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Post by Bluefront on Oct 5, 2010 7:50:53 GMT -5
More cold weather stuff....there are all sorts of face masks/coverings for scooter riding in cold weather. But almost all will fog up your face shield and glasses if you use them. I cannot wear a full-face helmet, due to the glasses problem.......so I use a 3/4 helmet with a flip-up shield. This setup does fog up in cold weather, so I have to flip up the shield frequently. There are "breath boxes" out there that supposedly prevent fogging.....I haven't found any I tried, to work very well, or at all. Here's a DIY setup you might try.....it works very well in cold weather, plus it keeps the cold wind off your face. Start off with a good brand/type of face mask. The more expensive versions will hold up better, and seal better. This one from Walgreen's cost 2 for $5. The DIY part involves covering the top part of the mask with something that prevents your exhaled breath from going upward.....foam and Vinyl tape in this case. The small hole facing downward, provides an easy path for your breath to go down and away from your glasses and face shield. I glued the lower edges to prevent the tape from curling up. You may have to experiment with the materials and the size/location of the hole......but it works. Try it.......
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Post by trudat on Feb 3, 2011 16:08:35 GMT -5
The best thing I found for a fogging visor is to take dish liquid soap wash and dry and then and coat the visor in it. Let it setup like you would wax (I thank wax might work also but have not tried it) then polish off do not wash off, and you are now good to go for about a week or so of 90% fog free riding.
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Post by edfr on Feb 3, 2011 16:26:07 GMT -5
HAHAHA!! Got to tell you I would not be caught dead wearing that face mask. Half face ski masks are the way to go, they cover your chicks, under your chin and most of your nose and they are not expensive at all. Lefty
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Post by Bong on Feb 3, 2011 16:35:08 GMT -5
Why not use a Bandanna?
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Post by edfr on Feb 3, 2011 17:19:51 GMT -5
There you go Bong, that is what the Cowpokes wear all the time, winter, dusty areas and what not. Lefty
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Post by Bluefront on Feb 3, 2011 17:23:20 GMT -5
I've been through all sorts of face/nose covering devices, when riding in cold weather. Without exception they cause your breath to exit the device in a upward direction.....that's what causes your face shield, glasses, or goggles to fog up, particularly when stopped or riding slowly.
The idea with this device is to cause your breath to exit downward....and to avoid most of the fogging. Try it out.....it's a cheap experiment. When it's cold outside.....any solution goes.
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Post by edfr on Feb 3, 2011 17:28:43 GMT -5
It is cheap alright, I will give you that but will look like a Drock with that thing on. You want to look cool and good for the ladies Lefty
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Post by checker on Feb 4, 2011 22:00:09 GMT -5
I use a Zan Neodanna like the one pictured below which cost about 10 bucks. Like the OP's idea of directing your breathing downward, it is designed to do just that and the face covering part is made out of Neoprene to hold in the heat. Works pretty good, not perfect but pretty good without feeling like you have a pile of junk on your face.
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Post by apittington on Feb 5, 2011 1:06:43 GMT -5
Checker, where can I get one of those?
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Post by Bluefront on Feb 5, 2011 4:41:13 GMT -5
The big problem with face coverings as I've said, is preventing your exhaled breath from going upward and fogging things up. The better face masks like the picture in the OP, have that little built-in aluminum strip that can be adjusted to an exact fit around your nose. These masks are are all not created equal.....some simply fit/seal better than others around your nose, and around the rest of your face. The more expensive versions really do a better job (if you call $2.50 expensive). None of the various cycle/scooter masks I've seen, have that adjustable strip/seal around your nose. So getting one that actually fits your particular face/nose size will be a problem. The idea with this device is to protect your face as well as possible, and at the same time prevent fogging up. Looks.......the device shown in the OP is the prototype for a face mask that works for scooter use, in cold weather. There's nothing to prevent someone from changing the looks of the thing using fabric dye or something else. Myself.....I would be more concerned about how well it works, rather than how it looks. I've got a bunch of cycle face masks in a box.....none of which work as well as this cheap device when the temp is below 30 degrees.
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Post by edfr on Feb 5, 2011 14:21:41 GMT -5
Give it up, nobody would be caught dead wearing that Lefty
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Post by ncredleg on Feb 5, 2011 14:56:17 GMT -5
I`d try it . Like the man said, It can be modded with fabric dye as well as fabric itself. Too much negativity here,starting to sound like MopedArmy.
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Post by edfr on Feb 5, 2011 15:05:19 GMT -5
No it is not negativity at all, to each his own, some will wear it and some won't. If I saw someone wearing that First thought would be he is sick and I would not want to go near him for fear of catching whatever he has. So you can see what the ladies would do, they would run like the dickens the other way when you really wanted them to jump on the back and ride into the sunset. Its just a manly thing, you know Lefty
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Post by ncredleg on Feb 5, 2011 15:28:48 GMT -5
Not trolling , but sometimes if someone can not find something positive to say about a harmless thing it is better to remain silent . Possibly he thought of those issues and still decided to follow up on it. Negative comments would be irrelevant to what he thought about the concept. As was stated it can be dyed to cover up the stark whiteness of it, just like I can get a tan ;D. Yes , balaklavas can be bought that would protect your face ,I have one and it does cause my glasses to fog badly.I am thinking of wearing one of those masks under what I have as a seal.That way not too much of the mad scientist look.
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Post by edfr on Feb 5, 2011 22:47:11 GMT -5
Ok I will be positive, if the shoe fits wear it, is that positive enough.
