Hi!

I thought I'd pick up a cheap 1272 closeby and familiarize myself with the basics of CRT projectors before moving onto anything more elaborate - or expensive.

I've just gotten it basically in place and have a lot more work to do, but I noticed that the lenses have this kind of purple-and-gray soapy-looking exterior. I wet the edge of a little microfiber cloth and dabbed gently around the edges and that didn't seem to have any effect.

Is this some kind of oil or residue that can be cleaned off, or is some kind of coating peeling away and it's best left alone?

Thanks!

I think I know what your talking about and that soapy looking residue is probably what is left of your anti reflective coating.

I have a very old zenith that had most of it scrubbed off. What was left kinda gave that blotchy soapy look.(Should look like purple or redish areas)

Now if it doesn't look like what I just described then maybe you can clean it off. I've used a micro fibre cloth and a lot of TIME being gentle and always turning the cloth so that your never grinding dirt in. But some one else can probably suggest something better. And then tell me how bad micro fibre cloth is for that coating :P

Cheers,
Rudy


P.S. Ha I must have not read your post right. Cause you already tried micro cloth. And yea its most likely what is left of the Anti reflective coating. For a novice such as youreself. No biggie. You wont notice the reflection and will still think the PJ is excellent.
Because it is. (I have the same one)

Sounds like someone used an ammonia based cleaner and destroyed the coating.
My 3 year old "cleaned" my Sony lens for me and i got them back to a nearly new looking shape.

First you want to take off the lenses "you don't want ANY thing dripping on the power supply boards.
Take the front lens off by unscrewing the small studs that the wing nuts screw on to. Place the three front lenses face up and you poor! rubbing alcohol on the lens and with a cotton ball rub the lens in a circular motion starting in the center keeping the lens wet by adding more alcohol do this for about three min. let the lens dry for a few min you will see the lens start to look bad again at this point test a small spot to see if it's like a stiff wax.
Once the texture is right it will buff smooth. Don't over buff, once an area looks ok leave it alone. Let it dry over night an re assemble. Use a good buffing cloth.