Anti-Fogging Treatments for New Masks. (a comparison of techniques)

[lowviz]

Anyway, certainly for this post, but others too, I wonder if either the OP, in this case @lowviz with or w/o moderator help could post (if they so choose) such a summary (or one of his choosing) like even in front of the first post, or right there with it...

When I post the write-up, I'll ask a mod to 'modpost' a link to that in the original post.

I'm planning on a write-up that addresses how we all got here and a quick summary post that one can jump to if they only want a quick overview.

 

[johndiver999]

Since you didn't read, I'll summarize: This thread used the same mask you're talking about (the Mako Minimus) to identify what works the best. Tests included everything you mentioned (except possibly the Simple Green - I can't remember if that was one of the tests) plus more.

What works THE BEST - meaning, even better and more reliable than the methods you tried - is to run it through your dishwasher (with automatic dishwasher detergent), then soak it for a week in undiluted household ammonia. No burning or scrubbing needed.

This process gets the whole mask CLEAN, and the ammonia also has the effect of literally changing the surface of the glass itself. It's a chemical reaction between the ammonia and the glass - a process called hydroxylation. It makes the glass very fog-resistant. Much more so than the untreated glass - which, on a Mako Minimus, seems to be even more fog-prone than most.

My Minimus has been my MOST fog-prone mask that I own, out of 12 or more masks, currently. After only the dishwasher and then 2 days soaking in ammonia, I was VERY pleased at how much more fog-resistant my Minimus is now than it was after only scrubbing it and burning it (multiple times).

Just FYI.

Have we determined that the dishwasher cycle is required as an initial step? I think some people might be hesitant to subject a $125 mask to treatment that is probably outside of the recommended "scope" from the manufacturer? I ran my mask through the dishwasher and saw no damage.

I am excited to try the ammonia treatment, but won't be shopping for a while.

Seems like a lot of effort was expended on this effort, but it seems like it would be beneficial to find the minimum treatment that works.

 

[Couv]

Have we determined that the dishwasher cycle is required as an initial step?

If one has a dishwasher, it is the easiest of all steps. Why eliminate it? Just put the mask in when you do the dishes.

 

[tridacna]

I never put mine in dishwasher. Only NH3 solution.

 

[tridacna]

Life is strange. When I had my fish tanks, ammonia was my enemy...

 

[lowviz]

I don't have a strong position with respect to dishwashing a mask before you soak it. Dishwashing does indeed improve a mask but nowhere near as effectively as a long ammonia soak.

Dishwashing doesn't appear to hurt, works by a different mechanism, and is so easy to do. Why not add it?

I too have done only an ammonia soak on a brand new mask, see post #331.

 

[stuartv]

My Mako mask had the Mako logo printed on the top of the mask skirt. After a run through the dishwasher, that logo was gone.

I ran my new Deep6 mask and my Atomic Subframe ARC through and can see no signs of any effect.

My suspicion, just a SUSPICION, is that the dishwasher step has largely the same effect as burning or serious scrubbing. It worked better for me, but not a VAST and HUGE difference. So, a mask that you already have and have treated in one of those ways probably would be okay, after another good cleaning, to just soak in ammonia.

But, I also suspect that a brand new mask needs SOME form of cleaning treatment (like a dishwasher cycle) to get the glass truly clean, so that the glass is fully exposed to the ammonia soak. A new mask with no serious cleaning seems like it could possibly have something on the glass that would insulate the glass from the effects of the ammonia, or diminish the effect of the ammonia soak.

Personally, I don't want to waste a whole week soaking a mask in ammonia if I don't know for sure that the mask is prepped properly for the ammonia to be able to perform the desired task.

It seems kind of like painting. You might be able to get away without priming the surface. But, if it's a surface that you don't know for sure is going to take the paint properly, why would you skip priming it?

 

[Aquanomad]

2 NERDs?! Are you diving with redundant CCRs and 2 loops running into one DSV?

What is your config? Is 1 NERD a controller and 1 a monitor for the same loop?

No. Been wanting to go b/o ccr for a while but havn't puled the trigger. Right side controller left side monitor. Teric on the wrist.

 

[Aquanomad]

Since you didn't read, I'll summarize: This thread used the same mask you're talking about (the Mako Minimus) to identify what works the best. Tests included everything you mentioned (except possibly the Simple Green - I can't remember if that was one of the tests) plus more.

What works THE BEST - meaning, even better and more reliable than the methods you tried - is to run it through your dishwasher (with automatic dishwasher detergent), then soak it for a week in undiluted household ammonia. No burning or scrubbing needed.

This process gets the whole mask CLEAN, and the ammonia also has the effect of literally changing the surface of the glass itself. It's a chemical reaction between the ammonia and the glass - a process called hydroxylation. It makes the glass very fog-resistant. Much more so than the untreated glass - which, on a Mako Minimus, seems to be even more fog-prone than most.

My Minimus has been my MOST fog-prone mask that I own, out of 12 or more masks, currently. After only the dishwasher and then 2 days soaking in ammonia, I was VERY pleased at how much more fog-resistant my Minimus is now than it was after only scrubbing it and burning it (multiple times).

Just FYI.

Ya. I only made it through half of the thread. 52 pages is a lot and just havnt had the time. Thanks for the summary. I dont have a dish washer and oddly dont know anyone whos does. Ill try and find one and give the ammonia method a go. Thanks Stuart for the TLDR.

 

[stuartv]

Ya. I only made it through half of the thread. 52 pages is a lot and just havnt had the time. Thanks for the summary. I dont have a dish washer and oddly dont know anyone whos does. Ill try and find one and give the ammonia method a go. Thanks Stuart for the TLDR.

I bet you could just put some automatic dishwasher detergent in a bowl of hot water and let your mask soak in it for an hour, maybe with an occasional stirring, and get more or less the same effect. That stuff is STRONG!