Cleaning the surface of the iPad using other than water?

Question

I have been using my iPad for about 4 days and have decided that a product like 'Gecko Guard' may be useful to prevent scratches.
The problem is that, having used the iPad, how to remove the finger grease that accumulates so that the guard will stay on the surface without air bubbles. Apple suggests water and a microfibre-type cloth. That will not remove the oily residue applied by fingers.
I am considering using my spectacles cleaner first, then using the water/cloth method followed by drying/polishing gently with a microfibre cloth.
I use OPSM cleaner and I was wondering if anything in this cleaner would cause a problem with the coating on the iPad's screen. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Apple state: " If your iPhone has an oleophobic coating on the screen (iPhone 3GS only), simply wipe your iPhone’s screen with a soft, lint-free cloth to remove oil left by your hands and face."
Here's the link: http://www.apple.com/iphone/how-to/index.html#basics.cleaning-iphone
If you follow the link at the bottom of the page to the Important Product Information Guide, it goes onto say the oleophobic coating may diminish over time...
Although this references the iPhone, the iPad has the same oleophobic coating, so a dry lint free cloth should be used to easily remove skin grease residue from the screen.
For previous non oleophobic screens, a lightly dampened cloth is recommended for cleaning the screen.
The change from a slightly damp to a dry lint free cloth would suggest you should keep moisture away from oleophobic coatings.
Having never cleaned an astronomical lens or mirror, I have absolutely no idea what the manufacturers of these things recommend for cleaning purposes, but unless the unit the lens and/ or mirror is waterproof, I would be dubious about throwing buckets of water (or even using water) to clean such specialised and expensive pieces of kit unless the manufacturer recommends the use of water for cleaning purposes.
I use Leica lenses amongst other Pro level Canon / Nikon lenses in my photography, water doesn't get anywhere near them unless they are housed in a specialised waterproof enclosure. The slightest gap around the lens fittings/ lens tubes would allow moisture in. Moisture within a closed lens system = contamination = fungal growth = eventually a useless lens.
But hey that's just my recommendation Mr. Brewer.