Maybe the instructions for the Hollis mask didn't specify not to use a gas axe (Oxygen Acetylene torch)?
Don’t Flame Your Mask! (per Undercurrent.org / May 2018 Issue)
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Maybe the instructions for the Hollis mask didn't specify not to use a gas axe (Oxygen Acetylene torch)?
The tighter you pull it, the more it leaks anyway.
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Why flame it? I've had several new masks over the years and have always used the toothpaste technique with completely acceptable results. I have never used commercial mask prep products, I would imagine that they work fine.
Chip Elliott
Connecticut Yankee
I have flamed all 4 of my masks with no troubles whatsoever. Of course manufacturers are going to point the finger at someone or something else. I call ********. Flame away
Huh. I've used toothpaste and never had a problem. The idea of taking a flame to a mask when not specifically recommended by the manufacturer or LDS seems a bit odd to me.
How hot does the flame have to be to "burn" silicone? It looks like lighter flame is pretty hot: What Temperatures Do Lighters Burn At?
How hot does the flame have to be to "burn" silicone? It looks like lighter flame is pretty hot: What Temperatures Do Lighters Burn At?
More abrasive the better. Here is a list if you’re interested:
https://i0.wp.com/www.bauersmiles.c...hpaste-RDA-abrasive-levels-abrasion.jpg?ssl=1
https://i0.wp.com/www.bauersmiles.c...hpaste-RDA-abrasive-levels-abrasion.jpg?ssl=1
OP
scubafanatic
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Does ANY brand or manufacturer of dive masks endorse the application of 'flame' ?
RockiesFan
Banned
Never occured to me to flame my mask.
Dan
Contributor
Remove silicone coating with toothpaste didn’t take the fogging away from my 1st mask. It took me 100 dives (2 years) with baby shampooing before each dive to a point when the fogging stopped. I had good 6 years of no fogging mask since then. Lost the mask 5 years ago.
On my 2nd mask, LDS flamed the silicone coating off right after I bought it. I had no fogging problem on its first dive. I bought 3rd mask as a backup mask & flamed it myself.
I’ve been a happy diver without fogging mask ever since & firm believer of flaming method being better & quicker to condition the tempered glass lens of the mask than the toothpaste method.
You only need to flame it once by scanning the flame quickly over the lens once the silicone burns off from clear to opaque to clear as shown by the video posted above by @MAKO Spearguns Keep the flame away from the black silicone skirt at the edge of the lens.
Never heard about shattering the tempered glass mask lens until this thread. I wonder if the flaming on that mask was be too intense or too long or repeated too many times?
On my 2nd mask, LDS flamed the silicone coating off right after I bought it. I had no fogging problem on its first dive. I bought 3rd mask as a backup mask & flamed it myself.
I’ve been a happy diver without fogging mask ever since & firm believer of flaming method being better & quicker to condition the tempered glass lens of the mask than the toothpaste method.
You only need to flame it once by scanning the flame quickly over the lens once the silicone burns off from clear to opaque to clear as shown by the video posted above by @MAKO Spearguns Keep the flame away from the black silicone skirt at the edge of the lens.
Never heard about shattering the tempered glass mask lens until this thread. I wonder if the flaming on that mask was be too intense or too long or repeated too many times?
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