Drill + Buffer / Polish Attachment to fix scratched coating on camera lens, good idea?

[geminihc]

so i have a lens that have the typical purple coating that is lightly scratched multiple times. it doesnt affect picture quality too much except if i'm pointing close or towards the sun/bright light. it'll show as if there was a oil smear in the picture/video.it isnt a deep scratch

i was wondering if anyone has tried using Dremel or a drill /w buffer attachment to try to remove the whole coating altogether so that the scratches do not show. if so, what material of the attachment did you use (felt, or cloth , microfiber etc.) and what removing substance did you use (alcohol or a type of cleaner, polish etc.)

i've tried rubbing really hard with normal rubbing alcohol and microfiber cloth with my hands but it isnt really working.

 

[Leonard Migliore]

so i have a lens that have the typical purple coating that is lightly scratched multiple times. it doesnt affect picture quality too much except if i'm pointing close or towards the sun/bright light. it'll show as if there was a oil smear in the picture/video.it isnt a deep scratch

i was wondering if anyone has tried using Dremel or a drill /w buffer attachment to try to remove the whole coating altogether so that the scratches do not show. if so, what material of the attachment did you use (felt, or cloth , microfiber etc.) and what removing substance did you use (alcohol or a type of cleaner, polish etc.)

i've tried rubbing really hard with normal rubbing alcohol and microfiber cloth with my hands but it isnt really working.

If the coating is scratched, that means that it's gone where there are scratches. If you go after the front element with abrasive all you can do is remove the coating from where it's left. Now you have an uncoated front element which is going to ruin your contrast. This is in addition to whatever damage you may have done to the shape of the glass.

You can't buff this stuff out.

 

[LynniePad]

You need a new lens with a protective filter.

You should never need to touch the surface of a lens, much less attack it with a Dremel. I almost think that filling the scratch with black ink might be better than completely destroying the surface of the lens.

 

[AlbertTheLazy]

You need a new lens with a protective filter.

You should never need to touch the surface of a lens, much less attack it with a Dremel. I almost think that filling the scratch with black ink might be better than completely destroying the surface of the lens.

Or you could try a hard wax polish, well buffed.

:-D

 

[Alphoid]

I don't think anyone has been dumb enough to try it. It will just make things worse. A lot worse.

1. The point of a lens isn't to have a smooth surface so much as it is to have a precisely shaped surface. If you manage to grind it down to the scratch, the whole thing will be worthless.
2. Glass is hard. It's not easy to grind. Normal rubbing alcohol and cloth won't do a thing. Only chance is if you accidentally get a grain of sand or similar in there (which is also glass), in which case, you'll scratch it up worse.
3. You really do want a lens coating. It's there for a reason.
4. If you want advice beyond that, post a photo of the lens, and what it does to images.

 

[PalmettoFellow]

The way I see it, the lens needs repair/replacement.
I assume they will replace the front element instead of stripping off the coating and recoating it. I say go for it but plan on a repair shortly thereafter.

 

[Hank3152]

so i have a lens that have the typical purple coating that is lightly scratched multiple times. it doesnt affect picture quality too much except if i'm pointing close or towards the sun/bright light. it'll show as if there was a oil smear in the picture/video.it isnt a deep scratch

Which lens is it? Either use a lens hood and don't point it towards the sun or replace the front element if it's an expensive lens. But as others have said trying to remove the coating yourself will only make it worse so just let it be........

I'm surprised they affect the image at all after reading this article....... Front element scratches

 

[jgitomer]

so i have a lens that have the typical purple coating that is lightly scratched multiple times. it doesnt affect picture quality too much except if i'm pointing close or towards the sun/bright light. it'll show as if there was a oil smear in the picture/video.it isnt a deep scratch

i was wondering if anyone has tried using Dremel or a drill /w buffer attachment to try to remove the whole coating altogether so that the scratches do not show. if so, what material of the attachment did you use (felt, or cloth , microfiber etc.) and what removing substance did you use (alcohol or a type of cleaner, polish etc.)

i've tried rubbing really hard with normal rubbing alcohol and microfiber cloth with my hands but it isnt really working.

no! No! NO!

Don't even think about taking a Dremel to your lens (unless you need a paperweight).

If it was my lens and the image quality was okay I would leave it alone.

If you are determined to take action one thing I have seen recommended is to carefully fill in the scratches with black liquid shoe polish. Doing so is reported to reduce lens flaring when the lens is pointed towards a light source.

Jerry

 

[Mark B.]

so i have a lens that have the typical purple coating that is lightly scratched multiple times. it doesnt affect picture quality too much except if i'm pointing close or towards the sun/bright light. it'll show as if there was a oil smear in the picture/video.it isnt a deep scratch

i was wondering if anyone has tried using Dremel or a drill /w buffer attachment to try to remove the whole coating altogether so that the scratches do not show. if so, what material of the attachment did you use (felt, or cloth , microfiber etc.) and what removing substance did you use (alcohol or a type of cleaner, polish etc.)

i've tried rubbing really hard with normal rubbing alcohol and microfiber cloth with my hands but it isnt really working.

