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Scuba Forum / General / August 2007Cleaning mask
I only dive in salt water and have always rinsed off my equipment with clean freash water. I've noticed that my mask has a sort of thin layer of grime, for lack of a better word, on the silicone. I tried warm water and Ivory soap and it seemed to clean it squeaky clean, but when it dried the grime was still there. It's worse on the forehead area, strap, and where my nose goes; it's probably a build-up of the oils from my skin and hair. Eventually, I would guess that this would prevent my mask from sealing to my face. Can I go with a stronger soap and hotter water (on the mask ;)? What will the silicone withstand? Or is there another way to clean it. TIA  Signature</TAZZ> it really depends how old your mask is, what you payed for it and how often you use it. A cheap mask is going to go to sh.t alot quicker, then say...a $200 one. But it sounds like it the mask is just old. It happens . It won't effect the seal. But if it bugs you buy a new one. > it really depends how old your mask is, what you payed for it and how > often you use it. A cheap mask is going to go to sh.t alot quicker, > then say...a $200 one. Rubbish. My $15 PSI mask - probably made at the same factory as the branded $50-60 masks, considering that it is an exact replica of the Cressi Big Eyes mask - has done over 1000 dives and is going strong. A more expensive mask just means it costs more - and maybe has a few more bells and whistles, like that stupid purge system. It doesnt mean that it is any better than a cheap mask. Vandit > I only dive in salt water and have always rinsed off my equipment with > clean freash water. I've noticed that my mask has a sort of thin layer > of grime, for lack of a better word, on the silicone. I tried warm water > and Ivory soap and it seemed to clean it squeaky clean, but when it > dried the grime was still there. Go with the black silicone masks instead... > Can I go with a stronger soap and hotter water (on the mask ;)? What will > the silicone withstand? Or is there another way to clean it. Try toothpaste (or one of those softscrub cleansers, but make sure to clean it all off afterwards). It works for me. It also works for cleaning the lenses to prevent fogging. Becky > I only dive in salt water and have always rinsed off my equipment with > clean freash water. I've noticed that my mask has a sort of thin layer [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > Can I go with a stronger soap and hotter water (on the mask ;)? What > will the silicone withstand? Or is there another way to clean it. No. It is useless. It is not "grime" or anything, but part of a process mostly called "creation". Matthias >I only dive in salt water and have always rinsed off my equipment with >clean freash water. I've noticed that my mask has a sort of thin layer of [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > TIA The seal around my mask has turned a kind of white, milky dull color, but the mask still seals fine. I just think it's age. If the mask still seals well, and you like it, fugetaboutit. Otherwise it's time for a new mask. Also, silicone when placed next to other pieces of equipment can absorb the color permanently. The main thing is whether it still seals or not. <snip previous post> Perhaps I should clarify. I have a black silicone mask. On the silicone there is a film that won't wash off with warm water and soap. I can scrape it off with my fingernail, which makes me think that the toothpaste will work. But I only have the gel kind right now. I do have some diatomaceous earth. That mixed with water should make a mildly abrasive paste to scrub with. I was thinking that HOT water would loosen the oils and 'melt' it away, but I don't want to damage the silicone. Any thoughts? Signature</Tazz> > <snip previous post> > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Any thoughts? Old toothbrush and your gel toothpaste and be gentle. > Perhaps I should clarify. > I have a black silicone mask. On the silicone there is a film that won't [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > I was thinking that HOT water would loosen the oils and 'melt' it away, > but I don't want to damage the silicone. Baking soda makes a good abrasive also... I had suggested a black silicone mask because usually people have the clear masks and then complain about them changing color with age or when stored with a wetsuit... At least with black, you're not going to notice it getting darker... <grin> Silicone itself is pretty impervious to many chemicals and heat... I've seen silicone pot holders for kitchen use... Silicone caulking is a pain in the butt to get off of things, I wish there was a chemical that could remove the leftover film after you had cut the majority of it away from a surface... Perhaps you might want to consider testing whatever chemical you want to use on the mask strap ends? Turpentine has the advantage of leaving your mask with a fresh pine scent... I seem to remember some people using Vasoline on their mustache to keep their mask from leaking, so apparently petroleum based products don't harm them... The same cannot be said for latex though... I found that out the hard way when I was staining a table with an oil based stain and decided that latex gloves would allow me to not have to clean stain off my hands afterwards... The latex tends to start coming apart... Probably ended up with more stain on my hands than if I had just not worn any gloves... Toothpaste. > > Perhaps I should clarify. > > I have a black silicone mask. On the silicone there is a film that won't [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] > apart... Probably ended up with more stain on my hands than if I had > just not worn any gloves... > <snip previous post> > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Any thoughts? also try a very weak vineger solution, if the powder is alkaline in nature this should get rid of it > I only dive in salt water and have always rinsed off my equipment with > clean freash water. I've noticed that my mask has a sort of thin layer [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > TIA Mine goes in the dishwasher with no ill effect! |
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