Cleaning goggles.

[Meeshka]

Hello,

I have a Proto ES goggles which I'm going to use for the first time this Sunday. I attempted to clean them (by manual) to keep any surprises to a minimum when they actually need cleaning.

What I did was take out the lens (cleaned lens only) and rinses it ounder water without using anything to clean it (didn't want to damage the "special" anti-*** coating) then I left it out to dry. After it dried I noticed water marks. Is there a way to wash/dry so the lense will be perfectly clear?

Also after a few days of sitting on my shelf I noticed it collected A LOT of dust(I have a cat and a dog, fur/clothes dust/etc..). How should/where should goggles be kept to avoid the lense collecting dust?

Thanks!
-Mike

[malcontent]

well Proto usual gives you a bag with the mask to prevent dust collections, and i use isopropyl alcohol to clean the lense, it wont remove that "special coating" and it goes along way to prevent fogging, also evaporates quicker than water, and is distilled, so theres nothing in it to leave marks on the lens.

[JChan819]

Well, for the dust problem, I'd keep it in the original box, if you still got it.

[Meeshka]

well Proto usual gives you a bag with the mask to prevent dust collections, and i use isopropyl alcohol to clean the lense, it wont remove that "special coating" and it goes along way to prevent fogging, also evaporates quicker than water, and is distilled, so theres nothing in it to leave marks on the lens.

But I've read that one shouldn't use watery substences like Windex and other items including alcohol. Do you think it would still not harm the lense? Btw the lense is NOT thermal, it's regular anti-***. Does that make any difference in cleaning?

Thanks agian, guys.

[Milky Spore]

DO NOT USE WINDEX ON YOUR MASK!

Get some good micro-fiber cloths, and clean it with warm water, or special paintball lense cleaner. I'm not sure if you'll have to re-apply the anti-fog spray though, I would guess you would have to.

[Meeshka]

DO NOT USE WINDEX ON YOUR MASK!


I know thats why I said this \/

But I've read that one shouldn't use watery substences like Windex...

...i use isopropyl alcohol to clean the lense, it wont remove that "special coating" and it goes along way to prevent fogging, also evaporates quicker than water, and is distilled, so theres nothing in it to leave marks on the lens.

What about the isopropyl alochol as Mal suggested? can anyone confirm this for me?

thanks.

[Lenny17]

I'll usually use water, or maybe water with a little bit (absolutely tiny amount) of dish soap in it. It helps break down the grease in the paintballs, and leaves things squeaky clean. I then let is sit to dry before I attempt to put the lens back in.

I"ve heard that isopropyl alcohol is okay, but never tried it. It is one of the two main ingredients in Windex, but I think it is the other ingredient (2-Butoxyethanol, yay wikipedia) that is the solvent that will kill your lens.

[Zaunji]

To avoid the water marks use a micro fiber cloth to dry the mask. I wouldn't use isopropyl alcohol to clean the lenses. It might sound like a good idea, but eventually it could break down the actual lenses. Which isn't good.
To avoid dust on the mask just put a towel over it or something.

[Eppster]

In the proto series of masks, there isnt a 'special coating' on the lenses. They are 2 lenses that trap air and keep it at the same tempurature as everything else so it doesnt fog.

[malcontent]

I wouldn't use isopropyl alcohol to clean the lenses. It might sound like a good idea, but eventually it could break down the actual lenses. Which isn't good.

in the time it would take for isopropyl to wear down the lense, you'd have changed it atleast twice already by normal wear and tear standards, so while it does slowly rot the lense, its not a fast enough decay to be of any threat.

[JChan819]

Yeah, just don't use anything corrosive. Windex was mentioned above, but don't use Rain-X on the lens. It'll eat away at it, and it's not pretty.

[jeep_brute]

I carry a spray bottle in my car with some paper towels to clean it. The other tip I picked up for when you get goggled, is to carry small wad of toilet paper. Rip off a piece wipe your mask, then trow it in the ground (it's biodegradable).

[Lopez17]

But I've read that one shouldn't use watery substences like Windex and other items including alcohol. Do you think it would still not harm the lense? Btw the lense is NOT thermal, it's regular anti-***. Does that make any difference in cleaning?

Thanks agian, guys.

Windex will damage your mask. Use goggle cleaner or water. I typically use water and a microfiber cloth (of which I have a million of those Oakley Bags). You can also get some in stores. The microfibers take off the paint and any remaining oily residue. That's really all you need. If you get paint on the inside of the lens, dab at it with a microfiber. Don't attempt to smear it like you would do with the outside of the lens.

[geekyrocketguy]

Don't worry about getting all the dust/animal hair off until before you go play. If you clean it off and then leave the mask where it came from, the dust/animal hair will just come back.

If you do use alcohol to clean it, you should really dilute (add water) to it. Don't use the alcohol more than necessary. The lens protects your eyes, and do you really want to risk damaging your lens?

[Hipster]

During a days play, a microfibre cloth will take the worst off, but when I get home, I blast my mask clean in the shower, then use a glass of hot water with a SMALL amount of vinegar in to rinse the lens off. It leaves no smears if left to air dry, and doesn't seem to damage the lens.