Borescope Maintenance Tips to Extend Tool Life
A professional borescope isn’t just another line item in the tool budget—it’s a precision instrument that directly affects inspection quality, safety, and downtime. Whether you’re working in aviation, power generation, manufacturing, or heavy industry, a well-maintained borescope will pay for itself many times over in reliable performance and longer service life.
The good news? Most borescope failures are preventable with simple habits that don’t add much time to the job.
Handle and store your borescope like an instrument, not a cable
Avoid sharp bends and kinks
The insertion tube looks tough, but inside are delicate optics, wiring, and articulation cables. To protect them:
- Never coil the probe tighter than the manufacturer’s minimum bend radius.
- Avoid “figure-eight” tangles or sharp twists in the tube.
- Don’t use the probe to pull, drag, or lift anything inside the inspection area.
A single severe kink can permanently damage the internal stack-up and shorten the life of the entire system.
Use proper storage
When the job is done, don’t throw the borescope into a toolbox or leave it on a bench. Instead:
- Store the system in its dedicated case or on a proper rack.
- Make sure the probe is loosely coiled, not crushed under other tools.
- Keep the case dry and free from chemical fumes or excessive heat.
Good storage habits protect against accidental impacts and environmental damage between jobs.
Build a quick pre- and post-use check routine
Pre-use: 60 seconds that can save an entire shift
Before inserting the scope, make a quick visual and functional check:
- Probe and sheath: Look for cuts, bulges, flat spots, or abrasions.
- Articulation: Flex the tip in all directions—does it move smoothly and hold position?
- Image and lighting: Confirm a clear picture and responsive brightness control.
- Power and storage: Check battery level and available memory.
Catching a problem here is much better than discovering it halfway through a critical inspection.
Post-use: confirm nothing has changed
After the inspection, repeat a short version of the same check:
- Did articulation feel different during the job?
- Any new scuffs or marks on the sheath?
- Is there any fogging, moisture, or contamination visible at the tip?
If something seems off, tag the borescope and schedule a professional evaluation rather than hoping the problem will “sort itself out” on the next job. Inspection equipment services can often repair minor issues before they become major failures.
Clean carefully to protect optics and articulation

Use the right cleaning materials
Improvised cleaning is one of the most common causes of gradual damage. To avoid scratching lenses or degrading seals:
- Use non-abrasive, lint-free wipes recommended for optics.
- Avoid harsh solvents or chemicals that aren’t explicitly approved.
- Never use scouring pads, paper towels, or gritty cloths on the lens.
A tiny scratch on the lens can show up as a permanent blur or flare in every image.
Pay attention to the articulation section
The articulated tip and the flexible segment just behind it deserve extra care:
- Wipe away residue and debris gently, not aggressively.
- Make sure contaminants like oil, fuel, or coolant are removed promptly.
- Allow the area to dry before coiling the probe or closing it in a case.
Keeping contaminants away from joints and seals helps articulation stay smooth and responsive over many more inspection cycles.
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Protect your borescope from the environment it works in
Respect temperature and chemical limits
Borescopes are often used in hot, dirty, and chemically aggressive environments—but only within defined limits. To avoid premature failure:
- Let hot components cool to a safe temperature before inserting the probe.
- Check compatibility with any fluids or chemicals the probe may contact.
- Use protective sleeves or accessories where appropriate.
Operating outside rated limits may not only damage the tool; it can also void warranties and complicate future repairs.
Avoid accidental impact and crushing
It sounds obvious, but many failures come from simple handling accidents:
- Don’t close doors, panels, or access covers on the probe.
- Keep the case out of walkways and traffic areas.
- Don’t rest heavy components or tools on the insertion tube.
A short safety briefing for new users can prevent a surprising amount of avoidable damage.
Create a simple inspection and service schedule
Periodic in-house checks
Beyond daily use, it helps to schedule periodic deeper checks—monthly or quarterly, depending on how heavily the borescope is used:
- Inspect the full length of the probe sheath for wear patterns.
- Check connectors and cables for looseness or damage.
- Review image quality against reference shots from when the scope was new.
If you notice a gradual decline in performance, plan a professional evaluation before the tool fails at a critical moment.
Professional maintenance and repair
For high-value systems, especially those used in aviation, power generation, or other safety-critical work, a relationship with a specialist service provider is essential. Regular professional inspection, calibration, and repair extend tool life and help you avoid unplanned downtime or rushed replacement purchases when things go wrong. Organizations across different industries often build this kind of service into their standard maintenance planning.
Train your team to think “long life” instead of “use and replace”

Even the best maintenance plan fails if only one person knows about it. To protect your investment:
- Include borescope care in technician onboarding and refresher training.
- Share simple “do” and “don’t” checklists near storage areas.
- Encourage staff to report small issues early instead of working around them.
A shared understanding that the borescope is an instrument—not a disposable gadget—goes a long way toward extending tool life and improving inspection consistency.
Partnering with a specialist to maximise borescope life
Extending borescope life isn’t just about avoiding damage—it’s about having the right tools, the right support, and the right habits across your team. That’s where working with a dedicated remote visual inspection specialist can make a real difference.
USA Borescopes focuses specifically on borescopes, videoscopes, and related inspection equipment, drawing on experience across aviation, power generation, manufacturing, and other demanding sectors. Their background and approach to long-term equipment care are outlined on their About Us page, and inform how they help organizations choose, protect, and support their tools over many inspection cycles.
If you want to review your current borescope practices, plan a maintenance strategy, or get expert advice on repair, replacement, or fleet upgrades, it’s worth speaking with a team that lives and breathes remote visual inspection. To discuss your specific environment and get practical guidance on extending tool life, contact USA Borescopes and connect with their specialists.
About the Author
This guest article was written by a technical content writer specialising in inspection and maintenance workflows. They work with industrial equipment suppliers and service organizations to turn real-world field experience into clear, practical guidance that helps technicians and managers protect their tools, reduce downtime, and get more value from every inspection.