Cloudy lens. how to remove haze.

[Fiatgusto]

Hi All:
I have been learning best I can about our Electro's by disassembling a non working GT that was almost free to me.
Using the instructions on this site, I have the "top" glass lens off and it is very hazy and cloudy.
I tried white vinegar, but did not help. Tried soap and water. Did not remove.
As I stated above, it is a non working camera, but I would like to know what this covering is, and can it be removed in case I find it in a working camera which I want to use.
Thank you,
Dennis

 

[Frontman]

Try some damp cotton swabs with a bit of toothpaste. Don't rub too hard,

 

[Fiatgusto]

Thank you.

 

[D.O'K.]

I've had good results using ordinary household fungicide diluted about 1:4 with water and applied gently with a cotton bud; thereafter rinsed with water, then finished off with lens cleaning fluid.

Regards,
D.

 

[Fiatgusto]

Not sure what a household fungicide is?

 

[tarullifoto]

I recommend at least 2 ounces of household ethanol, straight, taken internally, before starting any project involving the inside of a lens barrel.

 

[yoyo22]

I used hydrogen peroxide to remove the haze from the lenses of an old Summicron. I just left the glass in there overnight and the next morning it was clean.

 

[D.O'K.]

Household fungicide: a liquid sold in plastic bottles and commonly available from hardware stores, supermarkets etc. It's produced by various manufacturers but usually has the word "fungicide" on the label. I think its main use is in cleaning dark and damp places such as the corners of showers etc.

Regards,
D.

 

[Ranchu]

Under no circumstances use toothpaste, ever. For oil haze (little clear balls) use naptha, for the milky haze, use 90% isopropyl alcohol. Or just use both, naptha first.

 

[Fiatgusto]

Thanks to all. I now have several options; none of which I knew of yesterday.
Dennis

 

[farlymac]

Athletes foot cream is also good for getting rid of fungus in the lens. Applied evenly and left on overnight it does wonders. The old heads in the repair shops also used nose oil. I've tried it, and it works because it is a natural antibiotic that your body excretes. Otherwise, the bacteria and such would take over.

PF

 

[Fiatgusto]

Well, I tried all except nose oil, lens is too far gone for cleaning up I guess.
As I said, camera is not working at all, just wanted to learn how to clean the lens.
Thank you all for the advice.
Dennis

 

[farlymac]

I got a camera once where someone had applied something to the front element. I tried every sort of remover, short of an acid bath, but to no avail. It really bummed me out.

PF

 

[Fiatgusto]

Now that you said that, I think that is what has happened. The surace is rough, not smooth where the "cloudiness" is located.
Whoever did it should have checked with all of you first.
Thanks to all again.
Dennis

 

[clayne]

Under no circumstances use toothpaste, ever. For oil haze (little clear balls) use naptha, for the milky haze, use 90% isopropyl alcohol. Or just use both, naptha first.

^^^ Listen to this guy.

 

[KenR]

Dilute bleach (1:10)?

 

[Frontman]

Under no circumstances use toothpaste, ever. For oil haze (little clear balls) use naptha, for the milky haze, use 90% isopropyl alcohol. Or just use both, naptha first.

Actually, I have used tootpaste many times to remove minor fungus and haze, it was recommended to me by a Mr Yamamoto, who is a camera retoration specialist here in Japan. He worked at a Nikon factory for 30 years.

Tootpaste is about as abrasive as the compounds used to polish glass, and is generally safe to use on external lens glass as the coating is usually strong enough to resist light polishing. Cleaning the inside elements requires more care, as the coatings are much thinner, especially older Leica glass. Care must always be used when cleaning lenses, no matter what chemicals you use. If you naptha or alcohol with a paper napkin or garden-variety cloth or rag, you can do much more harm to a lens than using toothpaste.

To the OP, I have many Yashica spares, inluding lens elements if you need them.

 

[Fiatgusto]

Thank you, I will contact you.
Dennis