|
A repost from Obsession FB group.
Sorry this will be kinda long.
Some good news I want to share. Anyone that knows me personally knows that I haven't observed regularly with my 25" or 30" in a number of years - 5 to be exact. I'll blame 'life' for this little absence. Yes, I've gotten out to observe fairly often, particularly in Ft Davis with a 48 and atop Mauna Kea with a 22, so I'm really not complaining. My scopes were in storage during this time, protected sufficiently - or so I thought. When I brought the scopes home and wanted to get them prepared for regular observing, I discovered that the primaries were covered in a 'caked on' layer of gray dust. They didn't look good at all.
Fearing the worst, a bath was in order. I pulled out the 25's mirror yesterday and proceeded to wash the mirror just as Dave does. After the initial rinse, i proceeded to use soapy water and cotton hoping to remove the film. The cotton actually turned gray - that's how bad the scum was. After numerous washings with soapy wads of cotton, the film did not come off. After far too many vulgarities, I resigned myself that it's time for a recoat and I should just dry it and move on. Well, lo and behold, as soon as I began drying the mirror, the disgusting film started to come off! What a surprise!
Now, I'll be honest. The mirror doesn't look like it just came back from the coater. But it looks great and it's definitely usable and I've bought myself atleast a few years of use! I'll need a recoat for sure but it won't be now. And that's all that matters! I'll do the 30 tonight after work and report back. I'm sure I'll have the same results.
Now, for the teaching moment. Normally, when my scope lived in its trailer, I religiously kept a 15w lightbulb underneath the mirror. For those who don't know, this helps keep the mirror warmer than ambient during storage in an enclosed container helping prevent dew from forming on the primary.
During my hiatus, the scopes lived in a relatives garage. Although the scopes were covered with plastic and blankets, that wasn't nearly enough protection. I also didn't think I needed to do the light bulb trick in a large garage so I didn't do it. BIG MISTAKE. 5 years of storage and all of the heating, cooling, dewing cycles took its toll. Never will I make this mistake again. My laziness essentially caked on 5 years of dust and whatever else in the form of airborne contaminates.
So. Please learn from my mistakes. If you're going to store your scope in anything other than a controlled environment, please use the time tested lightbulb trick. It very well could save your coatings.
I just got really lucky.....
|
My 23 year old 20” F5 has always been kept in a controlled environment, but are starting to fail. ?Do you have any mirror coating companies that you could recommend?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Nov 20, 2020, at 11:20 AM, Dragan Nikin <dragannikin@...> wrote:
?
A repost from Obsession FB group.
Sorry this will be kinda long.
Some good news I want to share. Anyone that knows me personally knows that I haven't observed regularly with my 25" or 30" in a number of years - 5 to be exact. I'll blame 'life' for this little absence. Yes, I've gotten out to observe fairly often, particularly in Ft Davis with a 48 and atop Mauna Kea with a 22, so I'm really not complaining. My scopes were in storage during this time, protected sufficiently - or so I thought. When I brought the scopes home and wanted to get them prepared for regular observing, I discovered that the primaries were covered in a 'caked on' layer of gray dust. They didn't look good at all.
Fearing the worst, a bath was in order. I pulled out the 25's mirror yesterday and proceeded to wash the mirror just as Dave does. After the initial rinse, i proceeded to use soapy water and cotton hoping to remove the film. The cotton actually turned gray - that's how bad the scum was. After numerous washings with soapy wads of cotton, the film did not come off. After far too many vulgarities, I resigned myself that it's time for a recoat and I should just dry it and move on. Well, lo and behold, as soon as I began drying the mirror, the disgusting film started to come off! What a surprise!
Now, I'll be honest. The mirror doesn't look like it just came back from the coater. But it looks great and it's definitely usable and I've bought myself atleast a few years of use! I'll need a recoat for sure but it won't be now. And that's all that matters! I'll do the 30 tonight after work and report back. I'm sure I'll have the same results.
Now, for the teaching moment. Normally, when my scope lived in its trailer, I religiously kept a 15w lightbulb underneath the mirror. For those who don't know, this helps keep the mirror warmer than ambient during storage in an enclosed container helping prevent dew from forming on the primary.
During my hiatus, the scopes lived in a relatives garage. Although the scopes were covered with plastic and blankets, that wasn't nearly enough protection. I also didn't think I needed to do the light bulb trick in a large garage so I didn't do it. BIG MISTAKE. 5 years of storage and all of the heating, cooling, dewing cycles took its toll. Never will I make this mistake again. My laziness essentially caked on 5 years of dust and whatever else in the form of airborne contaminates.
