Hand sanitizers and optics (1 Viewer)

J

jtc

Well-known member

• Oct 20, 2020

• #1

Does anyone have any thoughts on how all the different sanitizers we are using effect the armor and coatings of our bins and scopes. I know that insect repellents with deet can harm optics but not sure about all the stuff we are using now.

 

fazalmajid

Well-known member

Supporter

• Oct 20, 2020

• #2

It’s isopropyl alcohol, the stuff lens cleaning wipes are made of, or sometimes ethanol, so most likely harmless, though the added moisturizers like aloe Vera would probably cause smearing.

 

Last edited: Oct 20, 2020

John A Roberts

Well-known member

• Oct 21, 2020

• #3

Besides the possible effects of hand sanitisers and insect repellents, another group of substances a user may need to consider is sunscreens

An introductory article on Wikipedia lists around 30 different chemical possibilities at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunscreen

And of course there may be the complication of the interaction of the three different types of substances


John

 

Ratal

Well-known member

• Oct 21, 2020

• #4

Just let your hands air dry before you use your optics? Just a thought. Takes thirty seconds or so.

Problem solved with the simplest solution.

 

JoeRawles

Feathers Wild Bird Care

• Oct 23, 2020

• #5

Swarovski confirmed their rubber armouring wasn't affected by hand sanitiser, so long as the alcohol percentage is under 80% (if I recall correctly). On a recent 'demo day' here, they cleaned the binoculars after each use with 70% alcohol spray.

 

PeterPS

Well-Known Member

• Oct 24, 2020

• #6

Hand sanitizers combine the alcohol with a stabilizer that prevents it from evaporating too fast, and often with citric acid that helps it work more quickly; they also contain
skin moisturizers in them to keep the skin from becoming too dry (hence the “sticky” feeling after using most of them). To be on the safe side I refrain from using hand sanitizers when I handle binos.