Baader Optical Wonder / Cleaning Solutions

All,

I've been searching for Baader Optical Wonder, and can't seem to find any in the US. Not sure, but it appears it's not allowed in the US.... anyone know why/if this is true? Also, seeing it's time to clean one of my refractors I'd like to find a good cleaner, and would like some suggestions.

The lens in question has a few small silver spots and some general pollen build up.

Thanks for your help!

Joe

I know years ago Astro- Physics sold that product, no longer. Maybe Markus at APM could help. Good luck! Paul

Joe Ramacciotti said:

All,

I've been searching for Baader Optical Wonder, and can't seem to find any in the US. Not sure, but it appears it's not allowed in the US.... anyone know why/if this is true? Also, seeing it's time to clean one of my refractors I'd like to find a good cleaner, and would like some suggestions.

The lens in question has a few small silver spots and some general pollen build up.

Thanks for your help!

Joe

Since it has flammable alcohol as one of the components, it cannot be shipped by air and therefore it is not available for us in the US. You can make your own. Simply add 25% to 40% distilled water to isopropyl alcohol. It will clean off most pollen, but will not remove silver spots. These can be removed by rubbing in circular fashion with your fingertip wetted with your saliva, followed immediately with an alcohol wetted tissue. Do not wait, do not let it dry before the alcohol wipe!!

You can also try Purosol brand optical lens cleaner. It uses a mild soap based liquid to clean off organic materials. Stubborn spots won't come off with this stuff either, but there is always saliva (followed immediately with Purosol!!).

Why does saliva work on the most stubborn spots? It's a well known trick among opticians. Saliva has powerful enzymes that break down the most stubborn of organic compounds (and that's the basis of life). And don't worry, it won't eat the coatings since those are made of inert oxides. And fingertips will not scratch the surface, in fact every optician knows that fingers are nature's most gentle polishing pads. I use mine for final figuring on lenses.

Rolando