burning the film on your mask

[scadreau]

I have used the torch method mentioned above. Just quick "splashes" with the torch and the film goes away. Takes about 5 seconds a side.

Then I just use whatever cleaner is around to take out any smell. Works great and takes way less time and effort than scrubbing with toothpaste/mask scrub.

From what I understand, the "film" is some type of laminate that is placed on the glass to keep the glass from cracking during the cut.

 

[miketsp]

I must have used a lighter flame on at least 10 new masks over the last 40 years. All of them improved significantly after the treatment. None of them ever came near to being damaged and bear in mind that silicone mask skirts are a fairly recent innovation. My older (Nemrod & Spirotechnique) masks had rubber skirts.

 

[SoccerJeni]

My guess is that it is a by-product of the manufacturing process. Maybe a residue that gets on the mask when the skirt is moulded? Or it could be deliberately added to the glass for protection in the factory?



Get rid of the residue, and you'll notice that the mask doesn't fog much at all.

I've used the same mask(s) for over 6 years. I couldn't make them fog now even if I tried...

I guess all you've said makes sense...maybe one day I'll get a little crazy and try this out...I'm still just getting used to the idea. I suppose I can't hurt the mask if I move the flame quickly and stay away from the skirt. Just funny to think about.

So you do this flame thing only 1 time then, and it's fixed?

 

[DevonDiver]

I normally burn the inner glass for a few seconds, then scrub with toothpaste (using finger for friction). Wash. Repeat the whole process 4-5 times.

 

[Johnny Mojo]

Hey Jenni,

It only took once for mine and my daughters! We did as I described in my post above and then did 1 tooth paste treatment. No more problems!

J.

 

[Big fish63]

thanks for all the replys. i have just done this. first of all i did a test on a older mask . i removed the strap so it couldnt get in the way and then held a flame to it 3 times in 15/20 sec intervals. At no time did i hold the flame in one place. i then gave it a good rinse under water but i waited 20mins because the glass was hot. i removed a bit of black soot and all is fine. i will have to wait untill march to let you know if it worked though:depressed:. i might go through the process again if i need to. i repeated this on my new mask.

 

[SoccerJeni]

thanks for all the replys. i have just done this. first of all i did a test on a older mask . i removed the strap so it couldnt get in the way and then held a flame to it 3 times in 15/20 sec intervals. At no time did i hold the flame in one place. i then gave it a good rinse under water but i waited 20mins because the glass was hot. i removed a bit of black soot and all is fine. i will have to wait untill march to let you know if it worked though:depressed:. i might go through the process again if i need to. i repeated this on my new mask.

Just jump in the bathtub! I need to know before March.

 

[Johnny Mojo]

i will have to wait untill march to let you know if it worked though:depressed:. i might go through the process again if i need to. i repeated this on my new mask.

March!? You DO have a bathtub don't ya?

Your mask won't fog in March.

Cheers!

<Edit> I didn't Read what Jenni said.

J.

 

[Big fish63]

"March!? You DO have a bathtub don't ya?"

nope i have to be hosed down in the garden.

"Your mask won't fog in March."

could have told me before! i wouldn't have taken a flame to my mask....


well i doesn't fog up when i put it on my face for a couple of minutes. i couldn't see out of it before...

 

[Aaron528]

To the OP.....As you can see there are many opinions on this. Here's one more

Try it. I didn't believe it would work, but it did. The only other thing I would add is that I used one of those LONG lighters for fire places and grills. No lighter was handy, and I think that the longer lighter worked better. Imagine the use of a "pointer". It was simply more precise. I did exactly as described by others.

Invert mask with strap out of the way.

I held it up a little like I was looking under it so that I could see the ring burn away.

Start in the middle of the lens where you have plenty of room to work.

It would be very hard to do permanent damage to the lens unless you just held it there, so just go in brief intervals.

Keep the flame moving over the lens. You will see a gradually increasing ring of a "soot-like" substance.

As you get closer to the frame/skirt area, just move a little more quickly.

Once completed, clean with plain old Colgate white tooth paste.

No more fogging. Use spit, baby shampoo, or de-fogger; it doesn't matter mask won't fog.

For those who say this could ruin a mask, you gotta be smarter than the mask and the lighter.

Let everyone which way you decided to go and what the result was. Inquiring minds want to know.

J.

I agree, the extension lighters work better for this task. Besides the trigger feature that keeps your hand well away from the flame, it gives you the ability to direct the flame more accurately. These lighters also tend to have better quality + - control for the flame size. It helps.

FWIW, Atomic masks are notorious for not coming clean with toothpaste, soft scrub, or any of the other scrubbing stuff. Nothing else worked on mine but burning. It worked like a charm and I won't do it any other way now.

One other tip: If you're concerned about hitting the plastic/rubber at all, you can mount a strip of duct tape around the inside of the rim before burning. Obviously, if you keep the flame on there for too long it will scorch the tape and heat the rubber beneath, but it does provide some protection if you linger a bit too long near the edge.