Throughout my extensive tenure in the welding industry, I’ve noticed a recurrent issue: many welders neglect PROPER CARE for their helmets. While they are designed to shield you during welding, their durability hinges on how you upkeep them.
Keep in mind, the sooner your hood wears out, the sooner you’ll need a new one. Skipping CLEANING and MAINTENANCE can lead to damage and extra costs for repairs. How about we team up and show your welding helmet the attention it needs?
Cleaning The Cover Lens Of Welding Helmets
It’s not shocking that the cover lens needs the most cleaning since any dirt on it can really mess with your visibility. Plus, its spot puts it right in the line of fire for weld splatter, dust, smoke, and scratches. There are a few methods to refurbish the cover lens of welding helmets, but personally, I find buffing wheels work best.
Step-by-step Guide To Clean Lens Cover
To tackle this method, you’ll need to grab a buffing wheel and some buffing compound, but let me tell you, it’s a worthwhile investment. Just make sure you opt for the compound in cake form.
Put on safety glasses and attach the buffing wheel to a grinder or drill. Then, switch it on.
Once it’s up and spinning, apply a small amount of buffing compound to the wheel.
With the buffing compound applied, carefully hold the dirty cover lens of your welding helmet against the spinning wheel.
Move the lens around gently to ensure thorough cleaning. Apply just enough pressure for effective buffing.
With this method, it typically takes just a couple of minutes to remove any weld splatter and polish out scratches on the lens. In case it is not recoverable, just replace the lens with a new one.
The final step really seals the deal on why I favor this cleaning approach for welding lenses. This method is a TIMESAVER and EFFICIENT, especially in a bustling fabrication shop like mine. Buffing away those scratches is the icing on the cake, extending the lens’s usability.
Just remember, as the lens ages and wears down, there may come a point where buffing out the scratches becomes impossible. Here is a nice video detailing this process-
Alternative Methods To Clean Cover Lens
If you don’t have a buffing wheel or prefer not to invest in one, there are alternative methods you can try using rubbing compound or polish.
A. Using Rubbing Compound
This method is simple. Start by applying a few drops of rubbing compound, commonly used for final car paint polishing, onto the lens of your welding helmet. Then, use a terry or microfiber cloth to gently rub the lens, removing any grime.
Once the lens is clean, apply a bit more compound and gently rub it with a SOFT cloth to tackle minor scratches. Make sure to use a fine-grit rubbing compound to avoid worsening the abrasions. After the compound dries, wipe away any residue with the cloth to prevent cloudiness on the lens.
B. Applying Polishes
You can also use common wax-based polishes, like those used for furniture and cars, to clean a welding hood cover lens. Wiping the lens with it not only eliminates dirt but also leaves behind a protective layer, guarding against scratches. In my experience, applying polish can also mitigate fogging and smudging. Here are more defogging solutions, if that’s what troubles you.
You don’t have to choose between polish and other methods for your helmet; you can use it in conjunction with another cleaning technique. For instance, after refurbishing the lens through another method, you can apply a quick polish to take advantage of its protective and anti-fogging properties.
I usually polish my welding mask’s cover lens with the Novus kit (cleaner and scratch remover) after buffing it. Trust me, it’s a game-changer.
C. Utilizing Tap Water
Sometimes, you might find yourself lacking the proper cleaning products for your hood. No need to fret – plain water can partially solve the problem. While it may not be as effective as other methods and won’t address scratches, it will rid the lens of DIRT and GRIME. Simply wash the lens gently with water and wipe it clean with a soft paper tissue or cloth.
You can also watch this video for this cleaning method:
But, How To Clean Auto-darkening Lenses Without Scratching?
If you use your welding helmet every day for hours, cleaning the cover lens might not be enough to maintain clear visibility. You may also need to maintain the auto-darkening filter (ADF) once in a while to eliminate any dirt or grease build up on it.
Here’s my recommended approach:
STEP 1
Begin by carefully removing the auto-darkening filter from the hood. Handle it with utmost care, as it’s prone to developing scratches.
STEP 2
For a safer cleaning method that won’t scratch the lens of your auto-darkening welding helmet, use compressed air to blow away dust particles. This eliminates any risk of scratches since the lens won’t come into contact with physical objects. Keep in mind, though, that this method works best for dry dust and may not be as effective for moist or greasy residues.
