Anti-Fogging Treatments for New Masks. (a comparison of techniques)

[lowviz]

Eighth mask arrived today. I know that there is a concern to keep this moving.

Any objections to doing the reference side now?

I plan to soot-flame the top half of one lens, cigar lighter flame a vertical stripe, and then toothpaste scrub the bottom half of same lens. Still getting all the test materials for the other lens...

 

[SleepySlipper]

let’s get this gravy train rolling!

 

[Couv]

My "like" is a vote to proceed.

 

[lowviz]

OMG.

OK, I have everything but Bon Ami (easy) and Microgloss Liquid Abrasive (Amazon Prime). Everyone who was interested enough to get their suggestion in before the cut should have their suggestion tested.

@couv: Your initial test was quite valuable with respect to keeping things moving. I tried last night with my seasoned masks and no way am I going to be able to deal with front-lens fogging (chilled masks) without a rig that will take time to construct. Teapot it is. Just got one. Copper and solder. Lead solder, forget tea from that thing. It very nicely fogs only the inside of a room-temperature mask with a second or two exposure to the steam jet.

Flame test, if it isn't reproducible it isn't science. Zippo cigarette lighter with Zippo fuel, Ronson cigar lighter with Ronson butane.

We press on...

 

[lowviz]

Last night was a run-through of the reference side with my old seasoned masks. Looking for procedural 'issues', found a few.

Eight 'in-the-box' new masks of the same make and model is a precious resource. I don't want to find out that I invalidated or compromised the testing due to a flaw in test design.

Tonight I treat the reference side of all masks and then randomize the masks to remove personal bias with respect to reference treatment.

Looks like tomorrow is showtime...

 

[BDSC]

Don’t know if it’s been mentioned, but you should make a video of this entire process talking about why you decided to do this, how you got all your masks, and then the testing procedures.

It would make a great YouTube video for Divers.

 

[lowviz]

No way, a decent video would be a project in its own right.

We have 'agreed' to testing these masks in a specific way. It needs to progress without endless detours. Making this into a vid, no matter how valuable, would be a fundamental re-write of the entire process. A neverending story, Deja Vous. I'd like to share a bit about a very successful project that I was part of, long ago.

Programmers, engineers, and machinists. We knew that this project was entirely possible with the talent at hand. Corporate IT took it seriously and put the lot of us under a person who knew little to nothing of programming, engineering, or mechanics. We came to find out that she was, however, a brilliant organizer. Weekly meetings. What do we have to overcome this week? "Are you SURE you can do that in a week??" No, maybe not. OK, then. Commit to only what you are sure you can deliver. We need to keep this moving.

 

[aviator8]

I’d second the video idea even if it adds a little delay.

 

[ScubaWithTurk]

My tried and true mask treatment process which I use for all my new masks as well as any mask I sell to a customer:

1.Clean the mask with dish washing liquid
2. Dry
3. Put a few drops of toothpaste on the glass
4. Rub toothpaste in with finger using moderate pressure (be sure to get right up to the mask skirt)
5. Allow toothpaste to dry a bit and become tacky (usually 2-3 minutes works for me)
6. Take tissue (Kleenex) and with solid pressure, scrub the mask using a circular pattern

Step 6 cleans off the toothpaste as well as scrubs the mask clean of any residue from the manufacturing process.

7. Rinse in water

Once done, I use Unicorn Juice (My own spit) and have never had an issue with a mask fogging up.

I believe the key to the above process is the two minute drying time of the toothpaste. I say this because I have been in a hurry and didn't allow for this and had slight fogging issues.

 

[Couv]

There are plenty of videos already available of the methods being tested. I vote to press on.