How to clean "dirty lense"??

[rrtbusa]

I've read where people cleans the lense on the recorder/player,Are they using the can of compress air as the first try,or are there more appropiate ways? A newbie wanting to learn?

[dcsos]

they sell a brush/liquid disc
http://www.directron.com/cdlens.html

if you can't get a qtip with isopropyl 99% alcohol into the mechanism

[Harpmaker]

Just a word of caution; most, if not all, of the lasers used in CD/DVD devices have anti-reflective surface coatings which can be damaged by cleaning, so don't over do it, and be careful.

[rrtbusa]

Ok, Thanks Guys,But i thought i read where you can blow compressed air(as you use on the computer) in there ,maybe just to clean dust etc. Is this, ok & safe?????

[handyguy]

Yeah, you can use compressed air thats for electronics...Turn the machine off first cause the air can sometimes drip a liquid. Its getting it to aim right thats the trick.

[FKrueger]

I don't know if it works, but Philips has a dvdrecorder cleaner, it has very fine brushes as compared to a cd cleaner. Again, I don't know if it works as I won't use it till there are problems.

[Paul_G]

I use methylated spirits (denatured alcohol) for cd/dvd lasers and it does a good job.

Dip a cotton bud in meths and just stroke across the laser once, wait about 5 mins and pop in disc.

[redwudz]

Try the canned air first. Then maybe a cleaning disk, as long as it's not abrasive.

For real cleaning, you may have to take the unit apart, clean with denatured or 99% isopropyl alcohol with a foam Q-tip type cleaner. A cotton Q-tip will work, but make sure you leave no fibers. Keep the Q-tip fairly dry, so you don't drip any alcohol on the laser slide and wash off the lubricant.

It is always risky to clean a DVD laser. Most manufactures recommend against it. Look at it this way, if the drive doesn't work, you are no worse off. If it's under warranty, exchange it instead.