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DUST-AID is an adhesive based digital single lens reflex camera sensor cleaner. It was developed and tested over a sixteen month period using scientific lab testing and real world usage.

Cleaning one’s sensor is a scary and daunting task even for photo professionals. DUST-AID was developed to be an easy to use, safe option that will help even the novice, non-technical shooter clean dust off of their sensor.

DUST-AID is comprised into three main elements, the foam tape, the pad and the wand. Please click the links above to read more about these parts.

DUST-AID Points of Interest
• 12 ultra low tack sterile adhesive foam tapes.
• 1 reusable wand in each package.
• FTIR tested and passed contamination analyses.
• Safe for airline security and traveling.
• One size fits all current models of DSLR sensors.
• Does not swipe across the sensor.
• Tin packaging that protects and can be reused.
• Developed by a photographer.

The DUST-AID foam tape is actually a blend of three different layers, tested and designed to protect the sensor filter during dust removal. The tapes are manufactured within a “Clean Room”.

First Layer
The first layer is a clear medium tack removable adhesive tape that is inset from the sides of the foam. The reason for doing this is to make sure no adhesive contamination occurs during the cutting of the foam. This removable adhesive holds the foam to the application wand base.

Second Layer
The second layer is a soft black foam that acts like a shock absorber which helps to cushion the process of applying the tape to the sensor.

Third Layer
This layer is where all the magic happens. This ultra low tack cleaning tape has been specifically designed for glass and plastic applications and has been formulated to leave no residue. The adhesion level is one of the lightest tack levels that can be found on the planet. This adhesive has been FTIR tested, which showed no residue contamination after application. In other words, you can hardly even feel the tack on this tape, it’s that light. But, it still has holding power when the entire adhesive is in contact with a surface. When releasing the adhesion with the wand, make sure to lean the wand to one side to horizontally release the bond, never lift straight up. It takes a half to a third less effort to release horizontally than vertically.

This tape is thermally bonded to the bottom of the foam which eliminates the need for adhesive to hold the back of the tape to the foam. This eliminates the possibility of adhesive contamination when the pad is cut to form the foam tape shape and when it’s applied to the sensor filter.

This lamination is currently patent pending.

Each DUST-AID kit contains one DUST-AID pad. The DUST-AID pad is a grouping of 12 foam tapes, contained within a resealable plastic bag. Two rows of six tapes, each tape comes with a tabbed release paper for easy wand application. The pads are prepared and sealed within a Clean Room.

The DUST-AID wand is designed to fit and clean every current DSLR sensor. Sized at 18.7mm x 12.7mm, the base of the DUST-AID wand covers any size sensor with just four applications. Simply apply the DUST-AID foam tape, line up a corner of the DUST-AID foam taped wand base to the corner of your sensor and gently touch down. Using the same DUST-AID foam tape, repeat the process with the other three sensor corners.

The finger grip was developed because it is very important to see all the sides of the base when applying the foam to the sensor filter. If you where to hold it from the stem, then your fingers would obstruct the view of the application process. By off-centering the fingers from the stem, one can see every corner of the wand base for exact sensor placement.

source dust-aid.com