensive peel off optics cleaner called First Contact that uses the same method and is used by NASA and optical labs... But very different formulation 😅

[@robsonhahn]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek I usually apply a couple of layers of white glue (PVA glue) on the mirror. Sometimes I dilute the glue with Alcohol (Ethanol or IPA works fine).. After wait it dry, I peel off the PVA layer... All the debris comes out... But be carefull... if the aluminium coating is bad quality, it can remove the coating... All my mirrors except one worked perfectly... The one in question had a bad quality alluminization and no SiO2 coating...

[@dmccallie]

Brilliant is nice, but last time I checked, there was no content for optics and lens. Maybe you could put in a word with them to add that! A set of lessons on fundamentals of optics would be cool.

[@cjmenagh882]

Make sure you use dish washing soap not dish washer soap. Two different things and the second is caustic and gritty.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thanks for the precision! Dish washers here aren't really a thing, so I had forgotten about that!

[@miodragpetkovic6142]

bravo.

[@erezra]

I prefer this method too but you really should remove your ring as well.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

True!! Forgot about that!

[@PhilDotC]

I found that not all distilled waters are equal. In the past I have bought distilled water from a car parts shop but found this still left water marks. Then I had a brain wave, my dehumidifier produces distilled water from the atmosphere. I tried that, bingo! No water marks.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Wow, home made distilled water for the win!

[@ExoPhotography1]

I followed this method two years ago, also made a video on how I did it back then. But this year, i followed a method published by Astrosysteme Austria (ASA) which basically is using wipes, soaking them and let them just lie on top of the mirror, draging out the dirt, I made a video of that as well ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/apmphJudpctqbdU ) - I thought the second method cleaned the mirror just as good as the "finger" method.

[@potrzebiehuck]

The ring! Take the ring off the finger!😬

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Yessss, I will next time :)

[@davidsimard1522]

Merci beaucoup pour cette pour cette procédure de nettoyage j en nais vue un miroir avec de la pouciers de construction de plâtre sa ma fait un peut peur je ne l ais pas toucher la personne qui vas jouer avec sa vas aller a l ans prochain merci encore

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Aucun problème !

[@JoeBob79569]

I just spied some mould on the mirror of my 10" Dob, so I might give this method a shot. I must have put it away without letting it air out first.. stupid, stupid, stupid!

[@joshuamuller9705]

Ain't broke, fix it 😅🤙

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Only if you want to break it and go broke replacing it :-)

[@سبحانخالقالكون-ش3ز]

جميل

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thanks!

[@glennpmoss]

Very sensual 😂

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Bonus points if you moan while massaging the mirror!!

[@jackapaul1]

I cringed seeing you clean the mirror wearing your wedding ring. Seem to be an opportunity to accidentally scratch the mirror.