Cleaning DLP Actuator

[Aikouka]

Well, I'd search this up on Google, but given the term "actuator" can mean a heck of a lot more, I didn't have much luck. Heck, it might not even be the right term, but that's what the instructions called it...

But anyway, the piece is the lens that the final picture travels through before it goes onto the screen. When I was replacing my DMD Panel on my DLP, I spent awhile fidgeting with that lens's shroud (I foolishly misplaced my long-neck screwdriver ). But I ended up getting some dust on the lens... not so good. I used one of those Bausch and Lomb lense cleaning wipes to try and clean it off, but it doesn't seem to have done the best job.

When I watch TV on dark scenes, I can notice about 3 sort of opaque dots on my screen... where one of them is a tad bit more noticeable than the rest. I'm assuming this was caused by a bad cleaning job, so I was wondering what solution would be the best to clean that lens? I believe said Bausch and Lomb wipes use isopropyl alcohol.

 

[nsafreak]

Actually what you're referring to is commonly known as the DLP light tunnel or the DLP light engine. Whether or not cleaning it the way you did is recommended or not though I'm not sure.

 

[Aikouka]

Well, that name makes a bit more sense since it's certainly not an actuator. Maybe I need to use something designed to clean glass rather than "plastics" ( I don't think polycarbonates are really plastic, but what do I know ) that typically make up the lenses in glasses or computer screens.

 

[Fallen Kell]

Microfibre cloths to the rescue....

That said, DO NOT USE ANY CLEANING SOLUTION ON THE LENS! Simply use a clean microfibre cloth or a light passover with compresses air to move any dust particles that might be on the lens. Most lenses have a layer of coating applied to them to correct imperfections with the light/brightness. If you rub that layer off, you will need to get a new lens for your make/model which can be hard to find on it's own, and may force you to purchase the entire light engine which will be a lot more expensive than the lens.

Also, do not hold me responsible for any damage done to your TV if you follow my advise. This is a delicate item, which does not react well to being handled.

 

[Aikouka]

Microfibre cloths to the rescue....

Thanks for the advice... I'll give this a try once I get my PS3 back up and running... my table is a bit cluttered with that stuff at the moment .

Could those bright spots actually be caused by that coating being removed? I kind of doubt it is, because the spots are circular and you'd expect them to be more "streak-like" (or at least not a perfect shape) if it was a coating being rubbed off.