Hunting rarely takes place in a perfect, dry and clean environment. Therefore, cleaning your equipment – riflescopes included – is essential. But how to clean a riflescope properly? How often should you do it? We’re here to help you out and answer these questions in detail.
We should note that at Yukon, we believe that cleaning is just a small part of taking care of your device. So, instead, we are changing the question from “How to clean a riflescope?” to “How to maintain one?”. And without further ado, let’s get to it.
First of all, we would like to note that we like to separate maintenance into two sections: one you need to perform before every use and one every six months. Let’s begin with the former one.
Before taking your device out for a hunt, inspect the unit visually. Have a close look and ensure there is no physical damage – cracks, dents or signs of corrosion. These could impair your riflescope’s functionality, so if you see anything like that, we don’t recommend continuing the use of the device as it might not perform to your standards.
You should also make sure that your riflescope is properly installed – it should be sturdy and allow for no movement.
Then, have a look at the lens and eyepiece. There should be no cracks – and they are unlikely to appear. However, it’s more probable that you’ll come across some grease spots, dirt, water stains or another residue. Since these can significantly reduce image quality, you should get rid of them before your outing.
If you’re wondering how to clean a riflescope lens, here is how it goes. First of all, you should get rid of all dust, preferably by a non-contact method, like blowing it off. Then, using a designated cleaner and a soft cloth (if you buy a riflescope from Yukon, you’ll get one from us with your device), gently clean the lens.
Finally, before you go out, visually inspect the condition of the battery and the battery compartment. There should be no signs of oxidation or any kind of residue, especially in the spot where the battery makes contact with metal.
Now, we know it sounds like a lot, but trust us, once you actually start the inspection, it barely takes a minute, provided you take proper care of your riflescope.
And speaking of proper care – it’s about time we spoke about technical maintenance, which you should perform at least twice a year.
First, wipe the plastic and metallic surfaces of the riflescope with a soft, lint-free cloth. This will help you get rid of any dirt, dust, and moisture. Then, grab some oil-free solvent and clean the electric points of the battery and the battery compartment. This will assist in preventing oxidation in the future.
Finally, clean the lenses. We’ve described the process already, so simply follow the same steps, and you’re good to go.
Before we go, let us also have a word about the storage of your device. While technically, this does not answer the question of how to clean a riflescope, it is important for overall maintenance. So, when not in use, make sure you keep your device in a dry, well-ventilated space. We hope that you now have a clear understanding of how to clean a riflescope. And should you have any remaining questions, you can always contact our support team.