Filter Deep Cleaning

Pippy_Neville

Pippy_Neville

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Pip
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I inherited loads of filters (probably 100+) when my old pa popped off to the eternal darkroom, I'm trying to use some of them but they are old old old! He bought them back in the days before digital and used them on his beloved Minoltas. And unfortunately that means some are dirty... and I mean dirty. The screw on NDs seem to be the worst of the lot, which is a shame as that's what I've been trying to use.

Here's the 0.2ND (HOYA 55mm NDX2 JAPAN for the anoraks out there), I've played about with pp to try and show the dirt (it's harder to show than I thought it would be!).
IMG_8089a.jpg



Is there a way of doing a deep clean of these? I'm thinking a good soak in something or other? Or am I better off binning them and starting again with new?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated chaps and chappesses!
Pip.
 
Sonic Cleaner,never used one for filters,but could be worth a go......:shrug:
 
Looks a bit like mould. Lenses get it. I don't know if filters degrade after a long period but it's surely worth a go cleaning them.

Sonic cleaner is worth a go, but I'd just wash them in fairy liquid, dry them off on kitchen roll and maybe put them in the airing cupboard for a while to thoroughly dry the tricky bits.

If the coating comes off, at least you know they used to be good ones :eek:
 
fracster said:
Sonic Cleaner,never used one for filters,but could be worth a go......:shrug:
Click to expand...

HoppyUK said:
Looks a bit like mould. Lenses get it. I don't know if filters degrade after a long period but it's surely worth a go cleaning them.

Sonic cleaner is worth a go, but I'd just wash them in fairy liquid, dry them off on kitchen roll and maybe put them in the airing cupboard for a while to thoroughly dry the tricky bits.

If the coating comes off, at least you know they used to be good ones :eek:
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestions.
I've heard of a sonic toothbrush and of Sonic the Hedgehog, but a sonic cleaner is a new one to me. I'll have to investigate.
Maybe I'll have a go with some fairy liquid (maybe some dilute Vanish?) and see what happens... fingers crossed!
 
fracster said:
CPC sell little ones for jewellery and stuff,google CPC.........:thumbs:

In fact,here you go.

http://cpc.farnell.com/duratool/d00350/cleaner-ultrasonic-750ml/dp/SA01944

As stated never used one for filters,just an idea to maybe bring them up clean.So if you buy one and it makes a pigs ear of them,don`t blame me.........:lol:
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Thanks Fracster! Might order up one of these & give it a go... I think if I do it may make an interesting thread?

Before I go down that route, anyone tries a sonic clean of filters and have anything to report?
 
I use a professional ultrasonic cleaner (£450 worth) for my metal detecting finds and I really don't think it would work for those filters, it is intended for the removal of particulate matter from a solid base. The filter you show looks like it has stuff stuck to it.
Go down the chemist and ask for a bottle of isopropyl alchohol [sp? ... say it how I've spelt it!]. Use good quality cotton buds, dip them in the iso and use a small circular motion to clean the filters. It may be a good move to soak the filters in a shallow bath of it first.

use the iso in a well ventilated area, you'll get high off the fumes
No Smoking, in fact don't even have a bright idea while using it, the flash point is about 60 degrees and the flame is clear.
Other than that, its a safe chemical and forms the base of some of the liquid lens cleaners you can buy. Dilute it 70/30 with distilled water for a gentle cleaner.
 
I would advise against using Fairy Liquid or any other dishwashing detergent. Mainly because they use salt as a water softener and that can (and does) attack the metallic coatings used on filters.

Like Sheddy's just said, Isopropyl Alcohol is probably the best solution as long as his precautions are taken.

If you can, take the filters out of the mounts. Dust can collect in the gap between filter and mount and re-grub the filter.

If you can find it, Opticlean can work wonders. It's a liquid that you paint onto any optic, leave to cure and it sets into a polymer film that can be removed, taking most cack with it. (Hint, a thick coat works better than a thin one but leave a narrow gap around the edge - 1-2mm should be enough)
 
IPA or isopropyl alcohol should be fine, you may have to sweet talk the chemist into selling it to you though as they're sometimes reluctant. But you only need a very small bottle which would last you for years.

But I'd still be tempted to stick an odd one of them into a dishwasher just to see the results! You may be surprised :) But just in case... pick one you're not too worried about.
 
sheddy said:
I use a professional ultrasonic cleaner (£450 worth) for my metal detecting finds and I really don't think it would work for those filters, it is intended for the removal of particulate matter from a solid base. The filter you show looks like it has stuff stuck to it.
Go down the chemist and ask for a bottle of isopropyl alchohol [sp? ... say it how I've spelt it!]. Use good quality cotton buds, dip them in the iso and use a small circular motion to clean the filters. It may be a good move to soak the filters in a shallow bath of it first.

use the iso in a well ventilated area, you'll get high off the fumes
No Smoking, in fact don't even have a bright idea while using it, the flash point is about 60 degrees and the flame is clear.
Other than that, its a safe chemical and forms the base of some of the liquid lens cleaners you can buy. Dilute it 70/30 with distilled water for a gentle cleaner.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info sheddy, will go down this route.

