NavList:
A Community Devoted to the Preservation and Practice of Celestial Navigation and Other Methods of Traditional Wayfinding
From: Craig D
Date: 2025 Mar 24, 02:16 -0700
I was cleaning a old sextant and two products that really produced fantastic results is as follows.
For cleaning telescope lens, mirror and shades I have found that cell phone/laptop and touch screen cleaner to do a fantastic job. I have tried numerou other cleaners and its done the best so far giving lens and mirrors a really shiny new look like I have never achieved before. Touch screen cleaning products do a fantastic job. Its mixture of alcohol, ammonia and sodium lauryl. The only caution they give is to not spray the product onto the lens or screen directly. Apply to a clotth then clean.
The next product that restored the bronze gear rack was a product called Deoxit Gold by Caig products. I have used this stuff for years on electronic equipment and electrical connections. It wont harm plastic. Its great for corroded battery terminals. I applied it to the gear rack and micrometer drum and it really loosed old greas and corrosion. The rack has new glisten to it like it has a slight polish since Dexoit fights surface corrosion as well. It made the green bronze corrosion dissapear. caig dot com for product details. Nothing would stop you from using whatever oil you find suitable over the top while deoxit fights corrosion.
I also found Wahl hair clipper oil to be a nice easily accesible light oil that does not gum up and does not stink and use it for general lubrication. I cant comment on what base oil it is.
Craig D
