How to Clean Reflector Telescope Mirrors

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By Alexis Lawrence
eHow Contributing Writer

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Cleaning the mirror on your reflector telescope is a delicate operation. A reflector telescope mirror should only be cleaned if it is absolutely necessary. If you can see a reflection in the mirror, the mirror should not be cleaned. But if the mirror on your reflector telescope is so dirty that no reflection is visible in it, it will be necessary to clean the reflector telescope mirror. Great care should be taken due to the fragile nature of the reflector telescope mirror.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Canned air
Mild dish detergent
Eye glass chamois
Bottled water

Step 1

Remove loose dust from the mirror. This should be done with canned air to prevent the dust from scratching the surface of the mirror.
Step 2

Rinse the mirror under warm water. Use only a gentle water stream. This will remove the dirt that isn't caked on.
Step 3

Wipe the surface of a mirror with a heavily diluted dish detergent. Use a mild detergent and a very soft cloth. An eye glass chamois is particularly good for this because it is made to prevent scratches. This should remove the caked on dirt.
Step 4

Rinse the mirror thoroughly with bottled water. Tap water may leave chemical deposits on the surface.
Step 5

Prop the mirror up on its side to dry so that the water will run off. Make sure the mirror is completely dried before putting it back into the telescope.