Taking care of your goggle system

By Andrew C. Syren and Kevin Cappon

Here at the Times, we have had many questions raised on how to properly care for your goggle system. Here is a short read for those who wish to understand how to well care for your mask. The methods used here have been tested by myself along with a fellow user on the forums. The products mentioned in this article are thought to be the best possible products for both cleaning and preventing fog. Other products may be used in place of these but the results may vary.

Here is what you will need:
-Toilet paper
-A soft clean cloth
-Can of Plexus lens cleaner
-Fogtech bottle or wipes-what ever you prefer

Prior to playing paintball, follow these directions to insure a clean and fog free mask:

Clean your mask’s lens inside and out with Plexus lens cleaner. A little goes a long way here guys so spray the cleaner conservatively. There’s no need to over spray and throw valuable paintball money down the drain.

Now with your soft cloth gently wipe the lens until its dry and streak free. You may need to do this for a minute or two periodically turning the cloth to a dry spot.  Your mask should be crystal clear and streak free. If you cannot get a hold of Plexus, then the next best solution should be a 50/50 mix of water and alcohol. Plexus is what we recommend for true clarity of your lens as water and alcohol may leave streaks.

Now apply a coat of Fogtech to the inside of your lens.  Apply the Fogtech as if you were “painting” a thin layer onto the inside of your mask. Don’t wipe it dry. It will dry crystal clear and may last well over a 4 hours, depending on your level of perspiration.

IMPORTANT: Do not get it wet, once it is dry!

Once Fogtech is applied to your mask do not get the inside of your mask wet with water. Fogtech has a chemical reaction to water and will need to be reapplied if it gets wet.

What about between games? The method used to clean and care for your goggles between games:

If you get gogged or have a lot of splatter from playing, wipe the lens first with a damp handful of toilet paper. Try to stay away from paper towel as it is more coarse and may scratch your lens. Be thorough in wiping the paint away from the lens, as you don’t want your cloth that is used along with the Plexus to pick up any paint.

If your cloth does get any paint on it, the Plexus will cause it to smear and will degrade the clarity of your lens. Now, once the paint is removed thoroughly, apply Plexus to the outside lens and wipe clear. Do not over spray your mask with Plexus, as you do not want the Plexus to interact with the Fogtech you have applied to the inside of your mask.

Wipe the lens clean the same way you would prior to play. Using this method of cleaning your mask between games will keep your lens free of any paint, which can cause the integrity of the lens to degrade over time.

Thoroughly cleaning your mask regularly will insure that your mask will last much longer thus keeping your eye protection in good condition. Maintaining your gear such as your mask is an excellent way to play it safe while enjoying the sport of paintball, and playing it safe will keep you in the game for years to come.