On Oct 25, 2021, at 10:55 AM, Christine Zeltner <czeltner356@...> wrote:

?

I am with Frederic.? I would clean and use first.

One of the best pieces of advice I got early in my astronomy

life was "If you do not like what you see when you look look at the mirror?with a flashlight don't do that."

Chris

Chris

On Mon, Oct 25, 2021 at 3:15 AM 贵谤é诲é谤颈肠 Ruciak <frederic.ruciak@...> wrote:

Hi Jesse,
When you say I know it is not dust, does it mean that you already cleaned properly the mirror?
If not my first move would be to clean the mirror properly, as described in a lot of videos (Dave Kriege's one) with appropriate water of course.
My own experience was the I had some strange spots after my mirror got dewed one night and dried after.
A good cleaning removed everything.
By the way, looking from the front of the mirror with a light on the back will show you tiny spots of light where the coating is not there but it doesn't mean you have to change it immediately, sometimes the surface of these tiny spots is less than a fraction of a percent.
Hope this helps,
贵谤é诲é谤颈肠

On Oct 24, 2021, at 9:19 PM, Jesse Godsey <jessegodsey@...> wrote:

Point of clarification. ?So do you shine a light from the front and look at the back or shine a light from the back and look at the front ?

On Oct 24, 2021, at 8:19 PM, Christine Zeltner <czeltner356@...> wrote:

?

If you look at from the back and do not see light coming through the coating

that is a good sign that the coatings are in good condition.

Dave Kreige has a YouTube video on cleaning mirrors.? I would

watch it.? I also like the Optical Wave Laboratory (OWL) mirror cleaning?

method.

Chris

On Sun, Oct 24, 2021 at 7:10 PM Mark Bungart <mbungart@...> wrote:

The Swayze mirror in mine was from 2002. The original coating was done by Spectrum Coatings. Ive had it recoated once since then, in 2016. Looking at the pics of your mirror I would recommend you do that. Your options are Majestic Coatings, Clausing, Spectrum, Galaxy Optics,…I think Optic Wave Labs ( OWL) still does them and Ostahhoski. I know Im missing a few coaters.

Clausing is probably close enough to you to drive it yourself.?.

Mine was recoated by OMI who are no longer in business.

On Oct 24, 2021, at 7:24 PM, Jesse Godsey <jessegodsey@...> wrote:

It was made in 2005 and has never been recoated.? Very light wash no it did not come off.

On Oct 24, 2021, at 7:17 PM, Roger Studer <AstroLED@...> wrote:

?

How old is the coating on the mirror? It looks pretty much like mine except mine is worse. That being said my 15" is number 118, built in 1994. If it doesn't wash off I'd guess the coating is breaking down.

Roger

On Sunday, October 24, 2021, 05:48:29 PM EDT, Jesse Godsey <jessegodsey@...> wrote:

No.? Michigan and the guy I got it from said he always stored it inside when not in use.

On Oct 24, 2021, at 5:17 PM, Frank Nowatzke <fnowat@...> wrote:

?

Was it stored near the coast? Humid salty air.?

Just guessing.?

Regards,?

Frank Nowatzke?

-------- Original message --------

From: Jesse Godsey <jessegodsey@...>

Date: 10/24/21 15:44 (GMT-06:00)

To: [email protected]

Subject: [ObsessionUsers] Mirror recommendation and feedback please

Please find attached some pics of my primary out of my 15" F/4.5 Obsession.? Please let me know your thoughts.? I know it is not dust.

Thanks guys..

--
Mark Bungart
15" Obsession #643 / Swayze mirror
Grove City, Ohio

On Oct 24, 2021, at 8:19 PM, Christine Zeltner <czeltner356@...> wrote:

?

If you look at from the back and do not see light coming through the coating

that is a good sign that the coatings are in good condition.

Dave Kreige has a YouTube video on cleaning mirrors.? I would

watch it.? I also like the Optical Wave Laboratory (OWL) mirror cleaning?

method.

Chris

On Sun, Oct 24, 2021 at 7:10 PM Mark Bungart <mbungart@...> wrote:

The Swayze mirror in mine was from 2002. The original coating was done by Spectrum Coatings. Ive had it recoated once since then, in 2016. Looking at the pics of your mirror I would recommend you do that. Your options are Majestic Coatings, Clausing, Spectrum, Galaxy Optics,…I think Optic Wave Labs ( OWL) still does them and Ostahhoski. I know Im missing a few coaters.

Clausing is probably close enough to you to drive it yourself.?.

Mine was recoated by OMI who are no longer in business.

On Oct 24, 2021, at 7:24 PM, Jesse Godsey <jessegodsey@...> wrote:

It was made in 2005 and has never been recoated.? Very light wash no it did not come off.

On Oct 24, 2021, at 7:17 PM, Roger Studer <AstroLED@...> wrote:

?

How old is the coating on the mirror? It looks pretty much like mine except mine is worse. That being said my 15" is number 118, built in 1994. If it doesn't wash off I'd guess the coating is breaking down.