So. Please learn from my mistakes. If you're going to store your scope in anything other than a controlled environment, please use the time tested lightbulb trick. It very well could save your coatings.
I just got really lucky.....
<125836563_10224290672676461_8096491706203351079_o.jpg> <125969171_10224290672436455_3449058360996723675_o.jpg> <126177225_10224290671916442_9211984385989521757_o.jpg> <126181068_10224290671676436_752145049163721168_o.jpg> <126237410_10224290672916467_5805063476169098666_o.jpg> <126486530_10224290673156473_7854108636239541750_o.jpg> <126506459_10224290672196449_4929054325396449406_o.jpg>
|
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Nov 20, 2020, at 6:06 PM, skygazr33 via groups.io <skygazr@...> wrote:
? My 23 year old 20” F5 has always been kept in a controlled environment, but are starting to fail. ?Do you have any mirror coating companies that you could recommend?
Rick Markunas
On Nov 20, 2020, at 11:20 AM, Dragan Nikin <dragannikin@...> wrote:
?
A repost from Obsession FB group.
Sorry this will be kinda long.
Some good news I want to share. Anyone that knows me personally knows that I haven't observed regularly with my 25" or 30" in a number of years - 5 to be exact. I'll blame 'life' for this little absence. Yes, I've
gotten out to observe fairly often, particularly in Ft Davis with a 48 and atop Mauna Kea with a 22, so I'm really not complaining. My scopes were in storage during this time, protected sufficiently - or so I thought. When I brought the scopes home and wanted
to get them prepared for regular observing, I discovered that the primaries were covered in a 'caked on' layer of gray dust. They didn't look good at all.
Fearing the worst, a bath was in order. I pulled out the 25's mirror yesterday and proceeded to wash the mirror just as Dave does. After the initial rinse, i proceeded to use soapy water and cotton hoping to remove
the film. The cotton actually turned gray - that's how bad the scum was. After numerous washings with soapy wads of cotton, the film did not come off. After far too many vulgarities, I resigned myself that it's time for a recoat and I should just dry it and
move on. Well, lo and behold, as soon as I began drying the mirror, the disgusting film started to come off! What a surprise!
Now, I'll be honest. The mirror doesn't look like it just came back from the coater. But it looks great and it's definitely usable and I've bought myself atleast a few years of use! I'll need a recoat for sure but
it won't be now. And that's all that matters! I'll do the 30 tonight after work and report back. I'm sure I'll have the same results.
Now, for the teaching moment. Normally, when my scope lived in its trailer, I religiously kept a 15w lightbulb underneath the mirror. For those who don't know, this helps keep the mirror warmer than ambient during
storage in an enclosed container helping prevent dew from forming on the primary.
During my hiatus, the scopes lived in a relatives garage. Although the scopes were covered with plastic and blankets, that wasn't nearly enough protection. I also didn't think I needed to do the light bulb trick in
a large garage so I didn't do it. BIG MISTAKE. 5 years of storage and all of the heating, cooling, dewing cycles took its toll. Never will I make this mistake again. My laziness essentially caked on 5 years of dust and whatever else in the form of airborne
contaminates.
So. Please learn from my mistakes. If you're going to store your scope in anything other than a controlled environment, please use the time tested lightbulb trick. It very well could save your coatings.
I just got really lucky.....
<125836563_10224290672676461_8096491706203351079_o.jpg>
<125969171_10224290672436455_3449058360996723675_o.jpg>
<126177225_10224290671916442_9211984385989521757_o.jpg>
<126181068_10224290671676436_752145049163721168_o.jpg>
<126237410_10224290672916467_5805063476169098666_o.jpg>
<126486530_10224290673156473_7854108636239541750_o.jpg>
<126506459_10224290672196449_4929054325396449406_o.jpg>
|
Tom Ostahowski Optics down in Southern California. ?Great job, fair prices and fast turn-around! Just recently had my mirrors recoated!
Dennis Beckley, 18 inch Classic AN/SC
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Nov 20, 2020, at 3:06 PM, skygazr33 via groups.io <skygazr@...> wrote:
? My 23 year old 20” F5 has always been kept in a controlled environment, but are starting to fail. ?Do you have any mirror coating companies that you could recommend? Rick Markunas On Nov 20, 2020, at 11:20 AM, Dragan Nikin <dragannikin@...> wrote:
?
