How to Prep Your New Scuba Diving Mask with a Lighter
When you purchase a new scuba diving mask, it will have a thin layer of silicone on the inside of the lens left over from the manufacturing process. This silicone interferes with defogging treatments, and until it’s removed, your mask will fog like crazy no matter how much defog you slather on.
One option is to scrub the silicone off with a commercial mask-prep compound or just plain-old toothpaste. This is the conventional method to prep a new mask for scuba diving but can make a mess and sometimes takes multiple attempts to fully remove the silicone.
The other option is to use one of man’s earliest discoveries — fire. The silicone can quickly and effectively be burned off with a lighter. Here’s how to do it.
1. Stand in a protected area, out of the wind.
2. Hold the flame of the lighter near the inside of the lens, but not directly on it.
3. The heat will make the mask fog, and you will be able to see the silicone burn away as it leaves behind a clear area.
4. Carefully move the flame around the lens to clear the remaining silicone. Be careful around the skirt.
5. The lens will be hot. Set the mask aside and let it cool before wiping out the silicone residue.
6. Make sure the mask is completely cool and rinse it with water to remove any lingering residue.
Warnings
• Only attempt this on lenses made of tempered glass.
• Don’t use it on masks with glued-on bi-focals, prescription lenses or other specialty coatings.
• It is easier and safer to do with a long-necked lighter.
• Soot can discolor clear or light-colored mask skirts — when you’re wiping away the soot be careful to rub it away from the skirt.
Remember, burning your mask doesn’t mean it will never fog, you will still want to use a defogging agent before every dive.