Roger

On Sunday, October 24, 2021, 05:48:29 PM EDT, Jesse Godsey <jessegodsey@...> wrote:

No.? Michigan and the guy I got it from said he always stored it inside when not in use.

On Oct 24, 2021, at 5:17 PM, Frank Nowatzke <fnowat@...> wrote:

?

Was it stored near the coast? Humid salty air.?

Just guessing.?

Regards,?

Frank Nowatzke?

-------- Original message --------

From: Jesse Godsey <jessegodsey@...>

Date: 10/24/21 15:44 (GMT-06:00)

To: [email protected]

Subject: [ObsessionUsers] Mirror recommendation and feedback please

Please find attached some pics of my primary out of my 15" F/4.5 Obsession.? Please let me know your thoughts.? I know it is not dust.

Thanks guys..

--
Mark Bungart
15" Obsession #643 / Swayze mirror
Grove City, Ohio

?

Was it stored near the coast? Humid salty air.?

Just guessing.?

Regards,?

Frank Nowatzke?

-------- Original message --------

From: Jesse Godsey <jessegodsey@...>

Date: 10/24/21 15:44 (GMT-06:00)

To: [email protected]

Subject: [ObsessionUsers] Mirror recommendation and feedback please

Please find attached some pics of my primary out of my 15" F/4.5 Obsession.? Please let me know your thoughts.? I know it is not dust.

Thanks guys..

On Oct 24, 2021, at 7:24 PM, Jesse Godsey <jessegodsey@...> wrote:

It was made in 2005 and has never been recoated. ?Very light wash no it did not come off.

On Oct 24, 2021, at 7:17 PM, Roger Studer <AstroLED@...> wrote:

?

How old is the coating on the mirror? It looks pretty much like mine except mine is worse. That being said my 15" is number 118, built in 1994. If it doesn't wash off I'd guess the coating is breaking down.

Roger

On Sunday, October 24, 2021, 05:48:29 PM EDT, Jesse Godsey <jessegodsey@...> wrote:

No. ?Michigan and the guy I got it from said he always stored it inside when not in use.

On Oct 24, 2021, at 5:17 PM, Frank Nowatzke <fnowat@...> wrote:

?

Was it stored near the coast? Humid salty air.?

Just guessing.?

Regards,?

Frank Nowatzke?

-------- Original message --------

From: Jesse Godsey <jessegodsey@...>

Date: 10/24/21 15:44 (GMT-06:00)

To: [email protected]

Subject: [ObsessionUsers] Mirror recommendation and feedback please

Please find attached some pics of my primary out of my 15" F/4.5 Obsession.? Please let me know your thoughts.? I know it is not dust.

Thanks guys..

?

Was it stored near the coast? Humid salty air.?

Just guessing.?

Regards,?

Frank Nowatzke?

-------- Original message --------

From: Jesse Godsey <jessegodsey@...>

Date: 10/24/21 15:44 (GMT-06:00)

To: [email protected]

Subject: [ObsessionUsers] Mirror recommendation and feedback please

Please find attached some pics of my primary out of my 15" F/4.5 Obsession.? Please let me know your thoughts.? I know it is not dust.

Thanks guys..

On Oct 24, 2021, at 7:17 PM, Roger Studer <AstroLED@...> wrote:

?

How old is the coating on the mirror? It looks pretty much like mine except mine is worse. That being said my 15" is number 118, built in 1994. If it doesn't wash off I'd guess the coating is breaking down.

Roger

On Sunday, October 24, 2021, 05:48:29 PM EDT, Jesse Godsey <jessegodsey@...> wrote:

No. ?Michigan and the guy I got it from said he always stored it inside when not in use.

On Oct 24, 2021, at 5:17 PM, Frank Nowatzke <fnowat@...> wrote:

?

Was it stored near the coast? Humid salty air.?

Just guessing.?

Regards,?

Frank Nowatzke?

-------- Original message --------

From: Jesse Godsey <jessegodsey@...>

Date: 10/24/21 15:44 (GMT-06:00)

To: [email protected]

Subject: [ObsessionUsers] Mirror recommendation and feedback please

Please find attached some pics of my primary out of my 15" F/4.5 Obsession.? Please let me know your thoughts.? I know it is not dust.

Thanks guys..

On Oct 24, 2021, at 5:53 PM, Mark Bungart <mbungart@...> wrote:

?Well, you can always shine a light from the backside of the mirror and see where the light passes through…any areas without a coating will be obvious. Do it in a darken room of course.

On Oct 24, 2021, at 5:49 PM, Jesse Godsey <jessegodsey@...> wrote:

Right but how and when can you tell whether it’s coatings or something else ?

On Oct 24, 2021, at 5:16 PM, Mark Bungart <mbungart@...> wrote:

?I agree, difficult to see if they are spots, tree sap, or what on the mirror. I clean mine once a year following Dave’s instructions, using 2 gallons of distilled water. Add one drop of plain old Dawn detergent into one jug , shake and pour on mirror. Never ever rub anything on the mirror. If you need to, get some clean cotton balls and bunch them up wet and while the mirror is wet and soapy, drag the cotton across the mirror, never circular and apply no pressure. Rinse with distilled water. You can lay a cotton towel on the mirror to soak up any water but then just let it air dry.

