Ok I was very thriled to find a 4400 telescope for $20.00 at the flea market after spending several weeks looking on craigs list for one on the $500.00 range. the problem I quickly discovered was it was left out and the primary mirror is very dirty along with about everything else. being a newbie I am anctious to use it right away but dont know a thing about cleaning. so does anyone know any good ideas for cleaning it myself or send it away?  thanks for your time  D White  atserv1@verizon.net

Mirror cleaning is relatively simple. All that is need is a little mild dish sope and water.

First blow off any loose particals of dirt and dust.  Then place the mirror under running water. In the sink or outside using a water hose.  Let it rinse thoroughly washing away the majority of gunk build up.  Then with a little dish liquid on you finger tips, gently rub the soap around removing any further grime.  Preferably with surgical gloves on so you don't get the corrosive oils of your fingers on the mirrored surface.  What I do next is to rinse it off with Distilled water and use a blow drier to blow the remaining water drops off.  This way you won't get water spots left behind on the mirror.

You can also refer to this web site.

http://arksky.org/asoclean.htm

Have A Nice __________ 

Yes you can clean the mirrors yourself.

Remove the primary and seconday mirrors from their cells, or holders.  Using a can off air gently spray off any large bits of grit while holding the mirrors at an angle.  You then will wash the mirrors in a very mild mix of dish soap, just a few drops will do with a full sink.  As a warning of course, clean the sink first so it is spotless and you a dish soap that contains no additives.  You can let the mirrors soak for awhile.  Use a lukewarm water mix.  After ten minutes or so rinse the mirrors with tap water letting the water pressure do all the work.  If necissary one can use some cotton wadding (balls) and VERY GENTLY use very short strokes radiating from the center outwards to remove a stubborn stain but do this only as little as possible and not at all if you can avoid it.  Then rinse both mirrors in distilled water.  Use an entire gallon.  Prop up the mirrors on their side to avoid spots and and you will be good to go.

If the mirror is not shiny and clear after this then you might have to consider getting it professionally recoated.  In any case keep your mirror clean by covering both ends of the tube and the drawtube as well.  Simple shower caps will suffice.  One should not have to do much more than blow off some dust for several years until the next cleaning.

L