mask fogging

[prospector]

I just bought a new bares mask a few months ago and regardless of much I wash it and put in anti fog drops-both sides it constantly fogs up. Water temp is 6-7 degrees-i thought it might be my toasty new 6mm oceaner wetsuit keeping me so warm but when I go back to my old mask all is well--anyone have any thoughts?

 

[Sharkatorium]

I think you should stop using anti fog drops and just use toothpaste. Apply a thin layer with your fingers 5 to 10 minutes before using and scrub it off and you should be good to go. Let me know if it helps.

 

[Simos]

It might still have the oily/waxy film on the inside or might be dirty? Wash it with warm water and soap, be careful not to touch the lenses with your fingers before diving. Also as mentioned above, you can scrab the inside with some toothpaste - toothpaste is abrasive so it will remove any film left or other particles stuck on the lense.

Personally I've had success with washing the mask with warm, soapy water after each diving session so that dirt etc don't get stuck onto it, drying it and storing it in its box. Be careful not to touch the lenses. Then I wash it again in the same way the day before the dive and a couple of hours before the dive, I give it a spray with anti-fog and leave it on the lenses to dry.

 

[FreeRestriction]

Ive kind of made peace with masks fogging up on me. Ive tried it all. Its a pain in the butt, but i just dunk my mask to clear the fog before every dive.

 

[cid]

cleaning the lenses with toothpaste has worked very well for me.
now only time I get fog is when I accidentally exhale though my nose (and therefore mask) rather than mouth.

 

[Simos]

I think one of the most important factors is for the mask lense to be clean.

Also you should try cooling your face before putting the mask on by immersing it in the water you'll be diving for a bit without the mask...

 

[EARL1220i]

try cooling your face first with the water then put toothpaste on your mask and leave it for a few min. then rinse thats should work

 

[Shark2307]

My Aqualung Mask had the same problem. My solution (that always works) in comparison to toothpaste (which didn't work in my case with this mask) ist to rub in just shower gel into the dry(mask!!!) mask, then before diving rinse mask with water and put it directly on. if not taken off the existing polar thin layer of soap keeps the mask clear.

 

[Mr. X]

Some new masks are worse than others - my Omer Alien was awful for ages but my Seacsub Combat mask was never much of a problem. It is supposed to be due to excess silicone sticking to the glass and/or "mould-release compound" not being properly cleaned off during manufacture. The traditional remedy is to clean with tooth paste - one of the white ones, like Colgate, and/or use a flame (lighter/match) *very carefully* to burn it off.

Neither seemed to make much difference on the Omer Alien (made in Taiwan) but perhaps I didn't do it enough; after a couple of years the problem just went away. I never had to do anything to the Seacsub mask (made in Italy) - it just worked out of the box (yes it came with a mask box too ).

Now I just rinse the mask in the sea then spit on each glass lens in the mask and rub that around, then I'm done. For a while, I sometimes coated the inside of the lenses with glycerine/glycerol while at home (also useful for lubing rubber O-ring seals on torches, etc.).

If none of the above work, might be worth trying detergent (e.g. washing up liquid), give the mask a good clean.

 

[prospector]

Thanks for all the replys and suggestions, yesterday I gave it a good scrub with colgate-then dove in and scrubbed the bottom of my boat-was in the water for 45 minutes with no fog problems at all--thanks again cheers.

 

[danpass]

If I don't get a new mask I'll try the toothpaste scrub. Never had an issue with spit failing to keep things clear until this mask. It's my first to have a silicone seal so residue remaining on the glass make sense.

Regardless I think it's just a tad small and I may get a new one anyway lol.

 

[Simos]

Just a small addition for those who are lucky enough to live in sunny places - one of the worst offenders I found is suncream. If you touch the lenses (or wash it in the water containing suncream) and get suncream on them the mask will fog and unfortunately sun creams are quite water resistant these days so it's hard to get off.

 

[kwtony]

First you need to take a lighter to the inside of the lenses and burn of the extra silicone on the glass off. Hold the flame on the inside for a few seconds and you will see it burn away. Do that about 4 or 5 times and then rub a drop of dawn dish soap on the lens. When you are ready to use wash the soap off and go on diving. You can skip the dawn and fill a bucket with baby soap and water and dunk it in there every time you move the boat and youll be just fine.

 

[Simos]

First you need to take a lighter to the inside of the lenses and burn of the extra silicone on the glass off. Hold the flame on the inside for a few seconds and you will see it burn away. Do that about 4 or 5 times and then rub a drop of dawn dish soap on the lens. When you are ready to use wash the soap off and go on diving. You can skip the dawn and fill a bucket with baby soap and water and dunk it in there every time you move the boat and youll be just fine.

Saw this done before and it seemed to worked fine but probably a good idea to consider what mask you do it on, I would be a bit nervous doing it on my sphera (plastic lenses).

 

[danpass]

................, and/or use a flame (lighter/match) *very carefully* to burn it off.
..........

First you need to take a lighter to the inside of the lenses and burn of the extra silicone on the glass off. Hold the flame on the inside for a few seconds and you will see it burn away. .....

