Is it OK to use lens cleaning liquid for sensor cleaning?

[raid]

I have received a small bottle of sensor cleaner fluid. Better be safe than be sorry.

 

[Bill Clark]

I have used a Q tip with a LITTLE (very small amount) Windex on it.

Haven’t had to use it for a long time tho.

Hardly ever change lens but when I do the camera is off.

Have a great 2021.

 

[raid]

Happy 2021, Bill.

 

[Bill Clark]

Thanks Raid.

 

[muser53]

Most hardware stores in the US sell 95% denatured alcohol. It is not that hard to find. Whether it is the right fluid to clean your sensors...I'll leave that up to those who know better than I.
BTW I just googled denatured alcohol and this came up. If a few of you banded together you'd be able to buy a lifetime supply of the stuff for a reasonable fee.
https://shopbvv.com/products/bvv-la...JO4ewgohusSKLqSdzqodANu137xwmPIRoC8icQAvD_BwE

 

[willie_901]

In the past I’ve watched Canon and Nikon tech reps clean sensors, they both used 99% denatured alcohol. 99% would have very little water in it.

Denatured alcohol is highly hydroscopic. An ethanol–water mixture is an 95% alcohol/5% water azeotrope and maintaining 99% alcohol content requires diligence. One solution is to add molecular sieves to the storage bottle. Molecular sieves are inert, insoluble, inorganic solids that selectively absorb water. Molecular sieves are available to consumers.

I doubt the water in a 95:5% ethanol:water solution would harm any consumer camera sensor except an original, first generation M9 sensor assembly.

Ethanol will not remove hydrophobic (oil or grease) sensor contaminants. Usually ethanol turns an oil/grease spot into a smear and the smear just spreads out with repeated cleaning attempts.

There are sensor cleaning products specifically designed for hydrophobic debris. I use ROR Residual Oil Remover sparingly for sensors. ROR is also effective at removing hydrophobic contamination from lens surfaces.

Isopropyl alcohol also forms an alcohol:water azeotrope - 91:9 %. Molecular sieves are used to remove water from isopropyl alcohol. Many commonly available isopropyl alcohol products also contain a small amount of lanolin or other hydrophobic lotions to minimize skin drying. These hydrophobic substances also cause smearing on lenses and sensors. The product label should indicate if a product contains lotion.

 

[Derek Leath]

I only use an air bulb.