Clear Silicone Mask darkened in storage

[scschulte]

My new Mares ESA clear silicone mask was stored several months in an Aqua-Lung soft mask case. I now see that the mask has become darker on the silicone -- and now I see that there is a black, I believe vinyl "mesh" along 2 sides of this case; and I'm guessing the contamination of the silicone is due to that.

More as a warning to others here-- and I will try to contact Aqua Lung as well. Really a shame as this case was purchased especially to use with my silicone masks. (Happened to another mask, too!) - and I don't believe there is anyway to "lighten the color" of the silicone once so contaminated??

ALSO: This mask fogs a lot-- last Sunday I had to constantly have water inside to be able to see out. OK, it is a larger volume mask (with 6 "lens")- but what can I do to stop this from fogging? No "Soft Scrub" where I live in Belgium-- is going back to toothpaste-- several times-- is that the best or??? What about a liquid just before diving?

Thanks for any and all comments. Regards, Steve 26 June 2005

 

[yakivet]

My new Mares ESA clear silicone mask was stored several months in an Aqua-Lung soft mask case. I now see that the mask has become darker on the silicone -- and now I see that there is a black, I believe vinyl "mesh" along 2 sides of this case; and I'm guessing the contamination of the silicone is due to that.

More as a warning to others here-- and I will try to contact Aqua Lung as well. Really a shame as this case was purchased especially to use with my silicone masks. (Happened to another mask, too!) - and I don't believe there is anyway to "lighten the color" of the silicone once so contaminated??

ALSO: This mask fogs a lot-- last Sunday I had to constantly have water inside to be able to see out. OK, it is a larger volume mask (with 6 "lens")- but what can I do to stop this from fogging? No "Soft Scrub" where I live in Belgium-- is going back to toothpaste-- several times-- is that the best or??? What about a liquid just before diving?

Thanks for any and all comments. Regards, Steve 26 June 2005

I've used my first ESA for the last 6-7 years. Just bought another to eliminate the "rainbow" effect of the old Multicolored plastic. Actually there was too much harassment from the divemasters on our last trip. They thought my mask was really "pretty". Now its a really "pretty" backup mask. Toothpaste should be fine to clean it with. I generally use just a little baby shampoo on the lens, then rinse it out just prior to diving. Much cheaper than the official mask defogging liquids. Ken :42: