Defogging Your Mask – A How To Guide
Defogging Your Mask – A How To Guide
Mask Defogging has been a challenge for divers since masks first started being made. There are a number of reasons masks fog up. We will be going over some of the causes and solutions for for keeping your mask lenses clear.
Why Masks Fog Up
Dive masks for up for a couple of reasons. New masks fog up because masks have a protective coating of silicone sprayed inside the mask to prevent scratching in transit. This coating is more susceptible to the differences in temperature from a divers face and the environment around them. There are several methods for removing this silicone layer, some of these techniques are more effective than others.
How Mask Defog Works
Even after treating a mask you can still have challenges with your mask fogging up while diving. Even after treating your mask you will still need to use some kind of mask defog while diving. The defog creates a thin layer on the inside of your mask that prevents water from condensation on the lens of the mask.
How to Treat a New Mask
There are a couple of techniques to remove the silicone layer on a new mask. The most effective method only works on mask with tempered glass lenses. DO NOT USE THIS METHOD ON PLASTIC LENSES. Use a lighter to burn off the the silicone layer on the inside. Check out the video for an example.
The next method is to use toothpaste or a de-greasing soap and to rub it into the lenses for 20-30 minutes. It takes longer than the lighter, but it you aren’t risking overheating any seals on your mask.
There are a couple other options, but these are most effective methods. Check out this video for some of the examples.