This isn't a painted metal car finish, it's glass. You've probably removed any remaining protective coating on the lens by using the rubbing alcohol. A powered buffer will certainly take care of it in very short order.

If it were me and the scratches were that bad I'd consider getting a quote on replacing the front element, depending on the cost of the lens. It seems whatever or whereever you're shooting is pretty hazardous to the lens (or you have really bad luck!), so I'd also recommend a high-quality protective filter in addition to the proper lens hood.

Mark

 

[hotdog321]

so i have a lens that have the typical purple coating that is lightly scratched multiple times. it doesnt affect picture quality too much except if i'm pointing close or towards the sun/bright light. it'll show as if there was a oil smear in the picture/video.it isnt a deep scratch

i was wondering if anyone has tried using Dremel or a drill /w buffer attachment to try to remove the whole coating altogether so that the scratches do not show. if so, what material of the attachment did you use (felt, or cloth , microfiber etc.) and what removing substance did you use (alcohol or a type of cleaner, polish etc.)

i've tried rubbing really hard with normal rubbing alcohol and microfiber cloth with my hands but it isnt really working.

If the coating is scratched, that means that it's gone where there are scratches. If you go after the front element with abrasive all you can do is remove the coating from where it's left. Now you have an uncoated front element which is going to ruin your contrast. This is in addition to whatever damage you may have done to the shape of the glass.

You can't buff this stuff out.

 

[D Cox]

so i have a lens that have the typical purple coating that is lightly scratched multiple times. it doesnt affect picture quality too much except if i'm pointing close or towards the sun/bright light. it'll show as if there was a oil smear in the picture/video.it isnt a deep scratch

i was wondering if anyone has tried using Dremel or a drill /w buffer attachment to try to remove the whole coating altogether so that the scratches do not show. if so, what material of the attachment did you use (felt, or cloth , microfiber etc.) and what removing substance did you use (alcohol or a type of cleaner, polish etc.)

i've tried rubbing really hard with normal rubbing alcohol and microfiber cloth with my hands but it isnt really working.

Extremely bad idea, and "rubbing really hard" is almost equally bad.

Just live with the lens as it is. The less you touch a lens surface the better -- perhaps a _gentle_ clean every five years is OK.

 

[Chikoo]

so i have a lens that have the typical purple coating that is lightly scratched multiple times. it doesnt affect picture quality too much except if i'm pointing close or towards the sun/bright light. it'll show as if there was a oil smear in the picture/video.it isnt a deep scratch

i was wondering if anyone has tried using Dremel or a drill /w buffer attachment to try to remove the whole coating altogether so that the scratches do not show. if so, what material of the attachment did you use (felt, or cloth , microfiber etc.) and what removing substance did you use (alcohol or a type of cleaner, polish etc.)

i've tried rubbing really hard with normal rubbing alcohol and microfiber cloth with my hands but it isnt really working.

try this. LOL. Seriously. This is not paint polish on a car that you can buff it out.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Fluids-and-Chemicals/Scratch-Remover/_/N-26m4

 

[TTMartin]

so i have a lens that have the typical purple coating that is lightly scratched multiple times. it doesnt affect picture quality too much except if i'm pointing close or towards the sun/bright light. it'll show as if there was a oil smear in the picture/video.it isnt a deep scratch

i was wondering if anyone has tried using Dremel or a drill /w buffer attachment to try to remove the whole coating altogether so that the scratches do not show. if so, what material of the attachment did you use (felt, or cloth , microfiber etc.) and what removing substance did you use (alcohol or a type of cleaner, polish etc.)

i've tried rubbing really hard with normal rubbing alcohol and microfiber cloth with my hands but it isnt really working.

Just buy a LensPen and use it.

 

[OpticsEngineer]

An old trick that sometimes helps, wash hands , then touch the side of your nose with your finger to pick up just a tiny bit of oil, then rub finger on the lens, then buff with a cloth. (this process it fills in the scratches

Not that much to lose at this point. I would give it a try.

 

[ajitartist]

Im currently looking to remove a deep scratches from a lens of a cheap point and shoot i got. any tips do share but here something i found

Markus Keinath - Photo Lens Coating Removal

Photographic Lens Coating Removed

www.4photos.de

Removing the coating could yield interesting results in terms of flare.

As someone said the front element might need to be removed and replaced so if you are sending it for repair may as well try carefully.

for myself i need to get a suitable dremel and polish both of which im still looking for... im going to head to a jewellers/crystal seller when i get a chance

 

[donaldsc]

Steel wookl might work. Or else, try some of this -

"

"For those customers who have applications involving the use of dry diamond powder, Lapmaster offers three (3) types of diamond: Monocrystalline Synthetic (both resin and metal bond), Polycrystalline Synthetic, and Natural diamond powder."

Both of these options would do a great job on the front element of your lens.

Seriously - do nothing at all and live w it.