STEP 3
Next, use a soft microfiber cloth to wipe down the entire surface of the ADF.
STEP 4
If the cloth alone doesn’t provide sufficient cleaning (in step 3), you can spray it with a mild, non-corrosive liquid cleaner before wiping.
That’s about it – this should take care of any minor dirt buildup on the ADF of the auto-darkening helmet. Remember, gentle handling is key to avoiding scratching the surface. I learned that lesson the hard way myself. While it’s fine to spray cleaner onto the cloth, avoid directly spraying any liquid onto the welding glass.
Maintaining The Rest Of The Helmet
While cleaning the cover lens is crucial, it’s important not to forget about the rest of the helmet.
I usually start by wiping down the EXTERIOR SHELL with a cloth and some warm water to get rid of any grime. If there are stubborn spots, I’ll use a bit of rubbing compound, degreaser, or mild soap to tackle them. Every now and then, I like to give the shells of my welding hoods a good polish to keep them looking sleek and new.
The KNOBS can also get pretty dirty, especially in their grooves. I make sure to clean them thoroughly with a brush and a wet cloth every once in a while.
Two other welding helmet parts that often need attention are the HEADBAND and SWEATBAND. These absorb a lot of sweat and can also pick up dirt and smoke. I usually detach them both and give them a thorough wash with soap every couple of weeks.
Also Recommended: Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet Troubleshooting Tips
How To Clean Welding Hoods When Sharing?
If you plan to share a welding helmet with others, you should disinfect it properly before use. We keep a sodium hypochlorite solution (compound summary) with a concentration of 5,000 ppm at our workshop, but you can also use other similar disinfectants.
We follow these steps to clean our common welding masks:
- First, DAMPEN a soft cloth with the disinfectant and use it to WIPE down the surface of your welding helmet.
- Allow the disinfectant to remain on the surface for a specified period, known as the CONTACT TIME. For the sodium hypochlorite solution we use, it’s recommended to maintain a contact time of 1 minute. Follow any instructions provided by the manufacturer for other disinfectants.
- Once the contact time has elapsed, use a separate soft cloth dampened with clean water to wipe away the disinfectant. Avoid washing an auto-darkening helmet directly under running water, as this can potentially damage the electronics. Instead, rinse the cloth several times to ensure effective removal of the disinfectant when sharing with other welders.
- Ensure the welding hood is completely dry before using it again or storing it away. It’s best to air-dry the helmet in a clean environment at a maximum temperature of 120 °F (49°C).
Welding Helmet Care: PRO TIPS
Now that you’ve mastered the art of refurbishing your welding mask, let me offer some essential tips for keeping it in top-notch condition- exclusive from my own experience. Proper maintenance is key to preserving the helmet’s functionality and prolonging its lifespan.
Regular Inspections: Check your helmet for any signs of wear and tear, such as cracks, dents, or other damage. While you’re at it, assess whether the hood requires a deep clean or if a simple wipe-down will suffice.
Periodic Replacements: Pay close attention to every component and accessories of welding helmets, from the knobs to the sweatband. Promptly replace any damaged parts to ensure proper functionality and comfort. For example, a worn-out sweatband can make wearing the hood uncomfortable, as you’ll feel the hard interior of the shell against your forehead.
Cleaning Hard-to-Reach Areas: Check for hidden dirt and grime in the cracks and grooves of your helmet. Avoid using water or cleaning agents near the interior electronic panel, but a soft-bristled brush or compressed air can effectively remove debris.
Proper Storage: Store your welding helmet in a bag or designated area free from dust and other contaminants. Opt for dry environments for storage, as excess humidity can damage electronic or metal components.
Clean Hands Before Use: Before handling the helmet, ensure your hands are clean and free from dirt and grease, especially around the lens area. Even a small smudge can impair visibility.
Avoid Extreme Conditions: Keep your hood away from extreme temperatures and corrosive environments, as abrasive materials, harsh chemicals, and severe temperatures can accelerate wear and tear.
Anti-Static Measures: Did you know that static electricity buildup can cause dust to cling to your welding helmet’s surface? Consider applying an anti-static spray to repel dust particles if you frequently encounter this issue, particularly in dry environments.
