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Cleaning Large Optics and First Surface Mirrors

Cleaning large telescope mirrors, or any large optic surface, is a difficult challenge. Photonic Cleaning Technologies conquers the challenge with Spray Formula First Contact ™ Polymer Solution.

A Touch-Free Cleaning and Protection System for Telescope Mirrors and Optics


  • Spray application allows for complete coverage of any size optic surface
  • Applies with a completely touch-free process. No wipes, and no chance of scratching the surface!
  • Adheres strongly to itself and particulate contaminants, but has minimal adhesion to the mirror’s surface
  • Protects the mirror - just leave the polymer film on for strong protection from water vapor, oxygen, and physical threats.
  • Re-contamination is not a problem when the cleaned mirror is recoated with First Contact.


First Contact Polymer was used to clean sections of the Gran Telescopio Canaris. Read the press release and check out the other testimonials.


Spray Application Notes

Spray Formula First Contact can be applied using manual pumps or pressure sprayers. There are three sprayer styles available: pump-style, trigger-style, and a heavy duty aluminum sprayer that can pressurized with either a portable bicycle tire pump or a compressor. Check out the basic information for pressure spray application in Technical Bulletin 141 – Spray Application Note. More information can be found by contacting vendors of HVLP coating equipment.


Some current customers using First Contact™ on large, unprotected mirrors

W.M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii at 14,000 ft atop Mauna Kea.
ESO La Silla
ITT, SLRSC Western Range Depot Optics Group, Vandenberg Air Force Base
First Contact is safe on fused silica, glass of all kinds, and crystals.
First Contact is the safest cleaning product and the only protective film that also cleans an optic.


Crystal Manor Observatory, Purcellville VA 20132

RC Optical Systems 24″ Primary Mirror

Before Coated After

Takahashi Wide Field
Before Coated After

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Red First Contact Regular All-Inclusive Kit Red First Contact Regular All-Inclusive Kit Red First Contact Deluxe All-Inclusive Kit
Our Red First Contact Regular All-Inclusive Kit contains 73ml of polymer and all the typical application and removal accessories into a "one click" kit for easy customer ordering. The kit includes:

1 x 15ml Red First Contact Polymer Applicator Bottle
2 x 29ml Red First Contact Polymer Refill Bottles
1 x 29ml Red Formula First Contact Thinner (for brush cleaning)
1 x FCB1 Fan Brush
1 x FCNet Chemically Inert Mesh (5 - 3" x 3" sheets)
1 x FCUF 12m Unwaxed Dental Floss
1 x FCPS Pipette Kit (5 pipettes)
30 Peel Tabs

Instructions

The kit contains enough polymer to clean up to 280in2 (1,800cm2, 1.9ft2) of surface area
 		Choose this item if you want $8.50 Flat Rate Shipping via FedEx Ground to the Lower 48 United States. Flat Rate Shipping will show as a shipping option during checkout. (Do Not combine Flat Rate Shipping items with other items or your shipping options at checkout will not display correctly)

Our Red First Contact Regular All-Inclusive Kit contains 73ml of polymer and all the typical application and removal accessories into a "one click" kit for easy customer ordering. The kit includes:
 		Our Red First Contact Deluxe All-Inclusive Kit contains even more polymer than our Regular All-Inclusive kit, and also the accessories you need to complete your cleaning application. The kit includes:

1 x 15ml Red First Contact Polymer Applicator Bottle
4 x 29ml Red First Contact Polymer Refill Bottles
1 x 29ml Red Formula First Contact Thinner (for brush cleaning)
1 x FCB1 Fan Brush
1 x FCNet Chemically Inert Mesh (5 - 3" x 3" sheets)
1 x FCUF 12m Unwaxed Dental Floss
1 x FCPS Pipette Kit (5 pipettes)
50 Peel Tabs

Instructions

The kit contains enough polymer to clean approximately 500in2 (3,200cm2, 3.4ft2) of surface area
Red First Contact Deluxe All-Inclusive Kit RSFCDA - Red Spray Deluxe Astronomy Kit (SCT Owners Read Description Carefully) Red Spray Deluxe Astronomy Kit - FLAT RATE SHIPPING $8.50
Choose this item if you want $8.50 Flat Rate Shipping via FedEx Ground to the Lower 48 United States. Flat Rate Shipping will show as a shipping option during checkout. (Do Not combine Flat Rate Shipping items with other items or your shipping options at checkout will not display correctly)

Our Red First Contact Deluxe All-Inclusive Kit contains even more polymer than our Regular All-Inclusive kit, and also the accessories you need to complete your cleaning application. The kit includes:

1 x 15ml Red First Contact Polymer Applicator Bottle
4 x 29ml Red First Contact Polymer Refill Bottles
1 x 29ml Red Formula First Contact Thinner (for brush cleaning)
1 x FCB1 Fan Brush
1 x FCNet Chemically Inert Mesh (5 - 3" x 3" sheets)
1 x FCUF 12m Unwaxed Dental Floss
1 x FCPS Pipette Kit (5 pipettes)
50 Peel Tabs

Instructions

The kit contains enough polymer to clean approximately 500in2 (3,200cm2, 3.4ft2) of surface area 		All in one kit for cleaning telescope mirrors up to 20" in size. Choose this item if you want $8.50 Flat Rate Shipping via FedEx Ground to the Lower 48 United States. Flat Rate Shipping will show as a shipping option during checkout. (Do Not combine Flat Rate Shipping items with other items or your shipping options at checkout will not display correctly)

Our Red Spray Deluxe Astronomy Kit contains sufficient polymer to clean approximately 300in2 (1,900cm2) of surface area and NON-SPRAY polymer to clean ~60in2 (380cm2) of surface area, and all the typical application and removal accessories into a "one click" kit for easy customer ordering. The kit includes:

1 x 15 ml Red First Contact Polymer applicator bottle
4 x 29 ml Red Spray First Contact Polymer bottles
1 x 29 ml Red First Contact Thinner bottle for cleaning spray heads
30 First Contact Polymer Peel Tabs
80 ml Spray Bottle
2 x 80 ml Spray Bottle spray heads
1 x 8 ml Pipette
3 pack of 3" x 3" chemically inert mesh (FCNet)
Small floss, 12 meters (FCUF)
12 mm Solo Fan Brush (FCB1)
RED1M - Red Spray First Contact 1-Meter Mirror Kit
URGENT - Click here: View HAZMAT Shipping Costs and Data


All items required to clean a 1-meter mirror (or smaller mirror multiple times)