Rob, Surplus Shed sells Canadian Balsam and cementing lenses isn't too difficult. However, de-cementing a lens can be tricky, especially if a modern lens cement has been used. And the larger the lens, the greater the factor of difficulty. Your best bet may be contacting the distributor. On Jan 4, 2008 10:54 AM, Rob Ratkowski Photography <ratkwski@hawaii.rr.com> wrote:
Aloha
Optimizing my Burgess refractor for solar viewing, I painted the edge of the lens. Wellllllllllllll, the solvent has migrated into the lens where it was cemented together to about 1" leaving black spots. Does anyone know who does lens recementing?? I haven't used the scope yet and I would expect some flaring and such from the black paint, but it's UGLY.
Follow up the Burgess 127 doublet is air spaced. I was about to use mineral spirits to separate the elements when I noticed a space and then remembered the 3 clear tabs. It popped apart easily and w/ some fine surgical gauze and mineral spirits, clean up began. After removing all visible traces of paint and spirits I then used a good alcohol based lens cleaner to remove any residue. I now have to get more fine surgical gauze and locate a bottle of 'Everclear' brand of grain alcohol or some good ethyl alcohol. Bottom line is WHEW!!!, this to date could have been my biggest foul up. I'll post a photo of the lens when it had spots, it was NOT pretty. Aloha and Mahalo Rob
Glad to hear it wasn't the mess you thought it was. I think a little "Everclear" and coke is just what the Island Doctor ordered! ;) Quoting Rob Ratkowski Photography <ratkwski@hawaii.rr.com>:
Follow up
the Burgess 127 doublet is air spaced. I was about to use mineral spirits to separate the elements when I noticed a space and then remembered the 3 clear tabs. It popped apart easily and w/ some fine surgical gauze and mineral spirits, clean up began. After removing all visible traces of paint and spirits I then used a good alcohol based lens cleaner to remove any residue. I now have to get more fine surgical gauze and locate a bottle of 'Everclear' brand of grain alcohol or some good ethyl alcohol. Bottom line is WHEW!!!, this to date could have been my biggest foul up. I'll post a photo of the lens when it had spots, it was NOT pretty.
Aloha and Mahalo Rob
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I called the country store that was supposed to have it , but NO. I did find that 70% isopropyl alcohol worked just fine. I had an ever so slight film that needed to be removed and the 'rubbing' alcohol worked just fine. I then tried to get the assembled lens back into it's cell and somehow even w/ my most careful efforts, it got stuck. I did free it but I now need to clean all surfaces again. I'm washing my microfiber cloths now, I use them once and wash again, no transfer of any type. Once I have the lens assembled, in its' cell and back on the scope, I will leave it there and not touch it again for at least another year. It has been fun ........................... Aloha Rob
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Rob Ratkowski Photography