How to clean a polarising filter?

[Rebel04]

Hello, I just buy a Heliopan 105mm circular polarising filter, multi coated filter (very expensive filter! so I want to clean it well if there is dirt)

question: if the filter is dirty (for example, fingerprints or water droplets) how can I clean it? a microfiber cloth (I have two Lee microfiber cloths) does not clean fingerprints or some type of dirt, so what can I use?

I have the lenspen kit, but on their website it says do not to use the pen on polarizing filters ( see here: https://www.lenspen.com/media/IS_480_New_FilterKlear_5 lang instr_2ol.pdf )

Today I tried to clean a Hoya pro-1 polarizer with Eclispe liquid + pec-pad, but liquid leaves halos... And another question: is there no problems if I use a liquid on a multi-coated filter? Can I use Eclipse?

...Is there a recommended way of cleaning a polariser filter??

Thanks

 

[overniteman]

I use ROR and some lens tissue. Fingerprints and dirt wipe off clean.

 

[Rebel04]

I use ROR and some lens tissue. Fingerprints and dirt wipe off clean.

excuse me (I'm italian) what is ROR? what does it mean? thanks

 

[overniteman]

ROR is a lens / optical solution. Check Amazon.com. It will give you a better description and you can order it.

It works really well.

 

[BBbuilder467]

I must have missed the memo, because I've been using a Lenspen on a Hoya CPL for the last 6 years.

Lenspen has a version called Filter Klear that has a larger pad that's flat rather than concave, which would probably work better on a filter.

I noticed that they have a big "Safe on All Filters" on the front of the package.

 

[PVCdroid]

Hello, I just buy a Heliopan 105mm circular polarising filter, multi coated filter (very expensive filter! so I want to clean it well if there is dirt)

question: if the filter is dirty (for example, fingerprints or water droplets) how can I clean it? a microfiber cloth (I have two Lee microfiber cloths) does not clean fingerprints or some type of dirt, so what can I use?

I have the lenspen kit, but on their website it says do not to use the pen on polarizing filters ( see here: https://www.lenspen.com/media/IS_480_New_FilterKlear_5 lang instr_2ol.pdf )

Today I tried to clean a Hoya pro-1 polarizer with Eclispe liquid + pec-pad, but liquid leaves halos... And another question: is there no problems if I use a liquid on a multi-coated filter? Can I use Eclipse?

...Is there a recommended way of cleaning a polariser filter??

Thanks

I'm glad I looked at this because I had no idea polarising filters had special cleaning requirements. It looks like you are on the right track with the Eclipse drops with caution not to get liquid in between the glass plates. Moderation is the key to everything. lol. There isn't a lot of information on this subject except for warnings, but I did find this on a Hoya link here:

To maintain the best optical performance of your filters, here is how we recommend cleaning HOYA filters as well as all multi-coated optics.

1. Use high-quality disposable lens tissues and a liquid lens cleaner.
2. Make sure the glass surface has no dust or grit on it.
3. Take a lens tissue, fold it once or twice (depending on size), and place a couple drops of liquid lens cleaner on the tissue and wipe with the tissue in a circular pattern starting from the center and moving out to the edge.
4. Immediately follow the first tissue with a new dry tissue using the same pattern.

Warning: HOYA does not recommend using the standard fabric "lens cleaning cloths" with any liquid because dust and grid can become trapped in the fibers and damage the lens or filter on subsequent uses.

Hoya filters are "hard-coated", meaning the metals and chemicals that make up the coating are applied in a furnace to bond them to the surface of the glass.

I also found this in another forum which is kind of contradictory. I think the Eclipse drops are a good start but just don't flood the filter. The concern is liquid getting in between the glass plates:

I believe that a primary concern is to avoid getting any liquid, including cleaning fluid, inside the filter, which can damage or destroy the filter. As long as you don't saturate the microfiber cloth or lens cleaning tissue, you should be OK.

Start by blowing any surface dirt/dust away from the filter. A bulb blower or properly used "Dust Pro" (or similar "canned" blower) is suitable. Follow with a static brush to remove particulates the previous blower missed. Next use breath condensate and clean lens cleaning tissues in circular strokes, starting at the center and moving out, minimal pressure. Progress to lens cleaning tissue or clean micro-fiber cloth, with minimal lens cleaning fluid and little pressure. Repeat as many times as necessary. Finish with clean and dry lens cleaning tissue and breath condensate.

Practice first on a cheap filter, or at least a filter which would be difficult to harm (like a UV or protective filter). If you experience any pooling of the cleaning fluid, you're using too much fluid to be safe with the polarizer. If you must use the pre-moistened lens cleaning cloths, be sure to allow the fluid on the cloth to partially evaporate to a safe level first.

Proper technique should allow minimal pressure coupled with many passes of fresh cleaning surfaces and fresh cleaning fluid.

Have some dry lens cleaning tissue available so that if you experience any obvious liquid at the edges of the polarizing filter you can absorb it quickly before it infiltrates the filter.

All of the above is at your own risk. Since I cannot control anyone else's procedures and techniques, I am not responsible for any damages which might arise.

