CARE AND CLEANING OF OPTICAST MIRRORS

All Opticast mirrors now come with a protective silicone monoxide overcoat. Use the following cleaning proceedures to keep the mirror in good condition.

• Use a stream of dry air to blow dust off the mirror. Use only the enclosed blue cloth to wipe the mirror.
• If the mirror develops heavy layers of grease or dust, wash the mirror in a solution of water and dish detergent, then thoroughly rinse with distilled water. Drain as much water as possible off the mirror, then blot any remaining water off and wipe with the blue microfiber cloth.
• If any film or deposit is left on the mirror, repeat the wash. The mirror will not be affected by immersion. Be sure to use room temperature water to avoid thermal shocks.
• Do not use ammonia based cleaners, as they may damage the aluminum coating.
• When storing a telescope, we recommend placing a bag of desiccant in the telescope, then sealing the ends of the telescope tube with plastic bags fastened with rubber bands.

Opticast mirrors are not recommended for extreme temperature service. Below zero degrees Fahrenheit the image quality may temporarily degrade due to the unequal thermal expansion coefficients of the substrate and the surface layers. Continuous service at temperatures above one hundred ten degrees Fahrenheit may cause permanent distortion of the figure by half a wave.

Continuous service at humidities above 70% may cause temporary "orange peel" surface irregularities which can be reversed by storing the mirror in a dessicated container.

Opticast Home Page	Opticast Mirror Specifications
Opticast Astronomical Mirrors	Pricing, Delivery and Warranty
Opticast Related and Interesting Links	About Opticast, Inc.
Frequently Asked Questions