If the spots are where the coating has flaked off, you need to recoat.

Mark

Obsession 15, Swazye mirror

On Oct 24, 2021, at 5:03 PM, Christine Zeltner <czeltner356@...> wrote:

It is hard to tell from the pictures if it is water spots from dew or

or general haze.? If a general haze it from the mirror coatingj

slowly degrading.? They do that and you just clean your

mirror?once a year.? I think the same thing works for water

spots but not sure.

Do no rub on the mirror.

Chris

On Sun, Oct 24, 2021 at 3:44 PM Jesse Godsey <jessegodsey@...> wrote:

So, quick question.? I have the exact same look on my primary mirror.? Did you wash it a few times and always dry it with a micro-fiber cloth ?? Just wondering the best way to get it off and not scratch or damage the mirror.

Thank you.

--
Mark Bungart
15" Obsession #643 / Swayze mirror
Grove City, Ohio

--
Mark Bungart
15" Obsession #643 / Swayze mirror
Grove City, Ohio

On Oct 24, 2021, at 5:49 PM, Jesse Godsey <jessegodsey@...> wrote:

Right but how and when can you tell whether it’s coatings or something else ?

On Oct 24, 2021, at 5:16 PM, Mark Bungart <mbungart@...> wrote:

?I agree, difficult to see if they are spots, tree sap, or what on the mirror. I clean mine once a year following Dave’s instructions, using 2 gallons of distilled water. Add one drop of plain old Dawn detergent into one jug , shake and pour on mirror. Never ever rub anything on the mirror. If you need to, get some clean cotton balls and bunch them up wet and while the mirror is wet and soapy, drag the cotton across the mirror, never circular and apply no pressure. Rinse with distilled water. You can lay a cotton towel on the mirror to soak up any water but then just let it air dry.

If the spots are where the coating has flaked off, you need to recoat.

Mark

Obsession 15, Swazye mirror

On Oct 24, 2021, at 5:03 PM, Christine Zeltner <czeltner356@...> wrote:

It is hard to tell from the pictures if it is water spots from dew or

or general haze.? If a general haze it from the mirror coatingj

slowly degrading.? They do that and you just clean your

mirror?once a year.? I think the same thing works for water

spots but not sure.

Do no rub on the mirror.

Chris

On Sun, Oct 24, 2021 at 3:44 PM Jesse Godsey <jessegodsey@...> wrote:

So, quick question.? I have the exact same look on my primary mirror.? Did you wash it a few times and always dry it with a micro-fiber cloth ?? Just wondering the best way to get it off and not scratch or damage the mirror.

Thank you.

--
Mark Bungart
15" Obsession #643 / Swayze mirror
Grove City, Ohio

On Oct 24, 2021, at 5:16 PM, Mark Bungart <mbungart@...> wrote:

?I agree, difficult to see if they are spots, tree sap, or what on the mirror. I clean mine once a year following Dave’s instructions, using 2 gallons of distilled water. Add one drop of plain old Dawn detergent into one jug , shake and pour on mirror. Never ever rub anything on the mirror. If you need to, get some clean cotton balls and bunch them up wet and while the mirror is wet and soapy, drag the cotton across the mirror, never circular and apply no pressure. Rinse with distilled water. You can lay a cotton towel on the mirror to soak up any water but then just let it air dry.

If the spots are where the coating has flaked off, you need to recoat.

Mark

Obsession 15, Swazye mirror

On Oct 24, 2021, at 5:03 PM, Christine Zeltner <czeltner356@...> wrote:

It is hard to tell from the pictures if it is water spots from dew or

or general haze.? If a general haze it from the mirror coatingj

slowly degrading.? They do that and you just clean your

mirror?once a year.? I think the same thing works for water

spots but not sure.

Do no rub on the mirror.

Chris

On Sun, Oct 24, 2021 at 3:44 PM Jesse Godsey <jessegodsey@...> wrote:

So, quick question.? I have the exact same look on my primary mirror.? Did you wash it a few times and always dry it with a micro-fiber cloth ?? Just wondering the best way to get it off and not scratch or damage the mirror.

Thank you.

--
Mark Bungart
15" Obsession #643 / Swayze mirror
Grove City, Ohio

On Oct 24, 2021, at 5:17 PM, Frank Nowatzke <fnowat@...> wrote:

?

Was it stored near the coast? Humid salty air.?

Just guessing.?

Regards,?

Frank Nowatzke?

-------- Original message --------

From: Jesse Godsey <jessegodsey@...>

Date: 10/24/21 15:44 (GMT-06:00)

To: [email protected]

Subject: [ObsessionUsers] Mirror recommendation and feedback please

Please find attached some pics of my primary out of my 15" F/4.5 Obsession.? Please let me know your thoughts.? I know it is not dust.

Thanks guys..