Anti Fog for Welding Helmet

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What are some alternatives for reducing the fogging of the lens on the inside of my welding helmet?  I am currently using Rain X un-diluted.
Reply:We sell some stuff at the ski hill I work at to keep your ski/snowboard goggles from fogging up.  Figure that is probably a better bet than rain-x as it was designed for plastic lenses.  Can't remember the brand offhand but it works well.
Reply:a snorkel.................200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:Originally Posted by rsohcWhat are some alternatives for reducing the fogging of the lens on the inside of my welding helmet?  I am currently using Rain X un-diluted.
Reply:I guess this is a problem in extreme cold climates only?  I never have my hood lens fog up.  I do get fogging on my safety glasses when I try to wear hood, respirator and safety glasses all at same time.  The problem is the respirator.  I can wear hood and respirator, or hood and safety glasses, without fogging.  Wearing all 3 is a sure recipe for fogging.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:get a speedglas mask with adflo
Reply:The fan idea would work but might be an improvement if you use a little computer fan and a small battery. Guy at school had this to keep the smoke from under his hood. Glued in a switch too that toggled it off when he flipped up the hood. Pretty slick. Fan was at the top of the helmet,over his head.200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:Originally Posted by DesertRider33I guess this is a problem in extreme cold climates only?  I never have my hood lens fog up.  I do get fogging on my safety glasses when I try to wear hood, respirator and safety glasses all at same time.  The problem is the respirator.  I can wear hood and respirator, or hood and safety glasses, without fogging.  Wearing all 3 is a sure recipe for fogging.
Reply:The advice I like the best is to keep the hood on before/between welds.  Even when it is in the 40's (F) in the garage, it seems that the top of my head is warm enough to keep fog at bay when my breath hits the window.  YMMV
Reply:Stop breathing.
Reply:Originally Posted by weregeekThe advice I like the best is to keep the hood on before/between welds.  Even when it is in the 40's (F) in the garage, it seems that the top of my head is warm enough to keep fog at bay when my breath hits the window.  YMMV
Reply:I purchased anitfog spray from Harley Davidson store near here.  Don't know how well it works though.
Reply:i use the scott brand anti-fog wipe, it kicks azz!
Reply:Originally Posted by theonlybull40's ??  that's a nice warm spring day here....   go from outside, at -23 (F) to inside at 80 (F) ....   talk about fog  lol
Reply:[QUOTE=rsohc;427124]What are some alternatives for reducing the fogging of the lens on the inside of my welding helmet?  I'm working on a project car and when I have to assume a contortionist position under the car, it typically takes about 2 seconds before my glasses and the helmet shield fogs up. Something about welding UP, body heat and sweat, I guess. I tried FOUR different anti-fog products that all GUARANTEED to keep glasses and face shields from fogging up. They're ALL crap. They made NO difference whatsoever. They didn't even delay the fogging!So I installed two small, 12 volt "muffin fans" onto my TIG helmet. They blow fresh air at my temple area and behind my glasses and the helmet shield. VIOLA! The fogging issue is GONE.Now I'm wondering how it is that the fogging issue isn't a common enough problem that the industry hasn't been producing these things for years!
Reply:Use the following Digikey parts or similar:Qty. (1)271-2683-NDAC/DC, 12VDC, 10W Power AdapterQty. (2)259-1353-ND40x40x20, 12VDC Sunon FanQty. (2)259-1623-NDFan GuardQty. (1)EG1889-NDRocker SwitchI had a couple of fans that I’d saved from some old electronic devices that had malfunctioned and been trashed. I like the Sunon “DR MagLev” fans because they are very quiet. Put the helmet on and lower it in place. Mark the helmet indicating the sides of your eyes or where the hinges of your glasses are. At those places, drill 1-3/8” holes (or whatever diameter your fans are) using a Unibit (or similar). Place the fans over the holes and mark the helmet for the fan mounting holes & then drill them for #8 machine screws. Mount the fans with the hardware that suits you. The rocker switch needs to also be mounted on either side of the helmet, near a pivot. Wire the fans, routing either the positive or negative through the switch and leaving a pigtail coming off the helmet near the pivot. You’ll probably want some sort of dismountable connector between the helmet and the power adapter, so you can use the helmet without the adapter when you don’t need it.
Reply:Originally Posted by greenbuggyWe sell some stuff at the ski hill I work at to keep your ski/snowboard goggles from fogging up.  Figure that is probably a better bet than rain-x as it was designed for plastic lenses.  Can't remember the brand offhand but it works well.
