How absolutly critical is it to get every single speck off of the fresnel?
I see on mine, there appears to be a little black speck on the groove side that i cannot seem to get off and on the flat side there are 2 tiny scratches, not deep at all but visible if i tilt it at an angle located about 1 inch from the side. The black speck is right around the 2 tiny scratches.

Try especially to get the spec off.

What would you recommend trying to do to get it off?

You try a clean dry paintbrush?

yea, i went to lowes and bought the softest brush i could find and tried to comb it out. It just does not move at all.

This is on the 220mm fresnel

Get a qtip and alcohol and force the qtip down into the groove until you break it loose. Let the alcohol dry and brush the area with your brush.

That wont damage the lens?

Shouldn't.