Photonic Cleaning Technologies' First Contact polymer film provides a non-toxic, inert polymer film designed to remove dust, fingerprints, residues and other contamination from delicate, sensitive, and precision surfaces without scratching or damaging them in any way.
First Contact polymer film also protects optics from physical and chemical damage in assembly, shipping and storage. Developed at a leading United States university, First Contact is the perfect product for removing surface contamination from delicate optical components like front surface mirrors on telescopes, scientific instruments, projectors, etc., as well as diffraction gratings, phase masks, pinholes, metal surfaces and even diamonds.
The Hope Diamond, arguably the most famous jewel in the world, has successfully had the First Contact treatment, along with other exquisite gems at the National Gem and Mineral Collection in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. NASA, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Lawrence Livermore, Scandia and Los Almos laboratories, MIT and Harvard University are among the many other satisfied customers to have used the formula.
Once applied by a brush kit or spray application, First Contact forms a protective coating that adheres tightly to the surface, providing an effective water-tight barrier against grease, particles, and vapour. The polymer film is also ideal for protecting surfaces during shipping or for storage. Drying time depends on the size of the surface and can take from 15-20 minutes, to several hours for larger optics. However, once dry the flexible coating comes off easily using special lint-free peel tabs at the film edge, removing dust and other tiny particles to leave an amazingly clean surface.
Astronomer Chris Nuttall from York used the spray application to clean an 8-inch diameter first surface mirror on his telescope and was delighted with the end result.
He said: 'The surface is made of aluminum which is very delicate and there is a danger of scratching. That’s the great thing about First Contact Polymer Solutions. The solution is sprayed on and when the dry, the film lifted cleanly away using the lint-free tab, removing all the dust and particles, and without breaking or tearing so there is no physical touching of the mirror surface.'
Chris added: 'First Contact is far superior to anything else I have tried and I would recommend it to other people.' This remarkable cleaning solution is proving a huge success in America and the product is already being equally well received in the UK. First Contact solutions are flammable and should be used only with adequate ventilation and with protective outer garments. This product should not be used on plastics.
First Contact is distributed in the UK and Ireland by Photonics & Analytical Marketing