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Cleaning an IR filter without removing aperture?

B

Battlefrank

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Hello, recently bought a laser, I got it, used it, now it has crap gathering on it's IR filter.
I tried to google some guides on fixing this, but every single one had "remove the aperture" as the first step.
I took pliers to the aperture, tried everything, then emailed the manufacturer. They responded saying it's sealed. They also said there are some easy ways to clean it without removing the aperture, but listed no such methods.

So, is it possible to clean the IR filter on my laser WITHOUT removing the unremovable aperture?
 





Bionic-Badger

Bionic-Badger

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Re: Cleaning an IR filter without removing apertur

The real question is: can you access the IR filter directly? If not, you'll need to remove it. Though that might not be an issue anyway if it's sealed.

What I've found works okay for cleaning laser lenses, filters, etc. is to get a Q-tip, dip it in rubbing alcohol, clean the lense, and then get some canned air to blow away whatever might've fallen onto it. I've even done that on CCDs and there's no lingering residue as far as I can tell. Other people use more delicate methods, like using CDROM disc cleaners with some special cleaning fluids, etc. but I doubt you have any plastics in there that'll get scratched from a Q-tip in alcohol.
 
B

Battlefrank

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Re: Cleaning an IR filter without removing apertur

This isn't working too well.
Any other methods?
Also worth noting that for compressed air all I have is a turkey baster
 
B

Battlefrank

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Re: Cleaning an IR filter without removing apertur

Oh no, I think my laser is damaged now.
the spotty effect is now mostly constricted NEAR the dot, making it look weird.
 
potatorage

potatorage

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Re: Cleaning an IR filter without removing apertur

show us a picture of the laser-- then we can tell you how to open it ;)
 
B

Battlefrank

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Re: Cleaning an IR filter without removing apertur

I would but this forum software is a severe irritant and won't let me.
Oh well.
 
Bionic-Badger

Bionic-Badger

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Re: Cleaning an IR filter without removing apertur

I'd go BUY some canned air at the local office store and not rely on your baster.
 
T

tony70516

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Re: Cleaning an IR filter without removing apertur

take my advice. most green lasers have an Ir filter located directly after the diode so accessing it would be impossible unless you remove the top. unless its missing a lens, which i doubt. also microfiber cloths aren't the best ways to clean it, neither are q tips. what you do to remove the top part is take two pairs of pliers, put a cloth or something underneath to prevent scratching. and grab the end, and than the laser shaft, (where the seal is or where it splits) gently squeeze down and turn opposite directions, that works so well to remove seals i always do it. than when your finished just put it back together and secure with crazy glue, gorilla glue or gorilla tape. not a lot of glue though!! i found gorilla glue to reseal it better than the factory did.
good luck
 
B

Battlefrank

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Re: Cleaning an IR filter without removing apertur

Well, I ended up expirementing and found out that using my microfiber cloth with any thin long object, I can clean the filter. It works pretty well.
 
H

hydrogenman15

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Re: Cleaning an IR filter without removing apertur

tony70516 said:
take my advice. [highlight]most green lasers have an Ir filter located directly after the diode[/highlight] so accessing it would be impossible unless you remove the top. unless its missing a lens, which i doubt. also microfiber cloths aren't the best ways to clean it, neither are q tips. what you do to remove the top part is take two pairs of pliers, put a cloth or something underneath to prevent scratching. and grab the end, and than the laser shaft, (where the seal is or where it splits) gently squeeze down and turn opposite directions, that works so well to remove seals i always do it. than when your finished just put it back together and secure with crazy glue, gorilla glue or gorilla tape. not a lot of glue though!! i found gorilla glue to reseal it better than the factory did.
good luck
Click to expand...

If you where to put a IR filter in front of the pump diode then there won't be any light emitted from the aperture because there won't be any light to pump the crystals.

--hydro15
 
B

Battlefrank

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Re: Cleaning an IR filter without removing apertur

Oh no, my microfiber cloth isn't working, and no, I don't want to do a ton of crazy crap with the seal.
is there ANY specialized tool IN THIS WORLD that exists that would help me here?
 
Bionic-Badger

Bionic-Badger

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Re: Cleaning an IR filter without removing apertur

What about alcohol on the microfiber cloth, and then some canned air for cleanup?
 
B

Battlefrank

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Re: Cleaning an IR filter without removing apertur

Also, SHIT WHY THE HELL IS IT THAT EVERY TIME I FIND SOMETHING THAT WORKS IT ONLY WORKS ONCE LEAVING ME ENDLESS. FUCKING ENDLESS FRUSTRATION TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT TO DO!?!?!?!? AGSGGEGHEAGSHAAEAEAEHGHEGGHEERG!!!!!
 
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