Helmet lens fogging up - Does this happen with the high end helmets?

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I have a cheap Radnor AD helmet that I bought last year when I first dove into welding.  It has held up fairly well until recently.  The exterior lens (not the protective shield) fogs up almost instantly when welding in cold weather.  Within a minute it is dripping.  I am pretty sure that this is due to the poor seal between the helmet and the protective shield.  This is the only problem I have with this helmet.  It has been fine otherwise. My question is this:  Does this happen with the higher end helmets, like the Miller Digital Elite, Jackson NextGen EQC, Seedglas etc?If the answer is yes, how in the hell do you stop this from happening?If the answer is no, then I know what I am getting from Santa! -Brian
Reply:All helmets fog.Old time trick is to rub a freshly cut onion all over the inside of the helmet about once an hour.  Don't bother saving the onion, use a fresh one every time.
Reply:You can try one of those anti-fog cloths for ski goggles and see if that helps.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Rainex makes an antifog solution that you can apply to glass that prevents fogging. Autoparts shops like autozone advance/discount, napa, pep boys sell itCo-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:Originally Posted by specterRainex makes an antifog solution that you can apply to glass that prevents fogging. Autoparts shops like autozone advance/discount, napa, pep boys sell it
Reply:I've never had a problem with my Jackson.  A lot of it depends on the headgear, and how far away from your nose/mouth it keeps the lens cover.
Reply:Yeah my miller Digital Elite does it too..
Reply:Dont Breathe Yes Mine also fogs.
Reply:I don't think it is from my breath.  It is fogging between the exterior lens and the clear protective plate, not on the inside of the helmet.
Reply:huh, I ve never had mine fog up in there. Is it sealed up good?
Reply:Originally Posted by jreynoldsweldinghuh, I ve never had mine fog up in there. Is it sealed up good?
Reply:Originally Posted by WelderBCYeah my miller Digital Elite does it too..
Reply:Originally Posted by Brians_45I don't think it is from my breath.  It is fogging between the exterior lens and the clear protective plate, not on the inside of the helmet.
Reply:Forgot to add that it gets on the outward face of the lcd because there are gaps from the lock tabs that allow your breath to move forward around the inner facing side of the lcd and inner lens.
Reply:You might try backing off from your work a bit. I've never used any hood that didn't fog in cold weather. Even my pancake does it. Doesn't matter too much I wear glasses so it's always a problem in cold weather. I haven't used my new Jackson since it got cold enough to fog but think the problem you are having might be cured by it as the outer cover lens uses a gasket that seals on both sides of the lens.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:Originally Posted by Jolly RogerYou might try backing off from your work a bit. I've never used any hood that didn't fog in cold weather. Even my pancake does it. Doesn't matter too much I wear glasses so it's always a problem in cold weather. I haven't used my new Jackson since it got cold enough to fog but think the problem you are having might be cured by it as the outer cover lens uses a gasket that seals on both sides of the lens.
Reply:All you need to do is heat the shield up before using..Light bulb...Pre heated parts...Anything that gets warm...In the summer never a problem..Now it's getting cold...problem..You can wear it in the up position while you have your coffee in the A.M. before you start..The heat rising from your own noggin' will work if you have the time...Try a little heat....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:i buy the hard waxy sh*t they use on motorcycle helmet visors buy it  at the local harley shop,cant remember the name but it works.you rub it on like a crayon and wipe off (easier said than done sometimes) and your good for a day or three.FelonCaution lurker lives here" hmmm That is serious,pass the ganja and pick up a  24 of MGD"
Reply:Originally Posted by Felonyass Monki buy the hard waxy sh*t they use on motorcycle helmet visors buy it  at the local harley shop,cant remember the name but it works.you rub it on like a crayon and wipe off (easier said than done sometimes) and your good for a day or three.Felon
Reply:Originally Posted by weldbeadsave yer money. a dry bar of soap rubbed onto the offending surface and then wiped off leaves a coating of glycerin...no fog
Reply:You actually gave me an idea for a project to address this so thanks, if I can put it to paper and then mock up and get a running prototype working I'll post it on the forums here.
