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

[aviator8]

Most new dive masks do have mold release agents in the flexible skirt that during storage will migrate to the surface of the lens and cause fogging.

What I don't get is how these mold release agents continue to be present. Are they off gassing over time? I have masks that I have done all the mentioned techniques on. The surest way to visually see if there is contaminant on the lens is with a flame. Even after dozens of scrubs and two dishwasher runs if I put a mask in its case for a week then pull it out. When I flame it I can see stuff burn off and leave a black residue to remove. I don't really have any fogging issues as I just use my preferred defogger and it works as long as I don't flood it and rinse it away, but at what point do the contaminants stop migrating to the glass

 

[lowviz]

@Marie13 OK, I give!

I REALLY REALLY needed to get my head together, this is where I do it. Mission accomplished. Steve and Roxanne therapy.

You write your trip report first, I'll follow...

 

[lowviz]

... but at what point do the contaminants stop migrating to the glass

I wish that I could answer that question, that is a fundamental part of the whole issue.

In the meantime, a dishwasher is good at hitting the 'reset' button...

 

[stuartv]

So, at this moment, I kinda think that one should critically clean the skirt and lens and then remove the natural oils from one's face. Once this is done, apply a surfactant to both mask and face.

Baby shampoo?

We press on...

So, dishwasher occasionally, but repeatedly. Wash face before diving. Use diluted baby shampoo.

That's the process I'd come to already, based on the results from this thread a while back.

Another issue that I have is that I don't have a mask that never leaks. My Mako mask comes the closest, but I still usually have to clear it a few times during a dive. Every time I clear it, I'm blowing warm moist air from my nose into the mask. That usually gets it to start fogging, at least on some part of one of the lenses, before the end of a dive.

 

[Marie13]

@Marie13 OK, I give!

I REALLY REALLY needed to get my head together, this is where I do it. Mission accomplished. Steve and Roxanne therapy.

You write your trip report first, I'll follow...

I already did.

Intro to Tech this weekend

 

[Couv]

We press on...

Welcome back! Looking forward to the rest of the journey.

 

[lowviz]

I already did.

Intro to Tech this weekend

Bullshyt!! You call that a trip report???

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

I have discovered a way to tell when you have toothpasted a mask enough. Huff your breath on it after you wash the toothpaste off, It will fog on spots you missed. Just make sure you aren’t causing the front to fog when you do it.

 

[lowviz]

Rusty,

I good with what you say, but then I put my sweaty face into the mask.

I have to find a way to visualize this...

 

[Marie13]

Bullshyt!! You call that a trip report???

That’s all they’ll get.