A repost from Obsession FB group.
Sorry this will be kinda long.
Some good news I want to share. Anyone that knows me personally knows that I haven't observed regularly with my 25" or 30" in a number of years - 5 to be exact. I'll blame 'life' for this little absence. Yes, I've gotten out to observe fairly often, particularly in Ft Davis with a 48 and atop Mauna Kea with a 22, so I'm really not complaining. My scopes were in storage during this time, protected sufficiently - or so I thought. When I brought the scopes home and wanted to get them prepared for regular observing, I discovered that the primaries were covered in a 'caked on' layer of gray dust. They didn't look good at all.
Fearing the worst, a bath was in order. I pulled out the 25's mirror yesterday and proceeded to wash the mirror just as Dave does. After the initial rinse, i proceeded to use soapy water and cotton hoping to remove the film. The cotton actually turned gray - that's how bad the scum was. After numerous washings with soapy wads of cotton, the film did not come off. After far too many vulgarities, I resigned myself that it's time for a recoat and I should just dry it and move on. Well, lo and behold, as soon as I began drying the mirror, the disgusting film started to come off! What a surprise!
Now, I'll be honest. The mirror doesn't look like it just came back from the coater. But it looks great and it's definitely usable and I've bought myself atleast a few years of use! I'll need a recoat for sure but it won't be now. And that's all that matters! I'll do the 30 tonight after work and report back. I'm sure I'll have the same results.
Now, for the teaching moment. Normally, when my scope lived in its trailer, I religiously kept a 15w lightbulb underneath the mirror. For those who don't know, this helps keep the mirror warmer than ambient during storage in an enclosed container helping prevent dew from forming on the primary.
During my hiatus, the scopes lived in a relatives garage. Although the scopes were covered with plastic and blankets, that wasn't nearly enough protection. I also didn't think I needed to do the light bulb trick in a large garage so I didn't do it. BIG MISTAKE. 5 years of storage and all of the heating, cooling, dewing cycles took its toll. Never will I make this mistake again. My laziness essentially caked on 5 years of dust and whatever else in the form of airborne contaminates.
So. Please learn from my mistakes. If you're going to store your scope in anything other than a controlled environment, please use the time tested lightbulb trick. It very well could save your coatings.
I just got really lucky.....
<125836563_10224290672676461_8096491706203351079_o.jpg> <125969171_10224290672436455_3449058360996723675_o.jpg> <126177225_10224290671916442_9211984385989521757_o.jpg> <126181068_10224290671676436_752145049163721168_o.jpg> <126237410_10224290672916467_5805063476169098666_o.jpg> <126486530_10224290673156473_7854108636239541750_o.jpg> <126506459_10224290672196449_4929054325396449406_o.jpg>
|
OMI is no more. They've been gone for a couple years now.?
I spoke with James last night. Apparently Plane Wave is coating amateurs mirrors now. So that's an option.?
-Dragan
Sent from my Samsung Note 10+
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
-------- Original message -------- From: Roger Greenwood <roger@...> Date: 11/20/20 5:32 PM (GMT-06:00) Subject: Re: [ObsessionUsers] Don't do what I did :)
Zambuto or OMI.
?-Roger
On Nov 20, 2020, at 6:06 PM, skygazr33 via groups.io <skygazr@...> wrote:
? My 23 year old 20” F5 has always been kept in a controlled environment, but are starting to fail. ?Do you have any mirror coating companies that you could recommend?
Rick Markunas
On Nov 20, 2020, at 11:20 AM, Dragan Nikin <dragannikin@...> wrote:
?
A repost from Obsession FB group.
Sorry this will be kinda long.
Some good news I want to share. Anyone that knows me personally knows that I haven't observed regularly with my 25" or 30" in a number of years - 5 to be exact. I'll blame 'life' for this little absence. Yes, I've
gotten out to observe fairly often, particularly in Ft Davis with a 48 and atop Mauna Kea with a 22, so I'm really not complaining. My scopes were in storage during this time, protected sufficiently - or so I thought. When I brought the scopes home and wanted
to get them prepared for regular observing, I discovered that the primaries were covered in a 'caked on' layer of gray dust. They didn't look good at all.
