Micromask fogging

[efattah]

Hi all,

I use a micromask and I have endless problems of fogging. I never used to get this type of fogging with other masks. I washed it out, and then if I spit in it and wipe it around and briefly rinse it, it lasts for half a dive before it fogs again. Water is 6C. After months of frustration, I will have to switch to my Omer Alien for no other reason than fogging.

Has anyone found a solution -- maybe anti-fog drops? If so which brand?

 

[dannybuoy]

I have the same problem with my new one, but not with my old one. Not a clue what i did differently. Am going to try the old toothpaste trick -if that don't work at least the fog will be minty fresh.

 

[Simos]

Hi Eric
I use a micromask in open (cold) water too - I had days it was ok and days it was fogging. I now use an anti-fogger and it's fine - I use one made by Mares that I bought more than a year ago but I'm sure they must still do it - it's a small white plastic 30ml bottle with a spray cap.

The instructions say to spray it, wait for a few seconds and rinse. I've found that it works better if I spray it generously a couple of hours before getting in the water and let it dry on the lense. Then I DON'T rinse the mask before getting in the water...

Try it next time you dive - I hope this works for you. I hardly have any issues with fogging these days. Be a bit careful not to get the inside of the mask wet and it should be fine...
Simos
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[rddk]

I have a micromask too never had problems of foggins i used it lot of times in cold water like yours since i often training into the lake. The toothpaste trick and than lightering the lenses has solved any problem, if those things do not work try to put the mask into the dishwasher. Obviusly i assume that your mask do not touch anything that could oily it or things like that, i always have my mask into a small box separate from all the diving equipment.

 

[pingshui]

I bathed my mask in coke for an hour, after nothing else had helped. Now sptting in it or using baby shampoo is enough

 

[Simos]

Eric I did also notice that when the inside of the mask is a bit dirty or 'greasy' it fogs up a lot easier - might be that particles on the lense aid condensation. So might be worth washing it with warm water and some washing up liquid or similar, especially if the inside lense has been handled... If you dive in lakes it's really worth washing the mask thoroughly after diving - lake water can have quite a lot of silt..

My sphera has started fogging up in the pool recently so I think I might follow my own advice and see if it helps - does anyone know if plastic lenses need different treatment than glass ones?
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[manalive!]

I use baby shampoo in mine and have no problems

 

[Simos]

Sounds like anything that will remove oils and dirt from the lense will do
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[JennyWren]

I find that my Sphera fogs up a lot, even in the pool. My Samurai didn't have this problem - I think for me it's a plastic vs glass issue.

 

[azapa]

i stuck optical lenses inside my micromask, two layers of glass now. No fogging at all in cold 11C nor the bahamas 27C. I never did the cleaning thing either.

never put sunscreen in the mask area, messes things up bad.

 

[Tin Man]

My Micormask fogged badly at first, but the ole "lighter trick" fixed it. Just a quick pass around the inside with the flame, being careful at the edges.

 

[Erik]

Jim (from Florida store) was telling me that the reason some lenses fog and some don't is the quality of the glass. Lesser quality means a rougher glass, with the concurrrent higher degree of places for condensation to form. Better quality is smoother (at a microscopic level) and doesn't fog up as easily.
The trick would be finding out which brand of a particular mask has the beter glass.

 

[Apneaddict]

If this is the case, it might be worth polishing the lens on the inside. They have windshield polishes to get rid of the small stone chips / sandblasting.

 

[Erik]

If this is the case, it might be worth polishing the lens on the inside. They have windshield polishes to get rid of the small stone chips / sandblasting.

Good idea!

 

[Apneaddict]

Pls let us know if this works! Could be useful to a lot of us chronic-foggers.

 

[Joe.A]

Toothpaste is pretty much the same thing as that lens polishing stuff, microabrasive. Just put some elbow grease into it.

 

[Apneaddict]

Toothpaste is use on plastic headlight lenses - not sure it's abrasive enough to materially affect glass?

 

[ReefTroll]

It's worked for me.
And as for automotive comparisons, it also removed some clumsy clear coat overspray on one of the windows on my last car.
it's not about affecting the glass, it's about removing what is ON the glass.
You actually don't want to affect the glass itself at all.

 

[dimitris33]

For all foggers, the right procedure is:

Arriving at dive spot.
First thing to do get the mask out of the bag.
Spit the inside glasses (the deeper the spit from your throat the better, mucus mixed with saliva is the best for fogging) and rub them with the spit.
Put the mask aside with the spit on (DO NOT WASH IT) with the mask looking the ground (dont loose the spit from inside).
Dress up - prepared.
When you are ready to hit the water (the spit inside the mask should be almost dry by now) dip the mask instantly in the water for 1-2 secs and take it out, joggle it in the air to get ride of the water, wear it and go.

Most important thing, DO NOT WASH THE MASK BEFORE YOU SPIT IT. FIRST spit it with a GOOD mixture of mucus and saliva , put it aside until u get dressed and then wash it and go.

I have changed more than 20 mask and swimming pool goggles and have never had a problem with fogging following this procedure.

If it starts fogging after a time, then take a break, put the mask on your head if you are in the water, stay calm and wait for 2-3 mins for the mask to get dry, spit it again, rib the glasses with your finger, wash instantly and go.

Try and report back.

 

[ReefTroll]

Whilst that may work, I think the convenience of the old "toothpaste scrub, rinse spit rinse" is good for most of us.