Grease on an old microscope

I recently bought an old Reichert Zetaplan, where the focusing screw was so hard I had to use both hands to move it. However, using rather much of "sewing machine oil" It is now working fine.

Also the microscope was equipped with an Apochromat 45 /0.90 Korr with a correction ring that was stuck. I was able to unscrew the front lens, remove the correction ring and make it work (I have compared it with a another Reichert Iris 40 / 0.90 and the performance is rather similar).

The original grease was very hard and I replaced it with the "grease" used for lubricating a water-tap (gel-like in consistency and colour), since I was afraid any ordinary grease (e.g. the grease used for a fishing-reel) would sweat out to the glass surfaces. (I have successfully used this "water-tap grease" for a Nikon SLR lens focusing thread before, and this has worked fine for many years.)

But, now I'm a bit worried still if it was the right thing to do, can this special "grease" meant for a totally different purpose (heat and water persistent), destroy the lens surfaces or the cement holding the lenses together? Should I try to remove as much as possible of the new "lubricant".

Any other advises how to use (and add) grease & oil in a correct way to a microscope.

Thanks in advance

--
Trond
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Grease on an old microscope
    ... >of "sewing machine oil" It is now working fine. ... >correction ring that was stuck. ... >The original grease was very hard and I replaced it with the "grease" ... Try to get some Zeiss Uhrenol 46. ...
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    ... liquid polymer that you paint on, let it cure and then pull it off the lens in one piece, taking grease and dust with it. ...
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  • Re: Grease on an old microscope
    ... >"sewing machine oil" It is now working fine. ... > correction ring that was stuck. ... > The original grease was very hard and I replaced it with the "grease" used ... The brush should be a no. 2 short handled artist brush. ...
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  • Re: Grease on an old microscope
    ... Grainger sells this one for just $14.55 (of course, ... Do not put any grease on racks and pinions ... Preferably, clean with 70% Ethanol and use, as Kevin told you, a brush ... >> correction ring that was stuck. ...
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