Van Guard 1200CM Series, Operation Manual

15

Maintenance

For information about parts, accessories, or service -- contact your dealer directly or contact VanGuard 

Microscopes at 1-800-423-8842.

The eyepieces and objectives on VanGuard Microscopes are coated. They should never be wiped while dry as 

any dirt or dust will scratch the coating. The surfaces should either be blown off with an air canister, or blown 

and cleaned with an air-bulb and camel-hair brush. It is recommended to then use a lens cleaner. 

Never use 

anything other than lens cleaner on any optical component.

 Apply with a cotton swab for a minimum of 

wetting, then wipe the surface clean with a quality lens tissue. These items are all available in our cleaning 

kit, see page 4 for ordering information.
The same care instructions apply to all optical parts on this VanGuard Microscope, including the substage 

collector and the condenser lenses.
All other parts can be cleaned with a paper towel and rubbing alcohol.  Be aware that rubbing alcohol can 

break down lubricants, so be careful when cleaning near the following parts:

Stage rack and pinion gears

Focus controls

Nosepiece

Substage gears

Substage controls

Xylene, since it breaks down the bonding material holding the lenses, should never be used as a cleaner.  

Periodically your VanGuard Microscope should be fully serviced by a qualified service technician.  
In order to keep dust and debris out of the optical pathways, always keep the camera port and eyetubes 

covered (with either eyepieces or dust caps), and always use the dust cover when the microscope is not in use.

Caring for your 1200CM Microscope

1

2 

5

4

3

6

All Models