Best lens cleaner for dried grease on front lense element?

1 year 3 months ago #748168 by Craig Stone
Last night I was filming some foot photography and complete missed that my lens was a little too close for the final shot.  I have grease all dried up on the front lens element.  I only have a blower and don't want to mess up my lens.  What's going to be the best cleaner to use on this?  


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1 year 3 months ago #748183 by TCav
Q-Tips and distilled water with a touch of Everclear ethyl alcohol.

You can buy Everclear at any liquor store.


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1 year 3 months ago #748191 by Wyrick Photography
+1 use a bunch of Q-tips, wet if there is a lot of grease on your lens.

Canon 5d Mark II • Canon 24-105mm F/4.0 • Canon 135mm F/2.0 • Canon 50mm F/1.8 • Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 • Canon 580ex ii
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1 year 3 months ago #748227 by Colorado Mike
I would just use a microfiber cloth, but then again an old one that I'm ready to toss.  Otherwise use the Q-tips as what ever you use will need to be washed or tossed.  


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1 year 3 months ago - 1 year 3 months ago #748234 by TCav
No dry method will remove the grease. If anything, it will only smear it around.

Q-Tips soaked in distilled water with a touch of ethyl alcohol (Everclear) will loosen and remove the grease.

DO NOT use straight ethyl alcohol as it will dissolve the cotton on the Q-Tips.

Do not use isopropyl alcohol as it often contains additives that add color and/or make it taste bad so people won't die from drinking it. While the alcohol will evaporate, the additives won't.


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1 year 3 months ago #748238 by TCav
Don't scrub with the Q-Tip.

As you run the Q-Tip over the grease, starting at the center of the lens, swipe toward the edge. Rotate the Q-tip in the opposite direction to raise the grease off the lens. Do this a few times, then throw the Q-Tip away and repeat with another. Repeat until the lens is clean.


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1 year 3 months ago #748239 by Colorado Mike

TCav wrote: No dry method will remove the grease. If anything, it will only smear it around.

Q-Tips soaked in distilled water with a touch of ethyl alcohol (Everclear) will loosen and remove the grease.

DO NOT use straight ethyl alcohol as it will dissolve the cotton on the Q-Tips.

Do not use isopropyl alcohol as it often contains additives that add color and/or make it taste bad so people won't die from drinking it. While the alcohol will evaporate, the additives won't.


Yep, I was going to edit my post above, but will comment on yours as you had me thinking my response was incomplete and technically not spot on.  Warm water on microfiber cloth is what you want.  


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1 year 2 months ago #748305 by Raymond Z

TCav wrote: Q-Tips and distilled water with a touch of Everclear ethyl alcohol.

You can buy Everclear at any liquor store.


Ha, you talking about that 157 proof stuff?  I have not heard of this stuff since I was in college.  Strong stuff!!


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1 year 2 months ago #748328 by Mayo
LOL I would have used my t-shirt!  

Canon 5D - Canon 50mm f/1.4 | Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 | Canon 70-200 f/4L
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1 year 2 months ago - 1 year 2 months ago #748337 by TCav

Raymond Z wrote: Ha, you talking about that 157 proof stuff?  I have not heard of this stuff since I was in college.  Strong stuff!!


Everclear is 190 proof. That's 95% pure ethyl alcohol. The other 5% is distilled water.

According to the manufacturer, Everclear "should be viewed as an unfinished ingredient". I know people who use it to make their own Kahlua. I use it for cleaning.

diywitheverclear.com/


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1 year 2 months ago #748361 by Petroguy
And people drank that?! ha ha ha


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1 year 2 months ago #748362 by TCav

Petroguy wrote: And people drank that?! ha ha ha

A quick way to die.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_intoxication#Management

Everclear is an ingredient in many homegrown recipes, but is not and should not be consumed neat.


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1 year 2 months ago #748476 by Tristan R
Always use t-shirt, don't judge :rofl:


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1 year 2 months ago #749306 by Petroguy

TCav wrote:

Petroguy wrote: And people drank that?! ha ha ha

A quick way to die.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_intoxication#Management

Everclear is an ingredient in many homegrown recipes, but is not and should not be consumed neat.



The things we did when young!  Not any more.  That ship has long sailed. 


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