How to Clean Scope: Everything You Need to Know

Maintaining the quality of a rifle scope gun is SUPER IMPORTANT!

Yet, I’m guilty of neglecting to do regular maintenance on my rifle scope lens.

But which is worse—losing a target shot or taking a few more minutes to clean it?

In this article, I’ll explain the efficient tips for cleaning rifle scopes so you can quit making excuses for your dirty scope lens. It’s common sense! 

Don’t compromise it. It will go a long way!

But first, let’s understand the essential parts of the scope.

Getting to Know the Rifle Scope

Traditional optical scopes are simple. When using a fixed single lens scope, you should become familiar with a few parts.

A fixed magnifying scope’s fundamental components are as follows:

• Scope housing: It has a very distinct shape that most people can identify in a gun. The scope’s central long, thin metal tube has a diameter of 30mm or one inch.
• Bell or objective lens: It generally is larger in diameter than the rest of the scope at one end. The objective lens is at the end of the scope.
• Eyepiece: It is at the other end of the scope. The final lens is in the eyepiece, where you see the image.
• Turrets: Near the center of the sight, two knobs or screws hold the turrets in place. These turret caps let you change the elevation and windage of your sight.
• Reticle: Also known as the crosshair, it is what you see when you look through your riflescope.

How to Properly Clean a Rifle Scope Lens

I clean my rifle scope ONLY when it is dirty.

This section explains how to clean your riflescope and will help you enhance your target shooting experience.

• Step 1. As soon as it is loose, start unscrewing it from either side in a cross pattern.
• Step 2: Avoid touching anything with your fingers since oils left behind may influence how things appear through the scope.
• Step 3: Lay an old towel on a table and lay out one of the rifle scope lenses (try not to let anything else fall off).
• Step 4: Wipe off all glass surfaces with another towel to brush off dirt and other contaminants with a lens cleaning fluid.
• Step 5: Wipe the glass.
• Step 6: Make an effective cleaning solution spray with water and ammonia.
• Step 7: Spray the solution onto the lens and wipe the coatings clean.
• Step 8: Brush away any tenacious dirt with a gentle toothbrush.
• Step 9: Rinse it with water to drop all debris.
• Step 10: Continue performing steps 5 through 9 until your riflescope lens is clear of all dirt and debris.

How to Prevent Your Scope Lenses from Getting Dirty

The correct way to clean the riflescope is essential.

You must take steps to prevent your rifle scope lenses from looking like a car windshield. Here are a few tips for maintaining the quality of your gun scopes.

1. Clean Your Lens

Scratching up a quality rifle scope lens you have spent money on is the last thing you want to do.

Before even considering rubbing the glass, you must dust off your lens.

Tiny particles of dust and debris cause a microscopic scratch in your coatings. It will reduce its clarity over time.

If you neglect this procedure enough, you’ll soon discover that you need a new 1-8x or 1000-yard scope.

2. Make Use of a Microfiber Cloth

I made the stupid mistake of using my shirt to wipe the lens. DON’T DO THAT.

Kleenex, paper towels, and toilet tissue are NOT for wiping your glass lens. They are too abrasive and may scratch the lens coatings.

After that mistake, I made sure to ALWAYS use a microfiber cloth or wipes to clean grease and fingerprint smudges off lenses.

Be careful not to leave scratches or cotton fibers behind! Remember to wipe in circular motion, too.

3. Do Not Spray the Cleaning Solution Onto the Lens

Although water and fabric will do, there are occasions when you need more effort.

I always spray the lens cleaning solution onto the cloth rather than the lens itself, or it will damage the coatings.

Too much damp air can ruin the seals on your rifle scope.

4. Keep Your Lens Caps On

You can protect your riflescope’s optical glass from moisture by using lens covers.

Keep the scope lens caps ON your rifle while cleaning it!

Cleaning agents and powders might damage the scope’s lens coatings and waterproof seals.

BONUS TIP: Keep your lens caps on when traveling in and out of your hunting spot. It protects your optic from creating a lot of grime. You can run into rain or pollen, contaminating your lens covers.

5. Make Use of a Q-Tip

I learned this hack when I saw that my scope has many small nooks and crevices that are difficult to clean.

To clean ridges and tight spots, use a Q-tip.

If you want to protect your rifle scope lens, wrap your fabric around the Q-tip and wipe the glass.

It will clean a rifle scope without leaving wisps of cotton behind.

6. Make Use of a Lens Pen

LensPen is a dual-ended tool created only for cleaning lenses that is popular among photographers and hunters.

I really like this lens brush because it cleans my lenses WITHOUT using any liquids.

The one end includes bristles for dusting the lens. The other end has a pad with a carbon-cleaning chemical for rubbing out fingerprint smudges.

Before dusting bristles on your lens, ensure they are clean of oil and grime. This brush is inexpensive, so replace them as needed.

7. Remove Your Turrets

The lens is not the only component of your scope that requires attention!

I remember coming back from a windy shooting day when I realized that my turret caps had almost rusted up!

A Q-tip is helpful; if you decide to use the towel, clean your turrets AFTER you clean your lens.</