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Post by Bluefront on Feb 6, 2011 9:07:32 GMT -5
FWIW....after reading a bunch of posts on the subject of fogging, I've come to the conclusion many scooter riders either don't have the problem for whatever reason, or simply don't ride in cold enough temperatures to experience it. I think fogging is likely to occur at the same temperature as when you can see your breath......around 54F and lower, if I remember correctly. The humidity also has a big effect.
Add to that the type of helmet/face-shield you use, whether or not you wear glasses, how hard you breath, and other factors......and you may experience severe fogging, unlike the next guy. This is an extreme safety issue, since fogging can happen rapidly under various weather/riding conditions.
I can flip-up my face shield rapidly while riding along, but I always wear glasses, and usually goggles under the face shield in colder temperatures. Those cannot be cleared of fogging easily while moving. So...I do all I can to prevent any sort of fogging ahead of time. And the extent of these measures varies with the weather. In very cold temps under high moisture conditions, I either go all out with radical face protection (damn the looks), or brave the cold without much protection and severely limit the length of my riding.
It's a safety thing, as well as a comfort thing. If you're not affected by these fogging issues.....consider yourself lucky.
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Post by capncrunch on Feb 16, 2011 9:03:59 GMT -5
I have a neoprene full face mask that I wear in the cold weather that I wear in conjunction with my goggles. Due to the construction of my goggles I am fog free. Bobster makes amazing goggles that are inexpensive and allow for free flow of air in them so that fogging does not occur. I bought both items for 10 bux each and know that I can reuse them again and again. Although this idea is a good one I think that it would be fair to say that this would not stand the test of time, making it actually a more expensive option. What you are looking at it is the initial investment and not the actual investment, big difference. For your setup, a 3/4 helmet with flip-up shield, Im sure this works very well. I applaud you in your ingenuity. I use a half helmet with above combo, I am always warm, fog free, and happy. Different strokes. Thanks for the post and a new idea.
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Post by datmarkson on Jun 30, 2011 2:31:27 GMT -5
Slit open a fresh juicy aloe leaf and extract the thick pulp. Mash it well. You might also mix a tsp of glycerin in this aloe gel for getting an extra lubricating mask. Apply it to your face and neck and leave on for 10-12 minutes. Some people are allergic to fresh aloe-gel, they might experience some itching and discomfort. If that is the case with you, then don’t use it. Cold Weather MaskSnowboard Masks
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Post by justbuggin on Jun 30, 2011 2:41:07 GMT -5
does the guy have the swine flu
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Post by Bluefront on Jun 30, 2011 4:34:40 GMT -5
There's a design flaw with every one of those masks from the links.....they trap your breath behind the mask, which fogs up your glasses (badly). It will also fog up a face shield.....very dangerous conditions.
As far as anything applied to your face or glasses/shield preventing fogging......nothing I've ever tried has worked. Online searches on the subject will mostly give you the same answer. Anti-fog sprays or wipe-on stuff.....simply is a waste of time/money.
What works to prevent fogging......sufficient airflow which is very uncomfortable in cold weather. Or a face-mask design which routes all your exhaled breath away from your glasses or face-shield.
The alternative is a flip-up face shield which you use constantly while riding.....even then it's a big hassle.
You actually have to try out whatever setup you make/buy in cold/damp weather, before you come to any conclusions......most of these setups simply don't work well.
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Post by asiny on Jun 30, 2011 7:45:11 GMT -5
I 2nd checker's face mask - I did a LOT of cold-weather riding (try 5 mile round-trip in NJ winter). What this facemask does is form-fit around your mouth, and nose, causing what the OP is looking for - the seal to stop your breath from traveling upwards.
The one I owner was without the 'serial killer shroud' and worked great - this was in NJ winter or NJ summers ;D
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Post by mainepeace on Jun 30, 2011 19:17:37 GMT -5
I used to fog up the faceshield of my old helmet, since it extended below the tip of my nose. My new helmet has a cutout for the nose and I have not experienced any fogging at all. It's all in the design.
Greg
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Post by noday on Jun 30, 2011 19:25:07 GMT -5
I solved this 25 yrs ago.
move to Florida
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Post by mainepeace on Jun 30, 2011 19:28:53 GMT -5
Funny, last time my parents vacationed down there, it was colder in Florida than here in Maine!
Greg
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Post by noday on Jun 30, 2011 20:03:09 GMT -5
must have been an inversion year.
I keep telling the Governor to retime the valves & header diameter for Mainites, but he never listens.
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Post by dudley on Jun 30, 2011 20:51:49 GMT -5
i took the face shield off my 3/4 helmet because of fogging. bought a pair of inexpensive safety glasses instead. they are crystal clear but have uv protection and fit close enough to keep debris/bugs out of my eyes.http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/215uqhwaUhL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
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Post by dudley on Jun 30, 2011 20:53:25 GMT -5
well that didnt work. thay are sas 5340 safety glasses.
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Post by feralsparky on Jul 13, 2011 14:18:48 GMT -5
well that didnt work. thay are sas 5340 safety glasses. Ever think of getting a Fog insert for your helmet?
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Post by wutzthedeal on Oct 13, 2012 3:08:47 GMT -5
Your idea is awesome, bluefront; let the haters hate. I often ride in the middle of the night and I've tried several methods (anti-fog spray, the facemasks which are great for warmth but do nothing for fogging, soap, shaving cream, etc.) and the only convincing ones seem to be the inserts (pinhole or Fog City) or something that diverts the breath away from up/out (ie. down or back, near the ears). Yours is guaranteed the least expensive to get the job done. Well done. I might even add either a small hose to drop lower from the mouth cut-out or do two/three/four small holes, instead, with small pieces of straw pointing down or full straws (bendies) running down and back.
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