Dirty Green DOT

I just noticed all this crud around the DOT on my Opto 150mW. I just shot some canned air into the hole but it didn't clear this up. I ALWAYS keep the pointer in my camera bag in the pen sleeve when I'm not using it so is this some type of residue on the lens and can I get one of the engineers at my work ( I work in the TV business) to clean the lens or is there something going in behind the glass?

I can't wait to see the answer because I have the same problem.

Dirty lens, most definetly. Caused by burning matches up-close.

Don't ever ignite a match from less than 10 cm. Particles will build up on your lens, and you have the problem you currently have.

Cleaning burned residue is easy with some alcohol, but you need to apply it... meaning you must have easy access to the lens, taking it out or something.

I am not experienced in Opto's design of housings, but I cleaned quite a few leses that looked like that.

I have had problems with my lasers like that and I still cant find a good way to clean it?!? Every time I used 70 percent alcohol it wouldn't clear it up.

Crap that sucks! I never burned matches but I guess it was a piece of black foam I just tried it on this weekend. The engineers at work have itty bitty cleaning sticks with thin cotton-swab type ends on them so maybe I can get them to use one on the lens without taking it apart. They use these swabs to clean very, very delicate video heads in our $100,000 tape machines so I'm sure they can handle this. Thanks for the help and hope it helps others.

No prob.!!!!!! I will take care of it bro...

WretchedMerc said:

I have had problems with my lasers like that and I still cant find a good way to clean it?!? Every time I used 70 percent alcohol it wouldn't clear it up.

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What do you think the other 30% are?
Crap that remains on it.

You do not turn on the laser until it is completely dried, after applying alcohol.

Gsquared18 said:

Crap that sucks! I never burned matches but I guess it was a piece of black foam I just tried it on this weekend. The engineers at work have itty bitty cleaning sticks with thin cotton-swab type ends on them so maybe I can get them to use one on the lens without taking it apart. They use these swabs to clean very, very delicate video heads in our $100,000 tape machines so I'm sure they can handle this. Thanks for the help and hope it helps others.

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Cotton will scratch glass lens, don't use it.

I used cotton swabs only a couple of times, but only to flow the alcohol across the lens, not to touch it.

sandidgepatrick said:

No prob.!!!!!! I will take care of it bro...

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Ahh the buyer chimes in Have Fun!!

Gsquared18 said:

Crap that sucks! I never burned matches but I guess it was a piece of black foam I just tried it on this weekend. The engineers at work have itty bitty cleaning sticks with thin cotton-swab type ends on them so maybe I can get them to use one on the lens without taking it apart. They use these swabs to clean very, very delicate video heads in our $100,000 tape machines so I'm sure they can handle this. Thanks for the help and hope it helps others.

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Greg,
The very small cleaning tips like you said are needed for this, best if they are NOT cotton, foam are better as the cotton fibers are not good.
Before having him mess with it, order some of this filter cleaning solution.
Formula Mc filter cleaner sold by 2filter.com for 19 years
It's the best stuff I've ever come across. Apply just a very small amount 1 drop or put it in a small spray bottle and use it that way, it's how I do it.
Wipe the lens once with fine tip and then throw the tip away (never reuse one as it can put the crap back onto the lens or worse yet any dirt that was wiped up in the tip could scratch the lens if used a 2nd time.
After that, use a fresh tip and just the humidity from your breath on the lens and wipe.
If this doesn't do, try again (but be gentle), I've had some that take 4-5 cycles to get cleaned.

Maybe someone can put this into a sticky as I get lots of emails about cleaning and this would help everyone, no matter what laser they have.

ps, never use those cleaning cloths that come with eyeglasses or some laser pointers. They are good for one use, just like a cleaning tip, then they are dirty and your chances of doing more damage than good increase exponentially.

What do suggest using to clean it then.

Cotton will scratch glass lens, don't use it.

I used cotton swabs only a couple of times, but only to flow the alcohol across the lens, not to touch it.

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NVM this post, someone beat me to it. ty

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I love this place. Thanks for the all the suggestions.

Eudaimonium said:

What do you think the other 30% are?
Crap that remains on it.

You do not turn on the laser until it is completely dried, after applying alcohol.

Cotton will scratch glass lens, don't use it.

I used cotton swabs only a couple of times, but only to flow the alcohol across the lens, not to touch it.

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I agree,
Cotton is not a good idea unless it's one of the high-end type swabs made specifically for cleaning precision optics and lenses.

Never use a plain old Q-tip, those thing may be sterilized, but they are not free from very small debris that was picked up in those cotton fields (very small rocks and such).

yes I know I used a fiber optic cleaning swab.

Now I know what not to use but what do I use.

yahhh i have the right cleaning solution and tips to clean in right up.... ( 2filter)