THANK YOU
THANK YOU
THANK YOU





I would like to say that using a lighter produced an IMMEDIATE effect on my glass lenses on the Cressi Focus I was prepared to throw out.



Background:

Cressi Focus. Only mask I've had that was able to thoroughly resist the saliva anti-fog method along with resisting the typical anti-fog bottle solution.

I could literally blow on it from 18in away in an air-conditioned room and fog it up. In the same room, up close, I could practically get it white to the point of dripping.


Tools:

Ronson torch lighter (the type for properly lighting cigars ) applied to the inside. Just quick, smooth bursts. Besides it burns out its oxygen supply rather quickly.

I held the mask face up, looking thru the glass, while flame-throwering the inside of the glass. Only a very little burst is needed actually.

The immediate effect I saw, if I can describe it this way, was a quick 'fogging' of the glass with an immediate burning away of that 'fog'. The flame could be aimed into the edge and continue the 'burning' away of what I assume is that mold release.

I'm happy to report that even up close, in the same A/C'd room I could just barely get the glass to fog. I soon as I stop breathing on it the glass cleared up.


I had gotten a Sporasub Mystic today and after having used the Cressi as practice I performed the same task, achieving the same results.


I'll be out to Pennekamp tomorrow to try them out



on a sidenote I tried the outside as well but didn't get any noticeable effect. Either there was no release on that side or burning the inside was enough. Personally, even with the briefest of bursts, I would only try it on tempered glass.

 

[Apneaddict]

Another trick I've found that works on some stubborn masks is to put the mask on your face at normal tightness... Blow out your nose and figure out where on the seal around the perimeter the air is leaking.

The seal can be cut / modified to provide better / more even pressure which will prevent air leaking and fogging.

This helped with my Superocchio after all other treatments didn't work, including toothpaste and lighter treatments.

On the Superocchio, my eyebrows were touching the second / inner seal and air would leak on the upper seal. After trimming the seal, the air wasn't leaking in any one place easily and fogging ceased.

 

[FreeRestriction]

Ok well i finally figured out to keep my mask from fogging up. I tried it all. Kind of silly i didnt try this sooner but i just spit in the mask and dont rinse it and put it on.

 

[Grubby]

After reading the previous posts in this thread I thought I was prepared to combat the problem. I've just bought myself the Mares Star Elite (mirrored/darkened lenses). Started off by washing with mild dish washing liquid and warm water and then onto a good scrub with whitening toothpaste. Used latex gloves for the washing and scrubbing as I was told not to touch the lenses with my fingers. Sprayed on some anti-fogging solution and rinsed that off as per instructions. Climbed in my pool (30 degree C) and within a few minutes there were scattered spots of fogging.
Another round of toothpaste treatment. I did still notice an oily film on the inside of the lense when held up to the light after the second treatment. Wiped it with a microfiber cloth and will see what effect round two has when I get an opportunity to climb into the pool tomorrow again.
Should I try one more round of toothpaste should the problem persist or would it be better to break out the Zippo and give the lenses a once over? Also I'm a little nervous about the possibility of melting the skirt etc when I try get the flame into the corners of the lenses. I don't want to wreck what appears to be a decent seal. Or, should I just be happy with it for now and give it a little time and a few more dives before I become stressed about being damned for eternity by fogging.

 

[Simos]

After reading the previous posts in this thread I thought I was prepared to combat the problem. I've just bought myself the Mares Star Elite (mirrored/darkened lenses). Started off by washing with mild dish washing liquid and warm water and then onto a good scrub with whitening toothpaste. Used latex gloves for the washing and scrubbing as I was told not to touch the lenses with my fingers. Sprayed on some anti-fogging solution and rinsed that off as per instructions. Climbed in my pool (30 degree C) and within a few minutes there were scattered spots of fogging.
Another round of toothpaste treatment. I did still notice an oily film on the inside of the lense when held up to the light after the second treatment. Wiped it with a microfiber cloth and will see what effect round two has when I get an opportunity to climb into the pool tomorrow again.
Should I try one more round of toothpaste should the problem persist or would it be better to break out the Zippo and give the lenses a once over? Also I'm a little nervous about the possibility of melting the skirt etc when I try get the flame into the corners of the lenses. I don't want to wreck what appears to be a decent seal. Or, should I just be happy with it for now and give it a little time and a few more dives before I become stressed about being damned for eternity by fogging.

Personally I don't like the idea of putting a lighter anywhere near my masks - it's just a question of time before your mask is ok, don't risk wrecking it (especially if you haven't done it before). Clean it a few more times with toothpaste, use warm water and soap and a clean cloth.

I'm sure it'll be ok, just give it a bit of time. When I rub with the toothpaste, I rub with my fingers - don't think it matters much. Just make sure you wash your hands/fingers with soap beforehand so that they don't leave oily marks on the mask.

 

[Grubby]

Thanks, I agree with you totally about the lighter bit, I'm not too keen on taking any chances.
I'll persevere with the toothpaste and give it a bit of time.