Color cameras are fitted with an IR cutoff filter camera glass to improve the color reproduction of the camera and protect the sensor. Monochrome cameras are fitted with a clear camera glass. Dust on the camera glass, as well as on the sensor cover glass, can impair the camera’s image quality. Every time you handle the camera without a lens or dust cap attached, make sure that the camera is pointing down to reduce the likelihood of dust reaching the camera glass.


Caution: Removing the camera glass increases the probability of contaminating the sensor cover glass and hence, the image sensor. Furthermore, incorrect cleaning can damage camera components.


Camera and sensor glass cleaning procedure


1. Perform all cleaning operations under clean-room conditions only, in a clean room environment that is dust-free. Both the protective camera glass and the sensor cover glass are fragile, so it is important to avoid touching either one with your fingers or any hard material.

2. Before cleaning, unplug the camera or disconnect its power supply. After cleaning procedure, make sure that the cleaning material has evaporated before you reconnect or power up the camera.

3. Carefully apply puffs of dry, compressed air at an operating distance from 5 to 30 cm to remove dust particles and dirt off the center of the glass. Using ionized air might help to remove any dirt stuck to the surface because of static electricity. Use compressed air or an air blower only if you are familiar with cleaning a camera or a sensor glass with this instrument. Compressed air may push dust into the camera. Keep the pressure at a moderate strength only.

4. Hold the camera away from your body to avoid falling particles like flakes from skin on the camera or the sensor glass. Hold the camera sensor diagonally upwards. 

5. Wipe a swab moistened with reagent-grade isopropyl alcohol along the length of the glass surface in smooth movements. The swab should be damp but not dripping. Do not press hard on the glass surface or rub repeatedly in one spot. If pooling or streaks occur, you may have too much solution on the swab. Wait for solution to dry on the camera or the sensor glass and repeat this procedure using a new swab.

6. When you have finished cleaning, examine the surface in a strong light. Take an out-of-focus picture of a flat, illuminated surface to see if any dirt or dust remains.

7. If dust spots remain, repeat this procedure using a new swab. If contamination still remains after cleaning the glass surface twice, it is possible the dirt is underneath the camera glass. In this event, please contact [email protected].


Caution


- Do not clean the camera or sensor glass mechanically since too much pressure can break the glass and damage the sensor. 

- Avoid cleaning the surface of the image sensor.

- Do not use solvents, thinners or acetone to clean the camera or the sensor glass. They can damage the surface.

- Never wipe the camera or the sensor glass with dry swabs - doing so may scratch the glass.

- Do not use any disposable cotton cosmetic swabs since they are not free from contamination.

- When attaching the lens, clean the lens first to prevent dust from the lens from contaminating the camera glass.