Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to clean my sensor with Sensor-Film?
This is hard to answer. All cleaning methods have some remaining risks. These are highest for all "wiping" cleaning methods because there is the risk of scratching the surface and scratches cannot be removed. With all other cleaning methods you have the chance to fix it if something goes wrong as long as the cleaning liquid is not aggressive to the coating. Sensor-Film has the chemical potential of water. It is not aggressive and you cannot produce scratches. In this sense it is the safest cleaning method you can imagine.

I have used Sensor-Film and I can still see a few dust spots in my pictures. What can I do?
What the first cleaning with Sensor-Film could not remove, the second cleaning will not do it either. It could be a dust particle which is not dissolvable in water. Try to dissolve the dust spot in alcohol and remove the remnants with a further Sensor-Film cleaning.
It could also be dust which is between the sensor and the filter or a coating failure. Then you can't do anything against it.

I have remnants on my sensor from a prior alcohol cleaning. Will Sensor-Film remove them?
As long as the remnants are dissolvable in water it will work. In 95% of all cases the alcohol remnants will be gone.

I wanted to blow out my camera and I have accidentally spit on the sensor. Alcohol cannot remove the spot. Will Sensor-Film work?
Yes, because it's dissolvable in water.

Doesn't the sensor filter get electrically charged when I remove the foil?
Several test have been made and there's no hint that the sensor surface becomes charged.

I tried to peel off the film but it was not completely dried. Now parts of the film are still on my sensor.
Just redo the cleaning. The new Sensor-Film will absorb the old one.

What’s the difference between normal Sensor-Film and fluoride?
Sensors with fluoride coating are hydrophobic and normal Sensor-Film tends to roll off. Sensor-Film fluoride is stickier and stays where you paint it on. This is why you should not use it on normal sensors because you could have problems to remove it.

I have an XYZ DSLR. Can I clean it with Sensor-Film?
I could not find a DSLR on the market which had problems with Sensor-Film. It's safe on the new antistatic ITO coatings and on cameras with ultrasonic wave filter (Canon 400D, Sony A100, Pentax K100D...).  Whether you need normal or fluoride depends on your camera model. Consult your manual for fluoride coatings or look at this list .

What kind of brush should I use?
There is no special requirement on the brush. It should be soft and small enough for accurate painting.

Can I accelerate the drying process with a hair dryer for example?
Yes you can, but you have to be very careful and it's not recommended. While you heat up the liquid Sensor-Film its viscosity decreases and the adherence of the film to the filter surface increases.

I'm a bit concerned about your warning using Sensor-Film on scratched sensors. How dramatic is this effect?
Here you can see an animated gif before and after cleaning at aperture f=64 (50% crop and same level adjustment applied). It won't be relevant for normal photography but you can verify it.

I've lost the paper I got with my Sensor-Film. What can I use now?
Other paper sorts work fine too. The paper should be tear proof, absorbent, not too thick (to lower the risk for the shutter) and should not contain water solvable substances (they could produce remnants on the surface). Just test your paper on a photo filter and you will see if it works.

That is the scariest cleaning method I've ever heard of. Are you joking?
No, I'm not. In science and for cleaning laser optics the cleaning method with polymers is quite common. The difference is that there the liquid is based on acetone and that would be too dangerous to use in a DSLR. For this reason I developed a solution which is water based and easier to handle.

I purchased the Sensor-Film pellets and want to dissolve them now. Can I use the microwave to heat up the water too?
You can, but it is not recommended. The small volume of water boils within a few seconds and then you have Sensor-Film everywhere except in the glass.

Is Sensor-Film hazardous?
No, it's absolutely non-hazardous, non-toxic, and does not burn in its liquid phase.

Can I clean my mirror with Sensor-Film?
Yes you can, but it's difficult. The mirror has a hydrophobic coating so it's hard to get a continuous film. You have to apply it several times. It is not recommended.

I didn't wash my brush after using Sensor-Film, now the brush is dry and hard.
Put your brush in warm water for a few minutes and it will get soft again.