Tips on Cleaning Security Camera Housing Lenses?

[Carl]

I have an in-bay (auto bay) camera which after eight years has gotten "soap scum build-up" on its housing's lens to where the view is not as clear as we would like. Over time when we would wipe this off but someone used their fingernails, hidden behind a wet cloth to try and "scrape" that scum off this lens and over time this has made a lot of scratches on this lens' surface. (okay...it was me who did it, I know, LOL!)

What type of cleanser do you use to clean off such camera housing lenses? I am ordering a new housing/fan since this one is over eight-years-old now w/ the cooling/heating fan ailing anyhow, and I want to better maintain the new housing lens but wondered what you've found more easily keeps these things clean and lastly...how frequently do you wipe off these lenses? Probably just on an "as needed" basis or do you have this on a "maintenance cleaning schedule"?

Thanks so much! - Carl

 

[MEP001]

I use the Dow "scrubbing bubbles" bathroom cleaner and a soft terry cloth towel. I clean all the lenses about once a month.

 

[bighead]

I use the Dow "scrubbing bubbles" bathroom cleaner and a soft terry cloth towel. I clean all the lenses about once a month.

Yep, me too, but not quite as often...

 

[copperglobe]

What we do is for the cameras inside the SS bays is we finish off cleaning the bays with spraying spot free water on the cameras. Those cameras that are in other areas like the automatics we have a weed sprayer tank that we wander around spraying spot free water on them as well. Been doing this for several years. Can't remember the last time I climbed up and cleaned off a lens.

 

[MEP001]

Yep, me too, but not quite as often...

I have to that often - the one in the auto bay can go a lot longer, but the cameras in the SS bays get the most overspray and it's not something that comes off easily.

 

[txheat]

after one of my camera lense was cloudy and cannot be clean from IBA chemicals and dirt/oil flying off from the undercarriage. I replace the camera and cut up some of my old unuse screen/cell phone protector to fit the lense. the product is scratch proof and easy to clean. if does go bad i just replace the screen protector. havent replace any yet.
good quality screen protector i use was for my samsung epic was a from a company call Skinomi. this stuff is tuff. i think its made by 3m.

 

[Carl]

Great Ideas!

These are all great ideas to prolong the clarity and life of those in-bay lenses. Thanks so much, everyone! - Carl

 

[Greg Pack]

I have used Kleen wall in the past for an occasional cleaning. I wonder how those magic sponges would work?

 

[Swenny]

When I installed the cameras I put a glass sealant like aquapel or glare paint sealant (also good for glass) on it and it helps the lens clean up easier and stay clean longer.