TLR-1 Lens Cleaning

[jakk280rem]

I have a Glock 19OD with a Streamlight TLR-1attached. It's my main go to HD/nightstand gun. I shoot it quite a bit. Mostly with the light attached and mostly with ball practice ammo. Whatever I can get cheap. S&B, Federal, Fiocci, that stuff in the black and orange box the name of wich escapes me at the moment, etc... I keep the gun clean the usual way with conventional cleaning products. But the light receives its fair share of firing residue. So far I've been using MNAPCL wich seems to be working to a degree.

Will powder solvent damage the lens? Will the carbon buildup damage the lens? What's the best way to clean the lens? How do you clean it?

 

[rcmodel]

Eyeglasses pre-moistened lens cleaning tissues.
http://www.google.com/products/cata...ZgMT-iDEo2msQLxuaz8BQ&sqi=2&ved=0CJABEPMCMAQ#

Wallyworld sells them.

Or rubbing alcohol on a Q-Tip.

rc

 

[IDriveB5]

http://www.streamlight.com/documents/op-instructions/TLR_op.pdf

The TLR rail clamp tensioning bolt requires an application of high quality gun oil to keep it rust
free. Use a soft cloth and mild detergent to clean the glass LED lens and keep it free of dirt and
grime. The laser aperture (TLR-2) can be cleaned with a Q-tip (or similar item) and mild
detergent.
Note: Always avoid aggressive cleaning solutions as they may damage the TLR.

I just wipe mine clean with a paper towel or a rag, whichever.

 

[Hit_Factor]

LoL RTFM, good answer.

 

[jakk280rem]

So it is glass. I was unsure. Thought it might be polycabonate or some other high impact plastic. I'll try some dish detergent. I was able to get the bulk of it of with spit and a rag and some fingernail action, but there was some pieces that were stuck on quite good. I'll get a bit more aggressive with it.

 

[JohnBT]

"I just wipe mine clean with a paper towel"

Never use paper products. They contain small particles of wood and will scratch lenses and over time make a real mess of the surface. I've been wearing glasses for 50 years and this is always the advice given. The two reasons typically mentioned are that they contain small wood particles or diatomanceous material.

Here's one example from a 26 page instruction manual for a microscope.

http://130.15.90.245/articles/proper alignment of the light microscope.pdf

"IMPORTANT NOTE: Never use Kimwipes or commercial facial tissue, because they may contain a filler that is part diatomaceous material (glass). One pass of a Kleenex could ruin an objective."

 

[Tomac]

A thin layer of Vaseline to coat the lens before shooting, wipes off easily afterwards taking the residue with it.
Tomac