How should you clean a studio light bulb after touching it?

Asked 11/14/2014

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Touching some studio light bulbs with bare skin can leave oils on the surface, which may cause problems at high operating temperatures. If a studio bulb has been touched accidentally, what is the proper way to clean it before using it again?

maintenance safety cleaning light-bulb studio-lighting

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

11y ago

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If the envelope of the bulb is glass or quartz and is not coated, near-pure alcohol and a lint-free cloth will do just fine.

I use Eclipse and Pec Pads because I have them handy, but ethanol, methanol or isopropanol will work. Small bottles can be had from anyplace that supplies industrial chemicals. Avoid what you find on the shelves a drug stores, as some of it contains small amounts of oil which will make the problem worse instead of better.

After cleaning, let the bulb sit in open air for 30-60 minutes to make sure all of the alcohol has evaporated.

Originally by user6508. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user6508

11y ago

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If the bulb’s outer envelope is plain glass or quartz and is not coated, wipe it with near-pure alcohol using a lint-free cloth. Suitable alcohols include isopropanol, ethanol, or methanol. Avoid low-purity rubbing alcohol that may contain oils or additives, since that can leave residue and make the problem worse. After cleaning, let the bulb sit in open air for 30–60 minutes so the alcohol fully evaporates before turning it on. Handle the bulb carefully and avoid touching the surface again.

How should you clean a studio light bulb after touching it?

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