 

[hotdog321]

My expensive Nikon thin-ring multi-coated CP says to use alcohol in the instructions. Use a minimal amount on a microfiber cloth so it doesn't seep into the ring.

 

[Mr. Cool]

" Formula MC" is another excellent Lens and flter cleaner. I have used it for years and it workes great on Polarising Filiters. Product is from Peca Products, Beloit, WI 53511. www.pecaproducts.com

 

[nkistrup]

Hello, I just buy a Heliopan 105mm circular polarising filter, multi coated filter (very expensive filter! so I want to clean it well if there is dirt)

question: if the filter is dirty (for example, fingerprints or water droplets) how can I clean it? a microfiber cloth (I have two Lee microfiber cloths) does not clean fingerprints or some type of dirt, so what can I use?

I have the lenspen kit, but on their website it says do not to use the pen on polarizing filters ( see here: https://www.lenspen.com/media/IS_480_New_FilterKlear_5 lang instr_2ol.pdf )

Today I tried to clean a Hoya pro-1 polarizer with Eclispe liquid + pec-pad, but liquid leaves halos... And another question: is there no problems if I use a liquid on a multi-coated filter? Can I use Eclipse?

...Is there a recommended way of cleaning a polariser filter??

Thanks

1. Brush,
2. Microfiber cloth,
3. Carbon end of the Lenspen + #2,
4. ROR

Most of filters are B+W, but have 1 Heliopan. Go down the list, and rarely do I need to use ROR (large smudges only). One on occasion, panicked because I thought that I scratched a filter; Lenspen corrected it.

 

[rebel99]

Hello, I just buy a Heliopan 105mm circular polarising filter, multi coated filter (very expensive filter! so I want to clean it well if there is dirt)

question: if the filter is dirty (for example, fingerprints or water droplets) how can I clean it? a microfiber cloth (I have two Lee microfiber cloths) does not clean fingerprints or some type of dirt, so what can I use?

I have the lenspen kit, but on their website it says do not to use the pen on polarizing filters ( see here: https://www.lenspen.com/media/IS_480_New_FilterKlear_5 lang instr_2ol.pdf )

Today I tried to clean a Hoya pro-1 polarizer with Eclispe liquid + pec-pad, but liquid leaves halos... And another question: is there no problems if I use a liquid on a multi-coated filter? Can I use Eclipse?

...Is there a recommended way of cleaning a polariser filter??

Thanks

this is a very good question, i have invested a lot of money in purchasing Lee filters and CPL and the kit. i don't see any finger print or dust or any other smudges on my filters yet because i take care of them very very well but it doesn't take very much to leave finger print on them. anyways, it had never occurred to me to ask this important question around. Lee Co. has not left any documentation regarding how to clean their filters. all i know is to avoid touching the surface of the filters by all means because it'll jack up the material that is left on the resin or glass which will render the filter useless ;-) thanks for some of the answers.

cheerz.

 

[BG454]

Hello, I just buy a Heliopan 105mm circular polarising filter, multi coated filter (very expensive filter! so I want to clean it well if there is dirt)

question: if the filter is dirty (for example, fingerprints or water droplets) how can I clean it? a microfiber cloth (I have two Lee microfiber cloths) does not clean fingerprints or some type of dirt, so what can I use?

I have the lenspen kit, but on their website it says do not to use the pen on polarizing filters ( see here: https://www.lenspen.com/media/IS_480_New_FilterKlear_5 lang instr_2ol.pdf )

Today I tried to clean a Hoya pro-1 polarizer with Eclispe liquid + pec-pad, but liquid leaves halos... And another question: is there no problems if I use a liquid on a multi-coated filter? Can I use Eclipse?

Some of those Hoya Pro filters are really difficult to clean, to the degree that they have recently introduced a new range with a different filter coating.
I have a Hoya Pro polariser that I cannot stop from smearing when I clean it.

I believe that most of the liquid cleaners contain a dilute solution of isopropyl alcohol, but I have not yet tried any on my Hoya PL.

The use of a tissue or microfiber cloth "dry" is not he best way to clean a lens or filter, you need some kind of liquid, otherwise you are just pushing the dirt around, especially if it is greasy, like a finger mark.
Also, beware of scratching the surface, use a blower and/or brush to remove any loose particles before applying any cloth or tissue to the surface.

 

[Rebel04]

thanks to all for yours advice !!

this is a very good question, i have invested a lot of money in purchasing Lee filters and CPL and the kit. i don't see any finger print or dust or any other smudges on my filters yet because i take care of them very very well but it doesn't take very much to leave finger print on them. anyways, it had never occurred to me to ask this important question around. Lee Co. has not left any documentation regarding how to clean their filters. all i know is to avoid touching the surface of the filters by all means because it'll jack up the material that is left on the resin or glass which will render the filter useless ;-) thanks for some of the answers.

cheerz.

many people suggest to use soapy water (with Marseille liquid soap) especially if you shoot near sea, or lenspen for cleaning fingerprints on Lee NDG/ND, or also a liquid such for example Eclipse ... my question was about CPL because they have a multi coated surface and I am afraid of damaging them if I use the wrong product

