Never had salt water on my front element, but whatever else ive gotten onto it, http://lensclens.com/ has taken care of it.
i use the no1 solution, but don't get it on plastic - i haven't tried getting it on plastic but they do strongly say that its not good to get on plastic.

Nice that it worked out for you.

soap said:
Sea salt is ~24 times more soluble in water than in methanol, combine that with quick evaporation and you are likely to end up replacing spots with a film.

I'd go the distilled water route first, no rubbing, just laying a damp microfiber cloth over the salt, rinse, repeat two or three times to get the majority off. Only after the vast bulk of the material is gone would I go to alcohol and a rub.

Normally we (camera users) need to use a cleaning solution which serves to aid in the mechanical removal of debris. This greatly greatly reduces lens element abrasion, but does not eliminate it (even if the abrasion is invisible it is accumulating). With salt, though, you can take advantage of its chemical properties and dissolve the vast majority of it, ensuing zero wear on the lens.

I'd like to thank everyone for the advise. I actually went the route that Soap recommened. I cut a brand-new micro-fibre cloth circle that pretty much covered the front element (it is huge) and dripped distilled water on the center and let it wick down. After 5 minutes, I removed the micro-fiber cloth and dabbed the lens dry with a second sheet of the same material. That was it. Lens looks like right out of the box. No more IQ impediment. I am a happy guy again.

nau said:
use methanol or something ... it takes everything off and evaporates in no time

Sea salt is ~24 times more soluble in water than in methanol, combine that with quick evaporation and you are likely to end up replacing spots with a film.

I'd go the distilled water route first, no rubbing, just laying a damp microfiber cloth over the salt, rinse, repeat two or three times to get the majority off. Only after the vast bulk of the material is gone would I go to alcohol and a rub.

Normally we (camera users) need to use a cleaning solution which serves to aid in the mechanical removal of debris. This greatly greatly reduces lens element abrasion, but does not eliminate it (even if the abrasion is invisible it is accumulating). With salt, though, you can take advantage of its chemical properties and dissolve the vast majority of it, ensuing zero wear on the lens.

best solution, send it back to Nikon for a check :)

A good cleaning solution and a clean micro fiber cloth.

as long as you dont scratch it u should be fine

use methanol or something ... it takes everything off and evaporates in no time

On a recent trip to the sea I was a little careless with my 14-24. I have dried saltwater spots on the front element, and it DOES affect the IQ, especially around highlights.
Would it be an acceptable idea to use demineralized water in a brand-new micro-fiber cloth, or am I risking damage to that huge front element? Whatever sits on the front element is almost in focus at the 14mm setting.