the hydrogen peroxide and UV thing worked on a 28mm f2.8 i had from a thrift store in seattle. took like 3 rounds of 10 minute soaks before the haze fully cleared though. just dont scrub at it with anything rough or youll wreck the coating for sure. i used a microfiber cloth and some lens cleaning wipes after each soak.

Loctite fixed my creak issue too, and I haven't had a pedal come loose since switching over. Grease just makes them work themselves out, learned that the hard way on a group ride once.

That whole thing is just another example of people accidentally hurting things they actually care about because they want a nice moment without checking the science first lol. It's like how everyone started putting out bird feeders without realizing they were spreading avian diseases until the experts had to step in. Sometimes the most loving thing to do is just let nature do its thing, even if it doesn't make for a good photo op.