Lens and Bubble cleaning

Does Arecont have any suggestions for cleaning products or methods for domes and lenses?

Cleaning a camera dome has become even more important with Megapixel cameras. Cameras require a clear dome to produce the best possible picture. Dirt and scratches can greatly reduce image quality and reflect light causing further distortion.

So what should you use to clean your security cameras?

Use cleaners that are specifically formulated to clean Polycarbonate and Lexan. There are several products on the market, two of them are Novus® and Brillianize®. Both of these products are made to clean and polish plastic. If you have a badly scratched or dirty camera dome the Novus product offers a three-step cleaning process that can get most camera domes optically clean and clear. You should always use a clean polishing cloth that has been dampened.

Will Windex or similar products damage the dome?

Polycarbonate and Lexan, although strong and scratch-resistant, are not scratch-proof and are very different from glass. Using a dry paper towel to remove dust can scratch the Lexan dome. Using any type of cleaner that is alcohol-based will damage the Lexan. While Windex and other common glass cleaning products may appear to clean the dome initially, these products will eventually cause the dome to develop a milky white appearance, ruining the dome.

Do not use Rain-X to clean security camera domes either.  Rain-X leaves an alcohol-based residue to resist water adhesion, which will also leave harmful deposits on the plastic camera dome.

Are there any devices available specifically made to help clean camera domes?

The camera housing company Dotworkz offers a really useful device for this purpose.

https://www.dotworkz.com/domecleanerpro/

This is a specialized dome cleaning cloth and fixture mounted on an extendable pole that can be used to clean domes without needing a lift or ladder to reach them.