If your MLOK weapon light has a glass lens that is removable and field serviceable, like the Cloud Defensive REIN, here’s some good news. You can clean and even replace the lens at home with basic tools, without the need to send it in for service.If your MLOK weapon light has a glass lens that is removable and field serviceable, like the Cloud Defensive REIN, here’s some good news. You can clean and even replace the lens at home with basic tools, without the need to send it in for service.
That’s one of the reasons the REIN was designed the way it was. The team at Cloud Defensive kept the needs of shooters in mind, in order to deliver an MLOK weapon light that was practical as well as easier to service.
Now, over time, repeated muzzle blasts and prolonged use may result in a buildup of carbon fouling on the lens of the REIN (or any other weapon-mounted light, for that matter), which will significantly impede focus and functionality. Even a nominal amount of fouling on the lens will diminish output and hamper your ability to see in adverse conditions, which is dangerous and unacceptable.
Luckily, the REIN can be field serviced and the lens cap can be easily cleaned or even replaced. Here are a few tips and tricks on how to bring your REIN’s lens back to like-new condition.
1. Rubbing alcohol may do the trick
For light powder fouling or residue that leaves just a hint of off-colored cloudiness on the lens, a drop of rubbing alcohol may actually do the trick, without requiring you to reach for heavy-duty solvents.
Just dab a cotton or microfiber rag in rubbing alcohol or deposit a drop on the lens and gently wipe the lens in a circular motion. This quick technique may even be effective at helping to remove fouling without needing to remove the lens.
2. Use bore solvent on the removed lens
If the fouling is a little too much for good old rubbing alcohol to remove, a more powerful solvent like Hoppe’s No. 9 might be a little more suited to the task. While the REIN has a hard black nitride coating and is fully waterproof and sealed, removing the lens will make it easier for you to remove every smudge of fouling. Simply soak a patch in Hoppe’s, scrub the lens, rinse and dry it, and reassemble. It is worth noting that you should not pour the solvent directly on the lens. After cleaning the fouling off, be sure to rinse the lens off and clean any residual solvent from the lens.
3. A pencil eraser may take off light fouling
Some shooters have had a bit of luck brightening up their MLOK weapon lights with nothing but a pencil eraser and some tenacity. Simply rubbing the lens in a circular motion with a pencil eraser may help clear it up, and the eraser is perfect because it is so small. Once done, simply use some compressed air to blast away whatever remains behind the eraser.
Where Can I Get a Field-Serviceable MLOK Weapon Light?
If you’re looking for a high-output MLOK rail-mounted tactical lighting solution – especially one that’s field serviceable – it’s hard to do better than the Cloud Defensive REIN. With a 3mm thick, field serviceable lens, a nitride coating, and designed to be shockproof, it’s the ideal solution for dependability, hard use, and field serviceability.
You can learn more about the REIN – as well as their Torrent mounts (which allow for offset mounts) as well as their other weapon lights, the REIN Micro and OWL – at CloudDefensive.com. You can also reach them for assistance at [email protected].