Nod said:
I would advise against using Fairy Liquid or any other dishwashing detergent. Mainly because they use salt as a water softener and that can (and does) attack the metallic coatings used on filters.

Like Sheddy's just said, Isopropyl Alcohol is probably the best solution as long as his precautions are taken.

If you can, take the filters out of the mounts. Dust can collect in the gap between filter and mount and re-grub the filter.

If you can find it, Opticlean can work wonders. It's a liquid that you paint onto any optic, leave to cure and it sets into a polymer film that can be removed, taking most cack with it. (Hint, a thick coat works better than a thin one but leave a narrow gap around the edge - 1-2mm should be enough)
Click to expand...
Many thanks Nod, going down the alcoholic route (my wife has been thinkinng this for ages...)

Bill Roberts said:
IPA or isopropyl alcohol should be fine, you may have to sweet talk the chemist into selling it to you though as they're sometimes reluctant. But you only need a very small bottle which would last you for years.

But I'd still be tempted to stick an odd one of them into a dishwasher just to see the results! You may be surprised :) But just in case... pick one you're not too worried about.
Click to expand...
haha, nice one Bill, I'll try the alcy route first!
 
Welsh Dan said:
You can buy Isopropyl from Maplin in an aerosol aswell.
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Thanks Welsh Dan - I phoned a mate last night who is a chemical design type person (always ask before you touch any bottles of gunk in his house!) and he is going to bring me a little bit of IPA down. He listened to what I wanted it for and suggested using normal screenwash in the first place. It is the right type of alcoholic base and has detergents and other stuff in it, so I'm going to buy some and in the first place use it as a bath for the filters and see how it goes.

I'll keep a record of how it works (or not) and post it up in the next few days.

Pip.
 
You just have to be careful that the solvent used to remove the dirt does not remove the coating that IS the reason for the filter. Mrs Cowasaki has a proper sonic cleaner (she's a goldsmith) but there is no chance I would stick something in there! A combination of nappies and rotting flesh :shake:
 
cowasaki said:
You just have to be careful that the solvent used to remove the dirt does not remove the coating that IS the reason for the filter. Mrs Cowasaki has a proper sonic cleaner (she's a goldsmith) but there is no chance I would stick something in there! A combination of nappies and rotting flesh :shake:
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Good point Cowasaki. The filters really are unusable at the moment, so although I really want this to work in reality I don't have anything to lose. Fingers crossed...
 
One thing worth mentioning - if fungus has been growing on the surface of the filter, it may have etched into the coating, in which case you may as well bin it :(

Some background reading on the subject here and here

A.
 
Bill Roberts said:
IPA or isopropyl alcohol should be fine, you may have to sweet talk the chemist into selling it to you though as they're sometimes reluctant. But you only need a very small bottle which would last you for years.

But I'd still be tempted to stick an odd one of them into a dishwasher just to see the results! You may be surprised :) But just in case... pick one you're not too worried about.
Click to expand...

Iso you can get on eBay for a good price http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/READY-REAGENTS-ONLINE__W0QQ_armrsZ1
 
I'd advise against soaking anything but the most basic UV / protection filters for any length of time - I did this after dropping a Hoya polariser in flood water and soaking it in distilled water in an attempt to get rid of the water marks.

It appears the polarising layer is a separate plastic layer bonded to one of the elements, which slowly became saturated, curled up and fell off... thinking NDs might be the same.
 
FruitFlakes said:
You could use vodka too, that's what I use when I'm in a bind lol.
Click to expand...
No chance! Only one place my vodka goes...

Anorakus said:
One thing worth mentioning - if fungus has been growing on the surface of the filter, it may have etched into the coating, in which case you may as well bin it :(

Some background reading on the subject here and here

A.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the links, I'll have a read up.

omega63 said:
Iso you can get on eBay for a good price http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/READY-REAGENTS-ONLINE__W0QQ_armrsZ1
Click to expand...
Cheers omega63!

tbm said:
I'd advise against soaking anything but the most basic UV / protection filters for any length of time - I did this after dropping a Hoya polariser in flood water and soaking it in distilled water in an attempt to get rid of the water marks.

It appears the polarising layer is a separate plastic layer bonded to one of the elements, which slowly became saturated, curled up and fell off... thinking NDs might be the same.
Click to expand...
I'll keep an eye on them. Maybe a soak for a few minutes then a good rinse.

coldpenguin said:
It isn't vaseline on the filter is it?
Click to expand...
No, don't think so... Any particular reason you thought it might be?
 
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