Smudges ruining clarity

Apr 16, 2019
25
5
oklahoma
Any suggestions on how to get rid of the smudges on the outer glass as seen in the images. I have tried glass cleaner as well as alcohol. It makes the night view pretty bad. The camera is a Dahua bullet camera.
 

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How old is it?

I’ve recently replaced 2 that saw a lot of direct sunlight that were only 3-4 years old. The glass/poly is actually pitted like layers are degrading

Unless it’s moisture inside the poly cover, only thing you can do is replace those lens covers.
 
Any suggestions on how to get rid of the smudges on the outer glass as seen in the images. I have tried glass cleaner as well as alcohol. It makes the night view pretty bad. The camera is a Dahua bullet camera.

stop buying domes?
 
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Any suggestions on how to get rid of the smudges on the outer glass as seen in the images. I have tried glass cleaner as well as alcohol. It makes the night view pretty bad. The camera is a Dahua bullet camera.

Looks to be moisture buildup vs a smudge. I would open it up and see if you can wipe it off.

If you can, it’s probably a good idea to replace / recharge (dry out) the desiccant packs assuming there’s one inside.

Verify all the gaskets and seals are properly seated and tight. Apply some clear silicone around any areas you believe is an entry way for moisture etc.
 
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Cameras generally acquire and collect moisture inside them due to a process I call Thermal Differential Cycling.*

After being warmed up from the sun during the day, the camera case cools off as dusk approaches and it begins to draw in the moist, outside air. Where the pigtail enters the camera can be a definite point of ingress for this moisture. As the night progresses and the temp of the camera's case drops, that moisture condenses on the inside of the case, most noticeably on the inside of the lens. Then the sun comes up and begins to heat the case of the camera, the air inside begins to expand, pushing some air but little of the moisture out of the case...and the cycle starts all over again.

Opening the camera, drying it out and replacing the desiccant bags periodically may be a temporary fix and a more lasting solution is desirable. I suggest the following procedure to fix a chronically affected camera and help prevent future moisture intrusion is as follows:

Wait until the ambient relative humidity is at its lowest point. Chose the driest environment you can for this procedure; in other words, the bathroom after someone took a hot, steamy shower or the kitchen after or during the stove has cooked or boiled anything is NOT a good place. This will be the biggest challenge but is likely the best way to not trap moisture-laden air inside the cam before re-assembly. Late afternoon, outdoors, sunny, no rain for 24 hours and out of direct sun may be your best bet.

Open up the camera, noting how it is assembled and what gaskets and sealant rings are in place then dry it out. Soak up excess moisture with lint-free cotton rag, handkerchief, etc. Use a small hair dryer on low to assist with the drying out of the cam's interior but don't overheat any of the components.

IMPORTANT: Allow the camera to cool down to room temperature.

Replace the bag(s) of desiccant with new or dry. If you have no new bags, take the existing ones, place in a food dehydrator for 3 or 4 hours, or dry with hair dryer then bury in a cup of uncooked, instant rice for several hours to absorb moisture from the bag.

Reassemble the camera (DON'T FORGET THE BAG(S) OF DESICCANT), insuring gaskets and sealant rings are in place. VERY important: Insure that the pigtail cable entrance is sealed with non-gassing, outdoor-rated silicone sealant. If any gaskets or sealant rings are missing or damaged or the cable entrance is not sealed, you'll be wasting your time and moisture will be back in sooner than later. You should use clear, non-gassing outdoor-rated silicone sealant to caulk the mating surfaces before AND after re-assembly, including the pigtail cable entrance. Allow to dry overnight before placing back into service.

* Thermal Differential Cycling : the device heats up during day, air inside expands, cools off at night and contracts, drawing in damp outside air, condenses, travels to low point, is trapped and won't escape during warm up cycle, just continues to collect inside at low points.
-TonyR 2020
 
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Hopefully just moisture as @TonyR says above.

But if the poly is breaking down the lens cover is toast. It will get worse faster

Here I used a dab of goo be gone just to show l/highlight the separation. It’s actually pitted
(no I wouldn’t use that on a normal camera cover, just a wet paper towel is best)

IMG_6843.jpeg
 
I would hope that from this point forward no reputable camera maker would consider using anything but good old fashioned glass for the front, outside lens cover.....polycarbonate-based covers may be cheaper but they cannot withstand UV and smog for several years. :confused:
 
Hopefully just moisture as @TonyR says above.

But if the poly is breaking down the lens cover is toast. It will get worse faster

Here I used a dab of goo be gone just to show l/highlight the separation. It’s actually pitted
(no I wouldn’t use that on a normal camera cover, just a wet paper towel is best)

View attachment 200128
Unfortunately, it is not moisture on the inside, it is on the outside. So, I guess I deal with it till it's to bad and becomes unusable. Camera manufacturer's definitely need to figure out something else for the covers.
 
If it's polycarbonate there are plastic polishes out there that can be used to remove oxidation. The only factor to bear in mind is they are abrasive and will remove any kind of coating should one be present. Many are sold for polishing plastic car headlight lenses, mobile phone screens etc.
 
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I believe this is a layer of something peeling. It isnt fixable
 
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There are threads here of people going to a local glass shop and having a piece made and they replaced it themselves.
 
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