Subal flat port glass problems

Hey guys

My 5 years old FP-90 Subal flat port seems to have developed some sort of bloom or haze on the outer surface. I just cannot figure out what it might be, what could have caused it and, more importantly, how to remove it. Looking through the port is like looking through old glass - almost as though it has been smeared with vaseline. (which it hasn't!). Images look soft and romantic!

I've tried cleaning the surfaces with alcohol; and thinking it might be salt residue, tried vinegar. No success.

Anyone any ideas?

The most common cause is exposure to fuel - i.e. when camera is in the bottom of a RIB/zodiac and there is water with a film of fuel splashing about on top.

I am not aware of any way to clean this off glass ports effectively.

I had the glass on my ports replaced this year. Now they are as good as new - and it was a fraction of the price of getting new ports.

Alex

Do you think something like soft scrub or tooth past would be worth while trying?

Elmer

Do you think something like soft scrub or tooth past would be worth while trying?

 

Elmer

Yup - if all else fails get the glass replaced as Alex seems to have.

Alex - who did this for you ?

I would also look at some of the stuff on polishing telescope mirrors and lenses - also worth a go.

Paul C

Another suggestion is acetone (finger nail polish remover) since your port is glass, it will not dissolve it. If it does not come off right away, you could let the acetone sit over night impregnated in a cloth.

I had my 70-180 port glass changed by Reef Photo, it got dinged in a rinse tank. Any Subal repair center should be able to change it for you.

Elmer

Hey guys

 

My 5 years old FP-90 Subal flat port seems to have developed some sort of bloom or haze on the outer surface. I just cannot figure out what it might be, what could have caused it and, more importantly, how to remove it. Looking through the port is like looking through old glass - almost as though it has been smeared with vaseline. (which it hasn't!). Images look soft and romantic!

 

I've tried cleaning the surfaces with alcohol; and thinking it might be salt residue, tried vinegar. No success.

 

Anyone any ideas?

Hi TimG,

maybe you can give these (cheap) or these (more expensive I guess) a try. Some of the last cleaners can be used explicitly to clean BK7 glass - an optical glass often used for ports.

Sebastian

I would be careful with strong products as they may deteriorate the o-rings... I would recommend getting new glasses as we spend a lot of money in UWP for quality and a bad glass ruins it all.

Thanks so much guys.

So far have tried alcohol, toothpaste, contact lens solution, detergents and vinegar. None have done anything. One of our guests, who seems pretty clued up, thought the blooming was alkaline-based and has suggested Brasso or 50% concentration acetic acid. I'm trying to find both in the wilds of Bitung.

I'm seeing if I can track down any of the products helpfully suggested by Sebatsian - but here in Sulawesi?

The guests also suggested popping the glass out - which he thought fairly easy - then getting jewellers' rouge to buff the stains out. Gulp. He thought re-fitting the glass was fairly straightforward too.

Meanwhile.... I have emailed Subal and contacted Ryan at Reef about a replacement and a repair.

I suspect Alex and David are right - new glass.

Fancy, here I am living in Macrocentral and no %^$%(^! macro port. Grrrrr

Try acetone, just keep it away from the edges of the glass to protect the o-rings.

If that does not work, ship it to Ryan at Reef and you could probably have it back in a few weeks.

In the mean time you could borrow one from one of your KBR guests that is departing and mail it back to them.

Elmer