Whats best to use when cleaning lens and mirrors, Accetone, or rubbing alchohol\???

Lasers
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1

Whats best to use when cleaning lens and mirrors, Accetone, or rubbing alchohol???
Thanks

2

I would say it’s depend on your mirrors, just to mention a very light gold coating could go quick if you rub to much. best is a good air assist. (I did post a photo of shatered stock mirror, for evidence)

3

I used mineral turpentine or methylated spirits on the end of a cotton earbud to clean mine (before adding air-assist). Seemed to clean reasonably easy with either of them.

4

I always try the gentlest cleaning agent first. So I just use simple rubbing alcohol on a Qtip. I don’t press hard - just keep lightly swabbing with a wet swab. Let the alcohol (or whatever solvent you use) do the work. As the wet swab comes away clean I do a final swipe with a dry one so I don’t get any film forming from evaporation.

Air assist definitely helps cut down how much dirt gets on the lens.

5

Rubbing alcohol usually has oil in it. If the oil remains on the optics in operation, there is a chance they will be damaged. If the acetone is pure, of the two it is the better choice in my opinion.

6

@Joel_Kunze ​ Interesting. The stuff I use is listed as 91% isopropyl alcohol and 9% water. I found a bottle of 70% in the bathroom that was labeled rubbing alcohol (the 70% is isopropyl alcohol). I’ve seen it with coloring & scents added - might that be where the oil comes in?

7

I’ve noticed just recently when cleaning my mirrors & lens that there was some sort of buildup on the mirrors in particular. It looked like when you get toothpaste splatter on the bathroom mirror. Cleaning with turps/metho that I was previously using didn’t seem to get rid of it, so I thought it may be burned into the mirror or whatever. I took it to the sink & washed with water (I don’t even know what made me consider that). Turns out, just washing with water & my finger got rid of all the marks & cleaned it very well. I did use my airpump to blow all the water off & dry the mirror as quick as possible (to prevent spots/streaks). Ever since I did that, I’ve been getting wonderful results cutting/engraving.