De-oiling an objective lense - (Dec/04/2007 )
by accident, a normal objective lense was used like an oil immersion objective lense which means adding a drop of oil; although most of oil was absorbed by lense paper some oil may run into the objective lense; what can be done?
by accident, a normal objective lense was used like an oil immersion objective lense which means adding a drop of oil; although most of oil was absorbed by lense paper some oil may run into the objective lense; what can be done?There are many suggestions on the internet if you plug "clean microscope objectives" into yahoo and I copied some info from one site below:
If your objective lenses are dirty, you can remove build-up with lens paper dipped in a very weak ammonia solution. Place one eye dropper full of household ammonia in 1/2 cup of water.
If you have any sticky substances on your objectives such as balsam, oily materials or paraffin, this should be removed with xylol.
We use a fluid lens cleaning solution along with the lens paper each time the oil immersion objective is used. I just know that you need to clean the objective before the oil dries or you may have permanent damage. Many microscopy companies offer maintenance of the machine and lens. You may need to get it professionally cleaned. Check with the manufacturer of the microscope to see what services they can offer.
by accident, a normal objective lense was used like an oil immersion objective lense which means adding a drop of oil; although most of oil was absorbed by lense paper some oil may run into the objective lense; what can be done?Dear "The Bearer"
This is a common problem in our Institute, where end-users use non oil immersion lenses for their Confocal Imaging. We have been advised by Leica and Zeiss to use their Lense cleaning solutions. However we use 50% Isopropanol to clean our objectives, much cheaper and as effective. REMEMBER TO USE THE PROPER LENSE CLEANING SOFT TISSUES.
Kindest regards
Rhombus
thanks for kind advices; so it will be possible to totally de-oil himself an objective even if some oil has run into the objective?
I thought of putting the objective in an exsiccator under vacuum as I hesitate to use any organic solvents... 
Dear Bearer
I would use the 50% Isopropanol, as Xylol eats away at the O-rings inside the objective. It is Ok to use xylol a few times, but I would keep it as a last resort
I would use the 50% Isopropanol, as Xylol eats away at the O-rings inside the objective. It is Ok to use xylol a few times, but I would keep it as a last resort
okay, this does make sense, but why only 50% isopropanol? 100% solves oil better, and won´t left traces of water in the objective lense
Just use a normal lens cleaning solution-- most of them have 50% isopropanol
Worked for me:
http://www.zeiss.com/C12567BE0045ACF1/Cont...12570150042A4A2
xylene is best
My students routinely get oil on the 40X *sigh* I use 70% ethanol to get it off with and lens tissue.