Fearing the worst, a bath was in order. I pulled out the 25's mirror yesterday and proceeded to wash the mirror just as Dave does. After the initial rinse, i proceeded to use soapy water and cotton hoping to remove
the film. The cotton actually turned gray - that's how bad the scum was. After numerous washings with soapy wads of cotton, the film did not come off. After far too many vulgarities, I resigned myself that it's time for a recoat and I should just dry it and
move on. Well, lo and behold, as soon as I began drying the mirror, the disgusting film started to come off! What a surprise!
Now, I'll be honest. The mirror doesn't look like it just came back from the coater. But it looks great and it's definitely usable and I've bought myself atleast a few years of use! I'll need a recoat for sure but
it won't be now. And that's all that matters! I'll do the 30 tonight after work and report back. I'm sure I'll have the same results.
Now, for the teaching moment. Normally, when my scope lived in its trailer, I religiously kept a 15w lightbulb underneath the mirror. For those who don't know, this helps keep the mirror warmer than ambient during
storage in an enclosed container helping prevent dew from forming on the primary.
During my hiatus, the scopes lived in a relatives garage. Although the scopes were covered with plastic and blankets, that wasn't nearly enough protection. I also didn't think I needed to do the light bulb trick in
a large garage so I didn't do it. BIG MISTAKE. 5 years of storage and all of the heating, cooling, dewing cycles took its toll. Never will I make this mistake again. My laziness essentially caked on 5 years of dust and whatever else in the form of airborne
contaminates.
So. Please learn from my mistakes. If you're going to store your scope in anything other than a controlled environment, please use the time tested lightbulb trick. It very well could save your coatings.
I just got really lucky.....
<125836563_10224290672676461_8096491706203351079_o.jpg>
<125969171_10224290672436455_3449058360996723675_o.jpg>
<126177225_10224290671916442_9211984385989521757_o.jpg>
<126181068_10224290671676436_752145049163721168_o.jpg>
<126237410_10224290672916467_5805063476169098666_o.jpg>
<126486530_10224290673156473_7854108636239541750_o.jpg>
<126506459_10224290672196449_4929054325396449406_o.jpg>
|
I think OMI is out of business. Your choices would be Zambuto, Majestic, or Spectrum.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Nov 20, 2020, at 6:32 PM, Roger Greenwood < roger@...> wrote:
Zambuto or OMI.
?-Roger
On Nov 20, 2020, at 6:06 PM, skygazr33 via <skygazr@...> wrote:
? My 23 year old 20” F5 has always been kept in a controlled environment, but are starting to fail. ?Do you have any mirror coating companies that you could recommend?
Rick Markunas
?
A repost from Obsession FB group.
Sorry this will be kinda long.
Some good news I want to share. Anyone that knows me personally knows that I haven't observed regularly with my 25" or 30" in a number of years - 5 to be exact. I'll blame 'life' for this little absence. Yes, I've
gotten out to observe fairly often, particularly in Ft Davis with a 48 and atop Mauna Kea with a 22, so I'm really not complaining. My scopes were in storage during this time, protected sufficiently - or so I thought. When I brought the scopes home and wanted
to get them prepared for regular observing, I discovered that the primaries were covered in a 'caked on' layer of gray dust. They didn't look good at all.
Fearing the worst, a bath was in order. I pulled out the 25's mirror yesterday and proceeded to wash the mirror just as Dave does. After the initial rinse, i proceeded to use soapy water and cotton hoping to remove
the film. The cotton actually turned gray - that's how bad the scum was. After numerous washings with soapy wads of cotton, the film did not come off. After far too many vulgarities, I resigned myself that it's time for a recoat and I should just dry it and
move on. Well, lo and behold, as soon as I began drying the mirror, the disgusting film started to come off! What a surprise!
Now, I'll be honest. The mirror doesn't look like it just came back from the coater. But it looks great and it's definitely usable and I've bought myself atleast a few years of use! I'll need a recoat for sure but
it won't be now. And that's all that matters! I'll do the 30 tonight after work and report back. I'm sure I'll have the same results.
Now, for the teaching moment. Normally, when my scope lived in its trailer, I religiously kept a 15w lightbulb underneath the mirror. For those who don't know, this helps keep the mirror warmer than ambient during
storage in an enclosed container helping prevent dew from forming on the primary.
During my hiatus, the scopes lived in a relatives garage. Although the scopes were covered with plastic and blankets, that wasn't nearly enough protection. I also didn't think I needed to do the light bulb trick in
a large garage so I didn't do it. BIG MISTAKE. 5 years of storage and all of the heating, cooling, dewing cycles took its toll. Never will I make this mistake again. My laziness essentially caked on 5 years of dust and whatever else in the form of airborne
contaminates.
