Cleaning an SCT primary mirror

Job done.

Very straight forward actually.

Front retaining ring held by hex screws and comes away easily to reveal the corrector plate. The plate is pre-marked by Meade for orientation but on mine the lines were about 3-4 mm off alignment. Rather than re-align I just put two new marks on it for refitting since the scope was preforming fine and I wasn't sure if the original marks had been moved deliberately by Meade.
Took the corrector out, covered the tube and went inside to clean it. Dispensed with the hard hat and safety boots and put on a Tyvek hooded suit plus latex gloves. Diluted isopropyl alcohol plus cotton balls and Kleenex sorted it out. Then back out to do the same with the mirror.
Finally gave both a brush with a soft make-up brush and tak ragged the inside of the tube before refitting the corrector.

What is all the fuss about doing this? (Hope I don't speak too soon )

glad it worked out Kieran

phoenix wrote: tak ragged the inside of the tube

Say what?

Tak/Tac/Tack rag is a sticky rag used in both the car painting industry and the asbestos removal world. Picks up all dust/fluff etc without releasing it afterwards. Not to be used on glass though.

That sounds very useful. Available to buy on line - and inexpensive. Yet another tool to add to the arsenal

Top tip: fine scratches on your mirror can be repaired using Halfords Ford Focus Silver spraypaint.

Nice even coat.


(This thread needs to come with a massive warning lest some newbie take it all as great advice. )