Binocular cleaning

[Matt_IOM]

I have a pair of Swift Audubon MkII 8.5 x 44 Binoculars which are over 40 years old (they were my Grandpa's). They have started to get a build up of what looks like mold inside them and I am reluctant to try and open them up and clean them myself given their age. They are an absolutely cracking pair of Binoculars for birdwatching and I want to try and keep them in a good condition.

Is there any way of getting Binos cleaned professionally?

Best regards,
Matt.

[Jim Ford]

You must treat the mould - it can etch into the glass if left.

A google (lens fungus) throws up this site (amongst others):

Fungus and Camera Lenses

Here's a quote from the site:

"According to Leitz, a fungus treatment of 94% distilled water, 4% clear ammonia, and 2% hydrogen peroxide should be used. The lens element should be soaked in the mixture for an hour or more before cleaning."

Jim

[Meta menardi]

I have some bins from 1900, they were not working due to divergence. I sent them to firm called Monk Optics (have a Google). They adjusted them beautifully.
If you can find them (I did just do a search, they came up but I am not sure they still repair), they did my job well and affordably.

[Hobjob]

I had a pair of Barr and Strouds (old admiralty bins) that went out of alignment after a sill falling out of the rucksack

Viking optics got them re-set and cleaned for about 70 smackers - which is probably more than they were worth, but they get used daily by my son-in-law to assess ocean swell; he runs a whale watching business in S Africa!