So. Please learn from my mistakes. If you're going to store your scope in anything other than a controlled environment, please use the time tested lightbulb trick. It very well could save your coatings.
I just got really lucky.....
<125836563_10224290672676461_8096491706203351079_o.jpg>
<125969171_10224290672436455_3449058360996723675_o.jpg>
<126177225_10224290671916442_9211984385989521757_o.jpg>
<126181068_10224290671676436_752145049163721168_o.jpg>
<126237410_10224290672916467_5805063476169098666_o.jpg>
<126486530_10224290673156473_7854108636239541750_o.jpg>
<126506459_10224290672196449_4929054325396449406_o.jpg>
--
Mark Bungart
15" Obsession #643 / Swayze mirror
Grove City, Ohio
|
L & L did a nice job on my 18 inch mirror several years ago.
On Friday, November 20, 2020, 05:26:05 PM PST, Mark Bungart <mbungart@...> wrote:
I think OMI is out of business. Your choices would be Zambuto, Majestic, or Spectrum. On Nov 20, 2020, at 6:32 PM, Roger Greenwood < roger@...> wrote:
Zambuto or OMI.
?-Roger
On Nov 20, 2020, at 6:06 PM, skygazr33 via <skygazr@...> wrote:
? My 23 year old 20” F5 has always been kept in a controlled environment, but are starting to fail. ?Do you have any mirror coating companies that you could recommend?
Rick Markunas
?
A repost from Obsession FB group.
Sorry this will be kinda long.
Some good news I want to share. Anyone that knows me personally knows that I haven't observed regularly with my 25" or 30" in a number of years - 5 to be exact. I'll blame 'life' for this little absence. Yes, I've
gotten out to observe fairly often, particularly in Ft Davis with a 48 and atop Mauna Kea with a 22, so I'm really not complaining. My scopes were in storage during this time, protected sufficiently - or so I thought. When I brought the scopes home and wanted
to get them prepared for regular observing, I discovered that the primaries were covered in a 'caked on' layer of gray dust. They didn't look good at all.
Fearing the worst, a bath was in order. I pulled out the 25's mirror yesterday and proceeded to wash the mirror just as Dave does. After the initial rinse, i proceeded to use soapy water and cotton hoping to remove
the film. The cotton actually turned gray - that's how bad the scum was. After numerous washings with soapy wads of cotton, the film did not come off. After far too many vulgarities, I resigned myself that it's time for a recoat and I should just dry it and
move on. Well, lo and behold, as soon as I began drying the mirror, the disgusting film started to come off! What a surprise!
Now, I'll be honest. The mirror doesn't look like it just came back from the coater. But it looks great and it's definitely usable and I've bought myself atleast a few years of use! I'll need a recoat for sure but
it won't be now. And that's all that matters! I'll do the 30 tonight after work and report back. I'm sure I'll have the same results.
Now, for the teaching moment. Normally, when my scope lived in its trailer, I religiously kept a 15w lightbulb underneath the mirror. For those who don't know, this helps keep the mirror warmer than ambient during
storage in an enclosed container helping prevent dew from forming on the primary.
During my hiatus, the scopes lived in a relatives garage. Although the scopes were covered with plastic and blankets, that wasn't nearly enough protection. I also didn't think I needed to do the light bulb trick in
a large garage so I didn't do it. BIG MISTAKE. 5 years of storage and all of the heating, cooling, dewing cycles took its toll. Never will I make this mistake again. My laziness essentially caked on 5 years of dust and whatever else in the form of airborne
contaminates.
So. Please learn from my mistakes. If you're going to store your scope in anything other than a controlled environment, please use the time tested lightbulb trick. It very well could save your coatings.
I just got really lucky.....
<125836563_10224290672676461_8096491706203351079_o.jpg>
<125969171_10224290672436455_3449058360996723675_o.jpg>
<126177225_10224290671916442_9211984385989521757_o.jpg>
<126181068_10224290671676436_752145049163721168_o.jpg>
<126237410_10224290672916467_5805063476169098666_o.jpg>
<126486530_10224290673156473_7854108636239541750_o.jpg>
<126506459_10224290672196449_4929054325396449406_o.jpg>
--
Mark Bungart
15" Obsession #643 / Swayze mirror
Grove City, Ohio
|
The last time I checked Galaxy Optics is still coating.
