Step by step

Step 1

Keep your eyepieces safe, dry and free from dust in a suitable closed storage box with the eye caps attached. The eyepieces should be separated from one another by foam padding to avoid any physical damage.

Step 2

Eyepieces are, of course, at their most vulnerable when outside in the dark, so transfer them to a suitable open storage box that will keep them from rolling about. Arrange them in focal length order and protect them with a lift-off lid.

Step 3

Use a high-power blower bulb held near to, and directed at, the front of the lens. Direct several sharp blasts of air at the surface to dislodge loose dust particles. Hold the eyepiece with the eye lens pointing downwards and the barrel capped.

Step 4

Grease, fingerprints and stubborn particles need to be dissolved away with cleaning fluid. Apply two drops of the fluid to a fresh lens cleaning tissue and carefully wipe from the lens centre outwards. Never apply fluid directly to the lens.

Step 5

While the lens is still moist with the fluid, use a micro-fibre cloth to very gently polish the surface to remove any smears left by the previous cleaning process. Only press very gently, using a fresh area of the cloth, turning it as you work.

Step 6

Carefully examine the lens under a bright light or torch to check for any stubborn particles or greasy marks. Repeat from Step 4 using fresh tissues each time until you are happy that you have got the surface as clean as possible.