Mirror cleaning

boger

boger

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Roger
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Hi,
My friends Nikon has a really filthy mirror he was going to clean it with a cotton bud wet with lens cleaner but I asked him to wait and see what you guy's came up with. So what should he use? thanks
 
I know you're not really supposed to, but that's exactly what I do too!
 
Me too, have done it with all my film SLR's since my first Zenith E in 1976 onwards.
 
As long as it's dust on the mirror, that's what I'd do... if it was the goo-ey residue from deteriorating mirror buffers that some cameras get, then it can need something a little stronger, and personally, I'd sooner let someone with a steadier hand than I can muster do the job as part of a proper CLA service...
 
Yup, check that what your using won't attack the mirror too quickly by putting some first on the area where the mirror hits the bumper. Then when cleaning let the fluid do the work - no rubbing to remove the coating!
 
I've read somewhere that the mirror is very delicate erm well maybe it is for some cameras but the one out of a Petri is tough as old boots...it's been on my computer table for months mixing with junk (a mirror for my grandaughters dolls house), anyway it has very good scratch resistance.
 
Thanks a lot for all your replies, seems I made a fool of myself thinking it was a very delicate operation . I'll let him get on with it then. Thanks Roger
 
He should be fine, but what's the worst that can happen? If the mirror really is a mess, and it's going to be difficult/expensive to replace, I might play safe and get it cleaned professionally as Mark suggested.
 
boger said:
Thanks a lot for all your replies, seems I made a fool of myself thinking it was a very delicate operation . I'll let him get on with it then. Thanks Roger
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No, it is a very delicate operation - most are first surface mirrors which are inherantly more delicate than standard "bathroom" mirrors. Go in with that mindset and it will most likely be fine, go in with a mindset of "it's just a mirror" and it will almost certainly be damaged! Usual warnings apply (i.e. this is all advice off the net etc :)
 
A bit alarmed by the responses here personally - do so at your own risk!
 
Most mirrors are front surface silvered . many with a semi-silvered portion.
They scratch as soon as you look at them.
I just blow the dust off.
 
There is a letter in this week's Amateur Photographer's 'Ask the experts' section regarding cleaning an old SLR. When it came to mirrors, the expert stated that there was a change in coating technology round about 1980 and that older mirrors are delicate and can be damaged by a cloth, whereas later ones are more resilient. I only buy the magazine when there is substantial film-based content, so I'm just quoting from my memory of browsing through it on the supermarket shelf.
 
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