Regards, and clear skies #1138
On Friday, November 20, 2020, 6:47:37 PM MST, Jeffrey D. Gortatowsky via groups.io <indanapt@...> wrote:
L & L did a nice job on my 18 inch mirror several years ago.
On Friday, November 20, 2020, 05:26:05 PM PST, Mark Bungart <mbungart@...> wrote:
I think OMI is out of business. Your choices would be Zambuto, Majestic, or Spectrum. On Nov 20, 2020, at 6:32 PM, Roger Greenwood < roger@...> wrote:
Zambuto or OMI.
?-Roger
On Nov 20, 2020, at 6:06 PM, skygazr33 via <skygazr@...> wrote:
? My 23 year old 20” F5 has always been kept in a controlled environment, but are starting to fail. ?Do you have any mirror coating companies that you could recommend?
Rick Markunas
?
A repost from Obsession FB group.
Sorry this will be kinda long.
Some good news I want to share. Anyone that knows me personally knows that I haven't observed regularly with my 25" or 30" in a number of years - 5 to be exact. I'll blame 'life' for this little absence. Yes, I've
gotten out to observe fairly often, particularly in Ft Davis with a 48 and atop Mauna Kea with a 22, so I'm really not complaining. My scopes were in storage during this time, protected sufficiently - or so I thought. When I brought the scopes home and wanted
to get them prepared for regular observing, I discovered that the primaries were covered in a 'caked on' layer of gray dust. They didn't look good at all.
Fearing the worst, a bath was in order. I pulled out the 25's mirror yesterday and proceeded to wash the mirror just as Dave does. After the initial rinse, i proceeded to use soapy water and cotton hoping to remove
the film. The cotton actually turned gray - that's how bad the scum was. After numerous washings with soapy wads of cotton, the film did not come off. After far too many vulgarities, I resigned myself that it's time for a recoat and I should just dry it and
move on. Well, lo and behold, as soon as I began drying the mirror, the disgusting film started to come off! What a surprise!
Now, I'll be honest. The mirror doesn't look like it just came back from the coater. But it looks great and it's definitely usable and I've bought myself atleast a few years of use! I'll need a recoat for sure but
it won't be now. And that's all that matters! I'll do the 30 tonight after work and report back. I'm sure I'll have the same results.
Now, for the teaching moment. Normally, when my scope lived in its trailer, I religiously kept a 15w lightbulb underneath the mirror. For those who don't know, this helps keep the mirror warmer than ambient during
storage in an enclosed container helping prevent dew from forming on the primary.
During my hiatus, the scopes lived in a relatives garage. Although the scopes were covered with plastic and blankets, that wasn't nearly enough protection. I also didn't think I needed to do the light bulb trick in
a large garage so I didn't do it. BIG MISTAKE. 5 years of storage and all of the heating, cooling, dewing cycles took its toll. Never will I make this mistake again. My laziness essentially caked on 5 years of dust and whatever else in the form of airborne
contaminates.
So. Please learn from my mistakes. If you're going to store your scope in anything other than a controlled environment, please use the time tested lightbulb trick. It very well could save your coatings.
I just got really lucky.....
<125836563_10224290672676461_8096491706203351079_o.jpg>
<125969171_10224290672436455_3449058360996723675_o.jpg>
<126177225_10224290671916442_9211984385989521757_o.jpg>
<126181068_10224290671676436_752145049163721168_o.jpg>
<126237410_10224290672916467_5805063476169098666_o.jpg>
<126486530_10224290673156473_7854108636239541750_o.jpg>
<126506459_10224290672196449_4929054325396449406_o.jpg>
--
Mark Bungart
15" Obsession #643 / Swayze mirror
Grove City, Ohio
|
If the mirror is a Zambuto he will recoat it.
Chris?
On Fri, Nov 20, 2020 at 8:58 PM Erwin Miller via <starramus= [email protected]> wrote:
The last time I checked Galaxy Optics is still coating.
Regards, and clear skies #1138
On Friday, November 20, 2020, 6:47:37 PM MST, Jeffrey D. Gortatowsky via <indanapt= [email protected]> wrote:
L & L did a nice job on my 18 inch mirror several years ago.
On Friday, November 20, 2020, 05:26:05 PM PST, Mark Bungart < mbungart@...> wrote:
I think OMI is out of business. Your choices would be Zambuto, Majestic, or Spectrum. On Nov 20, 2020, at 6:32 PM, Roger Greenwood < roger@...> wrote:
Zambuto or OMI.