Reply:Im completely new to welding and this, is going to sound crazy as hell but try shaving cream. You can test it the next time you take a shower. Take some and rub it o  your mirror before you turn on the shower, rub it in till its crystal clear and then take your shower. It works for me but then again I live in Georgia.
Reply:I too use Rain-X from the local auto parts store.   It works on the clear safety glasses underneath the helmet as well.Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:antifog  could be as simple as breathing thru your nose rather than the mouth works for metrailblazer 302thunderbolt ac dc machine Hobart fluxcoreAHP tig 200x 2015
Reply:I set up a small fan right behind me. I use it on a heavy setting when stick welding to keep my head out of the fumes. When TIG or MIG welding, I put it on a lower setting and aim it up away from my work. Make sure its hitting you right in the back of the head..no fogging then.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:The trick is to get the inside of your hood hotter than your head.  Even the exhaust pipe of an engine drive welder works too. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPThe trick is to get the inside of your hood hotter than your head.  Even the exhaust pipe of an engine drive welder works too.
Reply:Maybe CEP didn't explain himself.  The first attack against fogging should be clean lenses and to preheat your helmet whenever not on your head.  Set it in front of a halogen or on top of a trouble light.Last edited by OldSparks; 12-14-2015 at 08:07 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by theMuckerThat is a unique idea. But I think my little fans will be more comfortable. :-)I use a six gallon plastic bucket. I put a LED work light in the bottom of the bucket 10-15 watts. I like to put the helmet in whenever I am not using it. My latest discovery is to cut a hole by my mouth in a thick good quality dust mask. It of course offers no lung protection, but redirects breath down. I find not cutting it causes air to exhale directly on the lens of the helmet. I'm a better welder when I can see.An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
Reply:On the job site, I hang my shield on a halogen lite to pre warm it.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:OK.. can't believe none of the pros here have stated this fix....I've tried all of the above, minus sh*t involving batteries...Get some Dawn liquid dish washing detergent, apply a very small amount to a rag corner, remove all lenses from helmet,  rub on both sides of all lenses...let dry for 5 min.. wipe clean with damp rag. re install lenses.. NO MORE FOGG.Miller TrailBlazer 251Miller HF-250-1Miller MaxStar 150 STLHyperTherm PowerMax 380 plasmaLincoln PowerMig 180Millermatic 252Miller Diversion 180
Reply:purchased in army surplus Attached Imagesi.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:If the Rain-Ex or heating up the helmet does not work, I will use one of my old full face CPAP masks (looks like a cheap fighter pilot mask) and run the hose under around to my back to get it out of the fumes. Let me know if I need to shoot a selfie to show what it looks like.LOLIn MHO if Miller, Theremal Arc/ESAB, or Lincolon sold the mask, it would cost 1/3 of what a medical device costs. Besides, since my Wife does not sleep in the garage and welders make noise, she say that I woke her up by sounding like Darth Vader.Last edited by warp2diesel; 01-10-2016 at 05:25 PM.
Reply:Yeah,And some hood/lid headgear allows for adjustment away from the face/nose/mouth, but many do not. Pictured below to the right is a Huntsman lid and head gear (my passive back-up lid), to the left is my new auto-darkening Antra lid, retro-fitted with an older Jackson #370 headgear. So, in addition to most headgear being able to adjust the hood drop height to help keep it away from mouth and nasal fogging a bit, headgear like the Jackson is also able to push the lid away from the face, which makes a significant difference between the two lids pictured below. And the Jackson headgear is under $20, with free shipping, when purchased from sellers other than Amazon, which may also prevent any needless extortion paid the the State cult, and that's always a good thing.http://www.amazon.com/Jackson-Safety...ckson+headgearLast edited by C. Livingstone; 01-10-2016 at 06:33 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by warp2dieselIf the Rain-Ex or heating up the helmet does not work, I will use one of my old full face CPAP masks (looks like a cheap fighter pilot mask) and run the hose under around to my back to get it out of the fumes. Let me know if I need to shoot a selfie to show what it looks like.LOLIn MHO if Miller, Theremal Arc/ESAB, or Lincolon sold the mask, it would cost 1/3 of what a medical device costs. Besides, since my Wife does not sleep in the garage and welders make noise, she say that I woke her up by sounding like Darth Vader.
Reply:You know, I'll bet somebody has actually used a snorkel under a lid to combat fogging. No, it wasn't me. Ha, ha, ha... Originally Posted by theMuckerWow. The Darth Vader sound effect sounds cool. But when I read through all these fixes for face shield fogging, I think I have stumbled on gold. Installing the tiny fans on the helmet keeps my face shield AND glasses from fogging up. And it's easier than putting my helmet in a bucket with a heat source or slathering it with goo from a potato or other STUFF.