 

[rebel99]

thanks to all for yours advice !!

this is a very good question, i have invested a lot of money in purchasing Lee filters and CPL and the kit. i don't see any finger print or dust or any other smudges on my filters yet because i take care of them very very well but it doesn't take very much to leave finger print on them. anyways, it had never occurred to me to ask this important question around. Lee Co. has not left any documentation regarding how to clean their filters. all i know is to avoid touching the surface of the filters by all means because it'll jack up the material that is left on the resin or glass which will render the filter useless ;-) thanks for some of the answers.

cheerz.

many people suggest to use soapy water (with Marseille liquid soap) especially if you shoot near sea, or lenspen for cleaning fingerprints on Lee NDG/ND, or also a liquid such for example Eclipse ... my question was about CPL because they have a multi coated surface and I am afraid of damaging them if I use the wrong product

yes, i understood your question, and i do have a Lee CPL as well ;-) my GND filters happen to be risen and not glass. as far as i know, it is the chemical that is used on the risen is not supposed to be rubbed or washed. i am surprised the Lee hasn't included any documentation regarding cleaning these filters ;-)

cheerz.

 

[NancyP]

I use a tiny dot of ROR on lens paper, gently dabbed on the oily fingerprint, for lenses, and the coatings have been fine. Some polarizer filters have the polarizer material sandwiched between two open-edge pieces of glass, and if solvent gets past the filter ring to the polarizing material, it probably hurts the polarizing material. If you have Kaesemann - type polarizers, where the polarizer is hermetically sealed within the glass outer layers, I think that you would be safe using any coating-friendly solvent/lens cleaner.

 

[DesertLynx]

Hello, I just buy a Heliopan 105mm circular polarising filter, multi coated filter (very expensive filter! so I want to clean it well if there is dirt)

question: if the filter is dirty (for example, fingerprints or water droplets) how can I clean it? a microfiber cloth (I have two Lee microfiber cloths) does not clean fingerprints or some type of dirt, so what can I use?

I have the lenspen kit, but on their website it says do not to use the pen on polarizing filters ( see here: https://www.lenspen.com/media/IS_480_New_FilterKlear_5 lang instr_2ol.pdf )

Today I tried to clean a Hoya pro-1 polarizer with Eclispe liquid + pec-pad, but liquid leaves halos... And another question: is there no problems if I use a liquid on a multi-coated filter? Can I use Eclipse?

...Is there a recommended way of cleaning a polariser filter??

Thanks

Cleaning any multi-coated filter is a GIANT PITA... Especially HOYA filters. Though trial and error and reading I've come up with a method I use with both filters and lens (though seldom used with lens since there is always a filter on the lens).

Step 1. Blow any dirt or dust off the filter. If any gunk is still there a *light* brush or flicking of what remains to remove it from the surface.

Step 2. Put a *drop* of Formula MC on a Pec-Pad and and starting in the filter center wipe in a circular motion until you reach the edge. One or Two passes should be enough to remove any grease on the filter.

Step 3. No mater what you do you will still have a "halo" left behind. To remove, get out a Q-tip dip it in Distilled Water. Water it the most polar solvent known, but has a neutral Ph of 7.0

Step 4. Roll the excess water off on a microfibre cloth to adsorb the excess water.

Step 5. Starting in the center of the filter start in a circular pattern and then dry the excess water before it dries. Clean; Dry; Clean; Dry... until you reach the outer edge of the filter. Repeat if necessary .

Now for some Post Notes: I buy a lot of USED filters usually in Excellent --> New condition. You can save a LOT of money buying USED filters. Some of them can be REALLY dirty. You will have to use the above procedure on BOTH SIDES of the filter.

Once the filter is CLEAN and BEFORE you screw the filter onto the lens, find a TOOTHPICK and a high quality grease -- Si based, Li based, or one of today's modern synthetic greases. Wipe the threads to get any gunk out of the threads. You might what to clean the threads first before you clean the filter.

With the threads clean, squeeze a tad of grease onto a piece of paper. Now take the TOOTHPICK and pick up some grease and dab it on three places on the threads equi-disant around the filter. Now place the filter on the lens, screw it in 1/4 turn and then back off too make sure the filter is properly seated. This prevents you from accidentally cross-threading the filter on. Now screw the filter all the way on finger tight. The tiny amount of grease you put on the threads will prevent the filter from corroding into place and making it extremely hard to remove the filter and possibly destroying the lens in the process of removing the filter.

 

[tintifax]

I clean every optical surface (my camera-gear, my optical glasses, my sunglasses and my binoculars) in the same way: first blow away dust, then use a blowing-brush or a brush for optical use, than a dry optical cleaning-cloth (you can buy at opticans to clean optical glasses) and if necessery a wet optical cleaning-cloth that you can buy pre-packed piece by piece.

That has been working for more than 35 years on every glass ......

 

[HRC2016]

Have you tried wiping it with a crumpled dollar bill?

 

[Air Cooled Nut]

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www.amazon.com

--
Toby

 

[Robert A Simeone]

Nowadays, Special cleaning clothes for glasses are available in market.