Cleaning a UV Filter

Would lens cleaner work for a UV filter or is that not a safe idea? I heard that dish soap works, how exactly do you apply it? Thanks.

Lens cleaner, lens pen...either would work fine. But use a blower first to remove any loose debris that may be on the filter. After blowing, you could also use the little packets of pre-moistened eyeglass cleaner that you can pick up at any Walmart or office supply store. Cleaning under the faucet with a mild soap such as dish detergent will also work, but you need to make sure that you dry the filter completely (using a soft cotton or microfiber cloth) or minerals in the water could leave deposits on the filter. Just a warning: If you go this route, do not use this method on a polarizing filter, lest you get water in between the glass elements.

TBH, cleaning filters is not much of a big deal. After using a rocket blower, 99.9% of the time I simply clean the filter with a little warm breath and a microfiber cloth.

Ok thanks.

I use the lens pen on my uv filters all the time. As stated above I use the rocket blower first follow by the lens pen.

The best method I've found for cleaning filters is to put a single drop of lens fluid dead center then use a crumpled up lens tissue in circular motion until the lens fluid has evaporated.

I have gotten very tired of cleaning filters with tissue and liquid. I broke down and order a Lenspen. I hope I didn't make a big mistake.

It depends on what filter you're using, I mean the brand name. If it's Hoya, man, it'll drive your crazy, doesn't matter what you use, you just can't get it clean enough.

I cleaned my UV filter by selling it. No more dirty UV filters!

If I'm not in the field I just clean them under the tap

ddong wrote in post #8836777
It depends on what filter you're using, I mean the brand name. If it's Hoya, man, it'll drive your crazy, doesn't matter what you use, you just can't get it clean enough.

That is due the the effectiveness of the multicoating. A good thing!

Just wipe with my T-shirt.

DANATTHEROCK wrote in post #8837317
That is due the the effectiveness of the multicoating. A good thing!

Nope - B+W has equally as good multicoating and is easier to clean. For that matter, Hoya's new line is, even by Hoya's own admission, easier to clean than their older ones were.

Good to hear. Tell me why? What would make it easier to clean?

Just found this on the Hoya site...

CLEANING YOUR FILTERS:
Due to their high precision, filters should always be handled with care and kept clean whenever possible. Filters should be cleaned gently with just a lens tissue or soft cotton cloth, such as Hoya's Hi-Tech Microfibre cleaning cloth.

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Never use any chemicals, such as lens cleaning fluid, on your filters, as these can damage the coatings. If any stubborn stains occur, these can usually be washed off with some clean water and a soft cotton cloth.

The compound they use to do the coating. I don't have the details about what any of the big three use, so I can't tell you what Hoya changed, but by all accounts the newest filters they have are easier to clean than any of their older coated (single or multi-coated) ones.