Mask Fogging

[Brodie.davis]

Hi, I tend to have a problem with my mask fogging up. On my cert dives my buddy had some stuff called Divers Choice which was a gel and that was great but it didn't last past the first full mask flood and from then onwards it was fog.

On my other dives since the course I tried out some stuff called Sea Ice, which was pretty good but i don't think i put on enough as i got some fogging during the second dive of the day. Spitting on the lens doesn't seem to work too well for me.

I have done the old toothpaste and Jiff (cream cleanser here in NZ) on the mask but it doesn't seem to make much of a difference. Should i go at the mask again, or do i need to bring out the big guns.

Is there any advice from people as to what works well for you, and any hints for how to clean the inside of my mask alot better.

(i had a quick search but couldn't find any topics directly related to this, but maybe my search foo is bad on this board)

Thanks for your help

 

[garyfotodiver]

Use a non-gel toothpaste to clean the inside of the mask. I use Pepsodent.

As far as a defogger, spit works. So does rubbing a cut potato on the glass, and there are many chemical preparations available.

As a last resort, pull your mask away from your face to fill it with water, then clear it. It is a skill I practice on every dive.

 

[Diveral]

Try cleaning the mask again. I bought a new mask last year and cleaned it with the stuff they sell at the LDS and cleaned per the instructions on the back and the dmmmd thing kept fogging up, used 3 different anti-fogs, spit and snot; nothing worked. Hit it again with the cleaner and a toothbrush several more times per the suggestion of someone diving with me (I might've even used toothpaste). The next dive the original antifog worked first time with no problems.

 

[1_T_Submariner]

hey BD
make sure to rub the anti fog stuff in really hard and then if your mask fogs up and conditions permit take it off underwater and rub it some more...just $.02

 

[tjmills]

Go to your local LDS and get some. Ask them which one they like. The best thing is dishwashing liquid but it burns your eyes if you get water in your mask. I usually use one that is in a orange and white bottle. The cap twists off and it is like a dropper and it works well. I am sure someone can remember the name of it on here.

Stay away from the paste stuff unless you haven't scrubbed the inside of your mask (that is all I think it is good for) As said above, you need to do this with every new mask before you use it. Toothpaste works very well for this rather than buying the stuff they sell you for this. I use my finger (not a toothbrush) to spread and rub the toothpaste into the inside of the mask. What you are trying to do is scrub off the clear protectant on the glass. Work it pretty good.

Keep in mind that you need to put the defog on between every dive. If you flood the mask or rinse it with too much water it just goes away and doesn't work. Watch other experienced divers and you will see that after they put the defog on they quickly and LIGHTLY rinse the inside of the mask. The less water the better. Just enough to clear the heavy residue off. You will get the hang of it after a few tries.

Hope this helps.

 

[m3830431]

I would make sure you clean it again and when you think your done do it a little longer. Since you are using a mild abrasive it takes more than you think. I cleaned my first mask three times.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I bought a new mask last week. I used tooth paste (rubbed in with a finger with fairly heavy pressure for about 2-3 minutes), then rinsed it and repeated the process. In my experience with this mask and several other prior, that procedure is adequate to clean any coating or residue off the lens.

I also normally just use spit - it's cheap, readily available and works very well.

I agree that the key with any defog is to rinse the mask very lightly - just enough to remove any excess but not so much that you remove the defogging agent itself.

 

[geojo01]

After all the tooth paste and de-fogger and frogger and spit, I have found that before your dive wash you mask out with Johnson's No more tears Baby Shampoo. It helps keep the fog out and cleans your mask at the same time. Sometimes high humidity tends to fog more than dryer day. Indoor pools have heat and humidity which cause fog. Alittle water in the bottom of the mask to swirl around should help. Good Luck!

 

[detroit diver]

After all the tooth paste and de-fogger and frogger and spit, I have found that before your dive wash you mask out with Johnson's No more tears Baby Shampoo. It helps keep the fog out and cleans your mask at the same time. Sometimes high humidity tends to fog more than dryer day. Indoor pools have heat and humidity which cause fog. Alittle water in the bottom of the mask to swirl around should help. Good Luck!

As an added bonus, when you exhale thru your nose you get some pretty bubbles...!

 

[M_Bipartitus]

There is a article in the current issue on this in Scuba Diving mag.