How to Clean an Anti-Reflective Coated Substrate - (2024)

How to Clean an Anti-Reflective Coated Substrate - (1)

Posted: June 18, 2013
By: Kelley Plats, Business Development Manager

One of the most commonly asked questions we get here at North American Coating Laboratories is “how do we clean an anti-reflective coated part once we receive it?” This question is especially important in the high-end precision optics realm, as small particulate on top of a coated surface can disrupt numerous optical systems that operate behind the coated substrate.

The reason anti-reflective coatings are difficult to clean is due to their “peak and valley” microstructure that is a catalyst for destructive interference of light. In general terms an anti-reflective coating is a series of dielectric layers with varying refractive indices that when viewed under a microscope form a structure very similar to a mountain range with peaks and valleys. In some cases airborne dirt and lint, and or residue from packaging get trapped in these valleys and are not easy to remove.

Because anti-reflective coatings are not chemically resistive certain cleansers could attack the film structure and begin to stress the film over time. This is why we recommend the following process for cleaning an anti-reflective coated lens.

  1. In a small clean glass or plastic container mix 1 part isopropyl alcohol to 3 parts clean distilled water.
  2. Use this solution to wet the entire coated surface.
  3. With a soft cotton or microfiber cloth wipe the coated surface dry. Applying pressure while you wipe to any specific area with high amounts of particulate is fine./li>
  4. After the substrate is dried, examine the coated optic with standard ambient lighting against a black background. This will be a true indicator of how clean the coating is after the cleaning process.

Due to the amount of inquiries we receive from our customers and other members of the optics community concerning cleaning coated optics North American Coating Laboratories has developed our own thin-film cleaner that we can provide in either a 6 ounce or 3.5 ounce spray bottles. If you don’t want to go through the trouble of creating your own cleaning mixture we would be more than happy to provide our formula to assist your inspection staff in the cleaning process. Connect with us today for more information.

How to Clean an Anti-Reflective Coated Substrate - (2024)

FAQs

How to Clean an Anti-Reflective Coated Substrate -? ›

Create a Cleaning Solution: Mix a few drops of mild soap with lukewarm water in a bowl. This gentle solution will effectively clean the lenses without compromising the AR coating. Wipe the Lenses and Frames: Dip the microfiber cloth into the cleaning solution and gently wipe both sides of the lenses.

How do you clean anti-reflective coating? ›

Create a Cleaning Solution: Mix a few drops of mild soap with lukewarm water in a bowl. This gentle solution will effectively clean the lenses without compromising the AR coating. Wipe the Lenses and Frames: Dip the microfiber cloth into the cleaning solution and gently wipe both sides of the lenses.

How do you remove damaged anti-reflective coating? ›

Mix 5 parts of isopropyl alcohol with one part of saltwater. Place your glasses onto a plate and pour out the prepared solution just enough so the lenses are entirely submerged. Let it sit in the solution for an hour to soften the anti-reflective coating. Scrape off the anti-reflective coating using a plastic scraper.

How do you clean coated optics? ›

The preferred method is to use Compressed Air or an Air Blower to remove dust. If additional cleaning is required, then using a Cotton-Tipped Swab or Lens Tissue saturated with Reagent-Grade Isopropyl Alcohol, Reagent-Grade Acetone, or Lens Cleaning Solution will work too.

Is Dawn dish soap safe for anti-reflective coating? ›

Yes, it is generally safe to use Dawn dish soap to clean glasses with an anti-reflective coating. However, it is important to follow the proper cleaning method to avoid damaging the coating.

Can heat damage anti-reflective coating? ›

The Impact of Heat on Eyeglasses

Anti-reflective coatings and other lens treatments could get damaged, reducing their effectiveness. Plastic lenses could get cracked or warped, affecting your vision. Glue holding the frame parts together could melt, leading to loose or broken glasses.

Can you clean coated glasses with alcohol? ›

Don't use any cleaning products other than dishwashing liquid or glasses cleaning solution to clean your glasses. Products such as acetone, alcohol, and household glass cleaners can damage lens coatings. Don't use your own saliva, either. That won't clean your lenses, it'll just add more germs!

How do you clean glasses without damaging coating? ›

Avoid hot water, which can damage the lens coating. Apply a small drop of liquid soap to each lens. Rub both sides of the lenses and the frame for a few seconds, including the nose pads and the ends behind your ears. A soft toothbrush can help clean nose pads and hinges.

How to clean optical polycarbonate? ›

Proper Cleaners to Polycarbonate

In order to do this, you can either blow the debris off the polycarbonate or use water and a soft cloth to float the debris off. After you have removed the debris from your polycarbonate you should clean it with a recommended cleaner such as Novus #1.

Can anti-reflective coating be damaged? ›

In addition to not cleaning your lenses properly, anti-reflective coating glasses can also be injured by extreme temperatures, such as being near ice or fire. Store your lenses in their protective case when they're not being used.

Can anti-reflective coating be reapplied? ›

Fortunately, the answer is yes, but with some fine-print conditions. Discover what you need to know to add an anti-glare coating to previously purchased eyewear. By upgrading your current glasses, you can experience less glare, better vision, and reduced eye fatigue.

Is Zeiss lens cleaner safe for anti-reflective coating? ›

Yes, they are particularly effective in cleaning anti-reflective coated spectacle lenses.

How long does anti-reflective coating last? ›

Instead, it emits more light into your eye, helping improve vision. On average, anti-reflective lenses can last up to 2 years, if correctly cared for.

Does anti-reflective coating on glasses wear off? ›

How long can I expect my anti-reflective coating to last? There's no hard and fast rule here as it greatly varies depending on the user and how the glasses are treated. However, most eye experts will tell you that an anti-reflective coating should last between one and two years on average.

Does anti-glare coating make glasses dirty? ›

On the other hand, anti-reflective coating glasses do have a few negatives. They're can look dirty due to the clearness of the lenses. Although anti-reflective coatings are really not any dirtier than a regular pair of glasses, they're more noticeable because there isn't any glare to hide the dirt.

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