Welding helmets play a vital role in welding and keep your face, head, and respiratory system safe as you weld. Clean your welding helmet properly to ensure it serves its purpose well and remains in the best condition.
Welding helmets get dirt because of the buildup of fumes and smokes and allows you to weld safely. Clean the welding helmet daily to protect it from damage and keep its quality.
Most people disregard cleaning their helmets because of inconvenience, but it doesn’t have to be an inconveniencing task. Regular maintenance increases the lifespan.
Most welders don’t know that their welding helmets need regular cleaning. Doesn’t matter if you are a hobbyist or master, you should know how to clean welding helmet lenses and other parts.
What should you Use to Clean your Welding Helmet Lens?
Clean the helmet lens as gently as possible using anti-static UV protectant lens cleaning or microfiber towel or you can use a cleaning spray. Clean gently to avoid scratching the sensitive lens.
What makes Welding Helmet Lens Dirty?
Sparks from the welding heat raise ash and soot, which leave the lens of the welding helmet dirty. A dirty helmet lens means you can’t see properly when welding.
Strive to keep the lenses clean to get a clear vision as you weld. The lenses are delicate and need gentle handling to avoid damaging them.
Hold the edges gently when cleaning. Exercise care when cleaning the lenses with a cleaner as pressure and a light spritz from the towel or your hand can scratch them.
Cleaning Welding Helmet Lens
Step 1: Wipe the Lens Surface with a Brush
Start light by using a brush to wipe the surface to remove loose debris. Be careful not to scratch the lens accidentally.
Also, brush away loose debris from the inner parts and vents of your helmet.
If you haven’t cleaned the lens for a long time, then ensure you brush the welding helmet thoroughly or use a multi-purpose brush. Clean thoroughly to ensure you don’t miss any spots or you can use a multipurpose brush.
The small brush cleaners can handle sensitive parts like lens without damaging your helmet.
Step 2: Disinfect the Welding Helmet
Your welding helmet can trap heat and moisture because you work in a sweaty and hot environment when welding. The moisture doesn’t go away easily and buildup creating a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and germs.
Poor lens visibility affects your safety and health, hence the reason for disinfecting the helmet. Use a disinfectant that is both strong and can handle the germs without damaging the lens.
Step 3: Wipe the Welding Helmet Surface
Use kitchen paper to gently wipe clean the surface of your helmet to remove dirt and loose debris. You can use slightly wet paper that can absorb excess moisture well.
Different parts need different attention. For instance, the helmet shell is very sturdy, making it easy to clean, but do it with extra care.
Auto-darkening is very sensitive and requires gentle cleaning, smoothly and slowly to avoid scratching the lens.
Step 4: Dry the Lens
Use a microfiber fabric to wipe off any attached particles. The remaining attached particles easily come off, leaving the lens clean.
Dry your lens in a clean place. Leftover moisture can dot the moisture which affects visibility. You can use a bathroom or kitchen towel to eliminate leftover moisture and be extremely gentle.
The towels are rougher and thicker, which means you don’t use them for extra wiping. The little adsorbent they provide is enough.
Step 5: Inspect the Welding Helmet and Lens
Review the condition of the helmet and examine the status of the lens delicately. Only hold the edges while inspecting.
Some helmets require specialized procedures when cleaning, read the user manual before you start cleaning.
Safety Precautions when Cleaning the Helmet Lens
Observe all precautions when cleaning your helmet lens to uphold safety and health.
- Don’t touch the opaque lens surface using your fingers
- Handle the lens coating with double care
- Rub the lens gently with a microfiber cloth to avoid abrasion or scratching the lens
- Ensure the helmet lens is uniformly dry to avoid leftover moisture.
- Always read the user manual guidelines before cleaning
- Remove helmet batteries before cleaning
- Take extra measures if your lens has a protective layer
How regularly should you clean the welding helmet lens?
The helmet lens needs a thorough cleaning, which should be done daily or after every 2 – 3 days. The frequency of cleaning varies depending on how frequently you use the helmet and workplace.
Clean the welding helmet lens immediately when the vision is blurry. Follow the user manual instructions on the frequency of cleaning to protect your helmet lens and ensure you enjoy the best visibility.
How do you keep your Welding Helmet from Fogging up?
Even experienced welders have problems with lenses fogging up as they work. The problem can render a welder effectively blind and prevent them from welding properly. The following approaches will prevent your welding helmet lenses from fogging up.
- Dip a soft cloth on shampoo and gently wipe the back and front of your lenses. Ensure you cover the whole lens, then rinse off with water while leaving the film coating in place.
- Use shaving cream to prevent moisture from your breathing fogging up your lens and affecting visibility.
- Use toothpaste, it also works for car headlights.
- Adjust your mask distance to allow the moisture from your breath to dissipate. Don’t adjust too much as toxic fumes from your weld can get to your face.
- Get a ventilator to prevent air from fogging up because it’s eliminated by a motor-powered ventilation system.
- Use anti-fogging cream or film to prevent fogging.
What do colored lenses in welding helmets protect against
The colored lenses protect your eyes, neck, and face from flash burns, sparks, ultraviolet light, heat, and infrared light. The colored lenses prevent arc eye, a condition that is painful and leaves your cornea inflamed.
How do you Select a Welding Lens?
The clear plastic offers impact protection of the lens from sparks, fumes, and dust.
The lens shading strength determines the darkness of the lens. The shading range from 4 to 13 with 4 being the lowest shade and 13 the darkest shade. Lens shade 13 is perfect for welding. To learn more visit this site.
However, most people prefer auto-darkening lenses that adjust with the lighting to protect your eyes. You can also manually adjust the lens shade to your liking and enjoy greater flexibility.
How do you Paint a Welding Helmet?
Spray painting is the best choice and is far easier to do. Besides, spray paint doesn’t leave unwanted or unsightly streaks on your helmet. The whole process takes 5-10 minutes to complete. Using a paintbrush will take you an hour at least to finish.
Bottom Line
Now as you know how to clean a welding helmet lens I hope you will find the cleaning process less cumbersome and clean it more frequently for better visibility and longevity. A clean lens increases visibility when welding that can affect your weld piece.
The cleaning steps above can handle any welding helmet lens. You can also use lens cleaning tips specific to your helmet because some helmets have variations in cleaning guidelines. Skim through the user manual to instructions on how to clean your welding helmet lens.
Keep that hood down!
