Hiya, garage guys. Long time no see!

Seeing as this is the only forum I can think of that is likely populated with people who do actual WORK (as defined by science), I have a question:

Best I can tell, "anti-fog coating" means "This will work ok in a lab environment with good A/C"

I sweat like a scared pig, see, and do the grunt work installing HVAC and various other jobs generally relegated to the "illegal immigrant sex offender" tier of employment BUT I'm also trying to get certified as a structural welder. You can probably see where this is going. Because I can't.

Five seconds after starting a bead, my glasses AND hood lens fog up so bad I can honestly weld straighter with my eyes closed. Passed my first test that way actually.

Know of any tips/tricks or cheats to keep my "anti-fog" lenses from immediately fogging up when I start to sweat because I'm actually working and not rolling around in a wheeled chair texting people about football and shit?

I've heard quite a few methods and I'm going to try the one with putting a dab of dish soap on the lens, letting it dry and then buffing it off tomorrow.

Outside of wearing a fucking fan over my head or applying anti-perspirant to my face, I'm out of ideas.

9/11/2014 4:29:29 AM

I've read that dish soap is bad for the plastic (on motorcycle face shields) and makes the screen brittle (not good for face protection as "shatterproof" shields are now shatterable)

Might need to look more into that. Wax should work though. I wax my motorcycle face shields and though it's not 100% effective, it definitely reduces the amount of fogging. A heavy fogger like you might need something much better... maybe custom vented face shield? Oh, I'm so inventing that.

9/11/2014 4:40:04 AM

Quote :

"heavy fogger"

Seeing as how the inside cover lens sees no real impacts (and are super cheap), I'm willing to take the chance with the soap making it brittle.
i'll try wax next.

Interestingly enough, spit seems to be the best thing so far. not kidding

9/11/2014 4:48:53 AM

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/welding_protection/heatstress/coolband/

sry, Hiro

9/11/2014 4:52:51 AM

^Yeah, but @ how much per unit? I'm thinkin economical yo. :p

9/11/2014 6:48:31 AM

Tried the soap trick today. Not bad!
somewhat blurry, but clear enough to watch an arc gap. fogging, however, was a complete non issue.

Your bringing up cycle helmets made me think we likely face similar challenges (except for the part where you have loads of wind and stuff to vent through if you so choose.)

Did a little youtubing and found bikers going crazy over this stuff.


Saw a few demos and by most accounts it looks to be pretty damn legit.
Got a pack today

Dunno bout the name...

If it works I'm so totally shilling for that company though.

[Edited on September 12, 2014 at 3:00 AM. Reason : feet]

9/12/2014 2:58:09 AM

Definitely let us know!

9/12/2014 4:04:04 AM

+
hah

for serious
if the cat crap doesn't work, I'd rig up an pc case fan near the forehead area blowing downwards

9/12/2014 9:19:45 PM

^ That's not a bad idea there (the snorkel)

my 3m respirator has a down-firing exhaust port that seriously lessens the fog problems. but i am in well ventilated areas most times and don't wear it often.

The Cat Crap worked like a boss!

9/13/2014 7:51:46 AM

I was gonna suggest the PAPR welding hoods. We use them for welding jobs where hex chrome is a concern, but they definitely help with fogging and keeping you cool in general.

We had Cat Crap at one plant where I worked, but I never tried it. Glad it worked for you.

9/25/2014 7:58:34 PM