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Old January 18, 2017, 12:33 PM   #1
mossyoakglock
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Leupold scope - what is this on the outside?

Has anybody had this happen with a Leupold scope? It's like a film on the exterior of the scope. It's not condensation because it is always there and doesn't go away with temp changes.

It's there whether it's 70* or 10*. It functions properly and sights in fine but I've never seen this before. I have 3 other Leupolds and they haven't done this.

It almost looks like greasy fingerprints but it's definitely not that. I attached two pictures also.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Leupold Scope 1.jpg (59.1 KB, 248 views)
File Type: jpg Leupold Scope 2.jpg (166.5 KB, 196 views)
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Old January 18, 2017, 12:50 PM   #2
Doyle
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Possibly residue from a spray gun oil? Try wiping down a small section with a q-tip wetted with rubbing alcohol.
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Old January 18, 2017, 01:10 PM   #3
BumbleBug
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I agree with Doyle. It looks like a reaction to one of the chemicals used to clean your gun. I would be particularly suspicious of bore cleaners that use ammonia.
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Old January 18, 2017, 02:49 PM   #4
NoSecondBest
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I agree with the posts above. Something used to clean the gun.
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Old January 18, 2017, 03:09 PM   #5
mossyoakglock
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It's not residue from gun cleaning oil since I don't use a spray and never get anything on my scopes or clean my scopes with any sort of gun cleaner. I also clean the gun with the scope up so nothing could possibly drip on the scope.

If they are dirty I will take a microfiber or terry cloth and wipe it down. Might even put a little split of water on a corner to wipe away anything stuck.

I'll try rubbing alcohol with a q-tip on a small section and see what happens.

Last edited by mossyoakglock; January 18, 2017 at 03:14 PM.
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Old January 18, 2017, 05:22 PM   #6
Jimro
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I think it is an oil or grease left over from the manufacturing process. It won't hurt anything, but it might be a tad unsightly to some.

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Old January 18, 2017, 05:30 PM   #7
AK103K
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Do you smoke, and a lot?

I ran into something that looks very similar to that with a relatives gun that was kept in a room where he smoked like a chimney.

When it came my way, I had a hell of a time getting it (what I believe is/was nicotine) off the scope.
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Old January 18, 2017, 05:36 PM   #8
Smoke & Recoil
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Looks to me like silicone based grease...possibly used during the assembly process of the scope. Might try a petroleum based cleaner.
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Old January 18, 2017, 07:15 PM   #9
CarJunkieLS1
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Do you hunt with the rifle? I've seen something similar to that when some of the "scent killer" spray or "doe pee" spray got onto a buddies rifle. He used a rag with rubbing alcohol on it to get the residue off.
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Old January 18, 2017, 08:30 PM   #10
FrankenMauser
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I'd say it's contamination from cleaning; or contamination that was inside the bag when the scope initially shipped from the factory.
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Old January 18, 2017, 09:39 PM   #11
reynolds357
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You or Leupold got some sort of petroleum on it. Clean it with ethanol. The kind from the hardware store works best, but moonshine works well too.
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Old January 19, 2017, 02:22 PM   #12
mossyoakglock
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Thanks, everyone. I will try the cleaners.

It's definitely not nicotine as nobody in my family smokes and neither does any of my friends or anybody I hunt with.

I do hunt with the rifle but I know it is not overspray from the scent killer. The rifle is usually the last thing I take out before I walk to the stand and always stand about a ways away from my truck since I don't want the spray to accidentally get on my truck.

It's not contamination from cleaning since I don't use any spray cleaner or oil when cleaning my guns. I'm careful to not splatter any cleaning oils everywhere. I'm leaning towards grease from the manufacturing process.

Thanks, again! I wasn't sure if this was an indication that something is wrong with the scope even though it functions great (no fogging, etc).
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Old January 19, 2017, 05:39 PM   #13
fourbore
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I have got remoil spray on my leupolds without a problem. Like liquids make good cleaners. That might be a simple thing to try, wipe gun oil with a rag.

While I have no first hand experience with this problem, I expect the Leupold lifetime warranty will cover this.
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Old January 19, 2017, 07:33 PM   #14
wild willy
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What Smoke and Recoil said I've seen it before on scopes and binoculars.Usually you clean it off once or twice you never see it again.
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Old February 2, 2017, 06:29 PM   #15
rootie3
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dirty scope

I agree with the above answers... CLEAN the scope with alcohol and a clean rag. It's definately not condensation!

Larry
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