Reply:When I go outside or even in the cold garage, I hold my helmet infront of the heater for 30 seconds or so.  No fogging after that.  Keeps my face warm too.  It's the temp difference causing the fog.  Warm up the helmet so it's the same temp as your face or breath and the problem goes away.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Wonder what my miller will do when it's Minus 35 this year haha
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterAll you need to do is heat the shield up before using..Light bulb...Pre heated parts...Anything that gets warm...In the summer never a problem..Now it's getting cold...problem..You can wear it in the up position while you have your coffee in the A.M. before you start..The heat rising from your own noggin' will work if you have the time...Try a little heat....zap!
Reply:the only time i have this problem is when i whack my helmet on just set it up so your nose and mouth are not to close the the helmetPreheat helmet in front of a halogen light and an 'over the shoulder ' respirater.  No problems.
Reply:All my jacksons fog up, outside lens, inside lens, between the lenses..My speedglas autodark doesnt fog a bit..  Biggest problem I have had with the speedglas is it has a nice little dimple under the lens that collects my snot when my nose is running, and that turns to an ice drip..  Been welding past few days on fabbing a water truck tank, been -10 to +10 (thats with an F) with a bitchin' 25mph wind and snow.  Love that speedglas helmet.. Been used and abused for at least three winters,   Highly rec. the speedglas..
Reply:..I have a couple Auto-Dark units...they are Jackson...nice rubber seal all around the LCD unit...but I'm going with the other guys here....keep the whole headgear warm....I ran a shop in 10-20 degree wintere temps and never had a problem, just get the headgear warmed up...Dougspair
Reply:Originally Posted by Brians_45I have a cheap Radnor AD helmet that I bought last year when I first dove into welding.  It has held up fairly well until recently.  The exterior lens (not the protective shield) fogs up almost instantly when welding in cold weather.  Within a minute it is dripping.  I am pretty sure that this is due to the poor seal between the helmet and the protective shield.  This is the only problem I have with this helmet.  It has been fine otherwise. My question is this:  Does this happen with the higher end helmets, like the Miller Digital Elite, Jackson NextGen EQC, Seedglas etc?If the answer is yes, how in the hell do you stop this from happening?If the answer is no, then I know what I am getting from Santa! -Brian
Reply:I can fog up any hood but I've yet to have my 9100XX fog up. I imagine it's the design of the piece over your mouth that can accept a filter
Reply:This fogging drove me crazy so I found a very small electronics cooling fan approximately 1" square and added it to the inside of my helmet powered by a 9 volt battery and a small switch.  I had it aimed down just over my eyes and mounted on a aluminum plate.  Works great as long as you remember to turn it off when you're done.
Reply:Just let the lens fog up then "USE THE FORCE LUKE"   Feel the weld,  flow with it.  let the force control your hand.Yea didnt work for me either.I dont have a problem with my lens fogging but my glasses sure do.  if i go long enough my lens will fog also.I am actually glad to see this thread cause fogging has been a problem for me.  I saw a little fan mounted on a helmet up on top at the farm show once.  i wonder if this would help this situation to have some air movement inside the helmet.  i think the reason for the fan kit they were selling was to cool in the sumer but i dont see why this wouldnt help the fogging situation.
Reply:This winter I resorted to setting my helmet on top of a small space heater I have much like Zap.  Once warm the helmet would not fog up for over half an hour of welding.  I can breath all I want under the hood.
Reply:Originally Posted by Old FartAll helmets fog.Old time trick is to rub a freshly cut onion all over the inside of the helmet about once an hour.  Don't bother saving the onion, use a fresh one every time.
Reply:wear glasses, the helmet will be fine. The glasses will fog up instead.Tough as nails and damn near as smart
Reply:when warm air meets extremely cold air , it condensates (condensation)........the mask or lens needs to meet your body temperature.......or probably within 35 degrees.        thermal arc 252i  -  millermatic 350P -   miller XMT, cp300ts, 30a 22a feeders, buttload of other millers, handfull of lincolns, couple of esabs  -   Hypertherm 1250 G3
Reply:I've been fighting with my helmet fogging off and on as well.  I have a big lens auto helmet that is bad in that regard, as it fogs between the protector and the auto darkening element, and a cheap flip down helmet that isn't nearly as bad, mostly because the lens is small and away from my hot breath.  The advice from here that seems to work the best, is to leave the helmet on between welds so that my head keeps it warm, and the problem diminishes to nearly zero with both helmets.
Reply:Try breathing thru your nose so the warm air you exhale travels down and out of the helmet.                              MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:Originally Posted by weregeek  The advice from here that seems to work the best, is to leave the helmet on between welds so that my head keeps it warm, and the problem diminishes to nearly zero with both helmets.