Has anyone removed lens coating?

[kknox]

How do you remove lens coating on an old 50's Leitz lens. The front element is marked up fairly bad. I know I might have more flare, but is there any other issues to worry about. Would a UV filter help if I take the coating off. What should I use, or just leave it alone? Thanks

 

[Sonnar Brian]

If it is almost opaque, removing the coating will help. I used 3M polishing sheets made for fiber optic connectors. Cerium Oxide kits are available on Ebay. I have read of people using Tooth Paste.

Also- FocalPoint did an incredible job of polishing and recoating my early collaspsible Summicron. Worth getting a quote, Summicrons are up in value.

 

[jet1944]

I jewellers powder followed by brasso

 

[Tom A]

Opticians use a "rouge" - a fine powder that will do it. Ask your local eye-glass maker for some. I use a moleskin with a drop of oil on it - add some of this compound and start polishing. Takes a while - and yes it will remove the coating, but scratches that have penetrated the coating remains. If you start polishing out scratches - chances are that you will change the "curvature" of the lens and will need to re-collimate it.
You will get more flare and contrast drops considerably. Depending which lens it is - the result can work (old Summar's for some reason take to it quite well). The tooth paste trick works too - but it is not as effective as the "jewelers rouge".
I once spent a week polishing the front element of a 240 Apo Symmar 4x5 macro lens. Used to watch movies on TV while doing it. It did work - but any stray light would flare violently - I did cut a youghurt container, sprayed the inside black and adapted it to the lens as an extreme lens-hood. Cut back on the flare and did not affect sharpness in any significant way.
If it is a rare lens - or expensive one - have it done professionally - otherwise do it yourself and enjoy the unpredictability of the effort.

 

[jet1944]

I could not remember the name ,I got it off ebay