Discolored mask :(

[Scuba.com]

The 2 things that cause a mask's silicone skirt to discolor permanantly are storing it with your neoprene items and UV rays. I don't know the exact reason why, but the neoprene is known for leeching into the clear silicone and staining it. That is why most all masks come with mask boxes for storage these days.

UV rays will over time cause the more uniform yellowing of the skirt. It doesn't hurt the skirt any, but does give it a bit of a "smoker's yellow" appearance. The best bet to avoid this for as long as possible is to store your mask in a cool dry environment away from the harmful effects of the sun as much as you can when not using the mask.

I've seen masks left on pool decks that are less than 2 weeks old turn a dingy yellow color and I've seen masks that are several years old still look crystal clear. It's all in how you care for your toys!

 

[diver 85]

The 2 things that cause a mask's silicone skirt to discolor permanantly are storing it with your neoprene items and UV rays. I don't know the exact reason why, but the neoprene is known for leeching into the clear silicone and staining it. That is why most all masks come with mask boxes for storage these days.

UV rays will over time cause the more uniform yellowing of the skirt. It doesn't hurt the skirt any, but does give it a bit of a "smoker's yellow" appearance. The best bet to avoid this for as long as possible is to store your mask in a cool dry environment away from the harmful effects of the sun as much as you can when not using the mask.

I've seen masks left on pool decks that are less than 2 weeks old turn a dingy yellow color and I've seen masks that are several years old still look crystal clear. It's all in how you care for your toys!

yep, time is a factor in everything getting/looking old......In fact, it causes most people to die( & masks too).......The mask I use to date(unknown manufacture) is(was) a clear one-- now a little yellowed-- about 14 years old, bought from Ray Lopez @ Sueno del Mar on Roatan on one of our trips there in the early 90's & it is in great shape to date,...have actually bought 3 since(waiting for this one to go out) & it's still a-ticking, nicely I might add......

 

[downdeep]

Take some dishwashing liquid and spread a thin layer over the silicon. Leave it for a couple of minutes and rinse, making sure you get all the soap out. This will clear up the milky look, but won't help the yellowing much. Unfortunately you will have to repeat this after just about every dive. Dawn dishwashing liquid seems to work well.

 

[JahJahwarrior]

Isn't it "all the rage" now to by pants with holes in them, and stains and whatnot?

Seems like someone could be rich if they opened up American Eagleray Scuba and sold pre-yellowed masks, ripped wetsuits and faded BCs!

 

[maged_mmh]

well, i'll go for a black skirt one then!

 

[Parysa]

What if it's just a milky color and not yellow? I keep mine in the box and noticed when I was getting it out one day that the clear silicone had turned white. It gets more clear after a dive, but as soon as it's been stored any length of time, the white comes back.

 

[SparticleBrane]

Get one with a black skirt.

 

[Ed Palma]

What if it's just a milky color and not yellow?

Try dishwashing soap and a little rubbing with a damp cloth. It ought to take out the milkiness. Be forewarned, however, that even this regimen will NOT prevent yellowing of the skirt over time.

 

[Parysa]

Thanks.

 

[MSDT Mark]

hello,
just enquiring if there is some way to restore a clear silicon mask color if it has been discolored? might be because of sun or neoprene?

Why Black Dive Masks Are Better? My first mask was all clear, now the skirt and frame has turned yellow. I soon purchased a mask with a black skirt and have been happily diving a black mask every since. The information listed below may have been listed in the tech tips on the Dive Rite web site. I don’t remember where I found this. However, this sure makes a strong argument for black skirts.

Clear skirts on masks are popular because they minimize the claustrophobic feeling some people get when they wear a mask. Nevertheless, clear skirts and even colored frames actually interfere with vision. Extraneous light entering through the clear skirt makes it more difficult for the eye to focus and causes reflections that obscure vision. Demonstrate this by looking out a window from a lighted room at twilight. You will see better by cupping your hands around your eyes as you press your face to the window. Brightly colored glossy accent frames can also cause annoying color halos around the lenses. For these reasons, knowledgeable divers seeking the best possible vision prefer masks with solid black skirts and frames.