?-Roger
On Nov 20, 2020, at 6:06 PM, skygazr33 via <skygazr@...> wrote:
? My 23 year old 20” F5 has always been kept in a controlled environment, but are starting to fail.? Do you have any mirror coating companies that you could recommend?
Rick Markunas
?
A repost from Obsession FB group.
Sorry this will be kinda long.
Some good news I want to share. Anyone that knows me personally knows that I haven't observed regularly with my 25" or 30" in a number of years - 5 to be exact. I'll blame 'life' for this little absence. Yes, I've
gotten out to observe fairly often, particularly in Ft Davis with a 48 and atop Mauna Kea with a 22, so I'm really not complaining. My scopes were in storage during this time, protected sufficiently - or so I thought. When I brought the scopes home and wanted
to get them prepared for regular observing, I discovered that the primaries were covered in a 'caked on' layer of gray dust. They didn't look good at all.
Fearing the worst, a bath was in order. I pulled out the 25's mirror yesterday and proceeded to wash the mirror just as Dave does. After the initial rinse, i proceeded to use soapy water and cotton hoping to remove
the film. The cotton actually turned gray - that's how bad the scum was. After numerous washings with soapy wads of cotton, the film did not come off. After far too many vulgarities, I resigned myself that it's time for a recoat and I should just dry it and
move on. Well, lo and behold, as soon as I began drying the mirror, the disgusting film started to come off! What a surprise!
Now, I'll be honest. The mirror doesn't look like it just came back from the coater. But it looks great and it's definitely usable and I've bought myself atleast a few years of use! I'll need a recoat for sure but
it won't be now. And that's all that matters! I'll do the 30 tonight after work and report back. I'm sure I'll have the same results.
Now, for the teaching moment. Normally, when my scope lived in its trailer, I religiously kept a 15w lightbulb underneath the mirror. For those who don't know, this helps keep the mirror warmer than ambient during
storage in an enclosed container helping prevent dew from forming on the primary.
During my hiatus, the scopes lived in a relatives garage. Although the scopes were covered with plastic and blankets, that wasn't nearly enough protection. I also didn't think I needed to do the light bulb trick in
a large garage so I didn't do it. BIG MISTAKE. 5 years of storage and all of the heating, cooling, dewing cycles took its toll. Never will I make this mistake again. My laziness essentially caked on 5 years of dust and whatever else in the form of airborne
contaminates.
So. Please learn from my mistakes. If you're going to store your scope in anything other than a controlled environment, please use the time tested lightbulb trick. It very well could save your coatings.
I just got really lucky.....
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Mark Bungart
15" Obsession #643 / Swayze mirror
Grove City, Ohio
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I feel so out of touch. Didn't know about OMI. I honestly think that if you want the best, with maximum attention to detail, go with Zambuto. Carl takes it to the "nth" degree for not a lot more $$.
-Roger
18" Classic AN/SC/FSA
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Nov 20, 2020, at 8:25 PM, Dragan Nikin via groups.io <dragannikin@...> wrote:
?
OMI is no more. They've been gone for a couple years now.?
I spoke with James last night. Apparently Plane Wave is coating amateurs mirrors now. So that's an option.?
-Dragan
Sent from my Samsung Note 10+
-------- Original message --------
From: Roger Greenwood <roger@...>
Date: 11/20/20 5:32 PM (GMT-06:00)
Subject: Re: [ObsessionUsers] Don't do what I did :)
Zambuto or OMI.
?-Roger
On Nov 20, 2020, at 6:06 PM, skygazr33 via groups.io <skygazr@...> wrote:
? My 23 year old 20” F5 has always been kept in a controlled environment, but are starting to fail. ?Do you have any mirror coating companies that you could recommend?
Rick Markunas
On Nov 20, 2020, at 11:20 AM, Dragan Nikin <dragannikin@...> wrote:
?
A repost from Obsession FB group.
Sorry this will be kinda long.
Some good news I want to share. Anyone that knows me personally knows that I haven't observed regularly with my 25" or 30" in a number of years - 5 to be exact. I'll blame 'life' for this little absence. Yes, I've
gotten out to observe fairly often, particularly in Ft Davis with a 48 and atop Mauna Kea with a 22, so I'm really not complaining. My scopes were in storage during this time, protected sufficiently - or so I thought. When I brought the scopes home and wanted
to get them prepared for regular observing, I discovered that the primaries were covered in a 'caked on' layer of gray dust. They didn't look good at all.
Fearing the worst, a bath was in order. I pulled out the 25's mirror yesterday and proceeded to wash the mirror just as Dave does. After the initial rinse, i proceeded to use soapy water and cotton hoping to remove
the film. The cotton actually turned gray - that's how bad the scum was. After numerous washings with soapy wads of cotton, the film did not come off. After far too many vulgarities, I resigned myself that it's time for a recoat and I should just dry it and
move on. Well, lo and behold, as soon as I began drying the mirror, the disgusting film started to come off! What a surprise!
Now, I'll be honest. The mirror doesn't look like it just came back from the coater. But it looks great and it's definitely usable and I've bought myself atleast a few years of use! I'll need a recoat for sure but
it won't be now. And that's all that matters! I'll do the 30 tonight after work and report back. I'm sure I'll have the same results.
Now, for the teaching moment. Normally, when my scope lived in its trailer, I religiously kept a 15w lightbulb underneath the mirror. For those who don't know, this helps keep the mirror warmer than ambient during
storage in an enclosed container helping prevent dew from forming on the primary.
During my hiatus, the scopes lived in a relatives garage. Although the scopes were covered with plastic and blankets, that wasn't nearly enough protection. I also didn't think I needed to do the light bulb trick in
a large garage so I didn't do it. BIG MISTAKE. 5 years of storage and all of the heating, cooling, dewing cycles took its toll. Never will I make this mistake again. My laziness essentially caked on 5 years of dust and whatever else in the form of airborne
contaminates.
So. Please learn from my mistakes. If you're going to store your scope in anything other than a controlled environment, please use the time tested lightbulb trick. It very well could save your coatings.
I just got really lucky.....
<125836563_10224290672676461_8096491706203351079_o.jpg>
<125969171_10224290672436455_3449058360996723675_o.jpg>
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I had my 2006 18" OMI mirror and galaxy secondary recoated by OMI in 2018.? The scope was mainly stored in my garage under a cover, after coating the scope is stored inside the house (i did not use the light bulb trick, and probably should have). I attached a pic of the mirror before recoating, it was long overdue, but the scope was still producing good images at the eyepiece and with planetary astrophotography. The primary recoat came out great and turnaround time was pretty quick.? I was not aware of OMI closing down, looks like someone has an astronomy-related website with a similar name but I don't see?James?Mulherin (former OMI president and lead optical engineer)?as being on staff.
I think mirrors tends to be recoated in batches, so you might want ask when the next batch will be run before sending in your mirror so you can use it until is is close to time to recoat.?
I will put together a PDF and upload to the file section on (at least one way) to properly pack a large expensive mirror for shipment for recoating, it's something all Obsession owners should know. Others can throw in their two cents.
Greg
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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.
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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
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.
|
Pore distilled water at a 45° angle if there's any droplets just soak them off gently by touching the tip of a paper towel to soak them up.
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.
|
Yeah, I tried that but it did not remove whatever it is.
Pore distilled water at a 45° angle if there's any droplets just soak them off gently by touching the tip of a paper towel to soak them up.
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.
|
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
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
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
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
|
Right but how and when can you tell whether it’s coatings or something else ?
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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
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
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
|
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.
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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
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
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
|
Right but what am I looking for ? ?You will see some light right ? ?Try it on yours. ?If it’s light and uniform is that ok or it should have absolutely no light at all come though the back ? ?Also how bright of a light or should it not matter ?
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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.
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
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
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
|
Well guys. ?I sent in the primary and secondary to Ostahowski for recoating the OMI mirror. ?I decided to just get her done !! ?She’s a 2005 and never been done.
Terry there is real nice and very informative.
Also going to be adding the Glatter Cable Sling to her as well with the extension plates.
What do you guys recommend for secondary dew heater reattachment ? ?The old stuff was like 6 dots of some blue flexi stuff ?
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On Oct 24, 2021, at 6:05 PM, Jesse Godsey via groups.io <jessegodsey@...> wrote:
? Right but what am I looking for ? ?You will see some light right ? ?Try it on yours. ?If it’s light and uniform is that ok or it should have absolutely no light at all come though the back ? ?Also how bright of a light or should it not matter ? 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.
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
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
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
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Dragan Nikin
Dennis Beckley
Christine Zeltner
Jesse Godsey
Greg Wing