How To Store Auto-Darkening Welding Helmets? Best Practices Revealed

Have you recently acquired an auto-darkening welding helmet, but are unsure how to store it properly? Improper storage can lead to costly repairs, like needing to replace the auto-darkening filter (ADF), sooner than you’d like. Keeping and handling your welding mask correctly is the key to extending its lifespan.

Thankfully, storing your welding hood safely isn’t rocket science – you just have to keep a few things in mind. Don’t worry; I’m going to walk you through them so that you know exactly how best to put away your helmet when it isn’t in use.

But before we dive into the specifics, let me know the DIFFICULTIES you face.

Now, as promised, I have listed my top 10 tips and tricks to help you store your gear, including ways to take care of the auto-darkening filter, different solutions, and do’s and don’ts. So, let’s begin!

1. CLEAN The Welding Lens Before Storage

I strongly recommend cleaning the lens BEFORE you store your auto-darkening welding helmet, even if the lens doesn’t appear dusty. Dirt, debris, and splatter can gradually accumulate over time, making it harder to remove without scratches.

Cleaning the lens is straightforward and should only take a couple of minutes. Simply use a blower to clear any visible dirt and then use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe it and if required, apply a lens cleaner solution for any stubborn bits of dirt stuck on the glass. As promised, here is a detailed guide on cleaning welding helmets.

2. Keep The Auto-darkening Filter Protected

The auto-darkening filter (ADF) is sensitive to UV rays and is the most delicate part of the helmet. So, it is crucial to protect it from dirt, scratches, liquid, and impact damages at all costs. Those welding helmets have two clear lenses on either side of the filter, covering both the inner and the outer sides.

However, if one of the lenses becomes scratched or, in the worst-case scenario, broken, it may take some time before you can get a replacement. So, guess what? It is essential to take special CARE of the filter and have SPARES.

Here are some more useful tips:

Keep your helmet in a safe place, away from objects that could scratch the ADF.

Handle it with care to prevent any impacts that could damage the filter.

Avoid exposing your helmet to extreme temperatures and direct sunlight for extended periods.

Regularly clean the ADF to prevent dirt and debris from accumulating on it.

3. Remove Batteries (Only For Longer Storage)

Removing the batteries adjacent to the ADF will be a smart move if you’re planning to store your self-darkening welding hood for an extended period. This prevents self-discharge and depletion, which could breach the battery’s insulating seals, corroding the compartment and connecting components of the helmet.

However, this is NOT necessary if you use your helmet every other day or even once a week. But if you plan to stop using it for a month or more, I will recommend removing the batteries until you’re ready. Understanding your frequency of use is the key here.

4. Build A Wall-Mounted Welding Helmet Rack

The best practice to store welding helmets is by hanging them on wall-mounted hooks by their headbands. I personally follow Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) in my workshop and apply 5S principles to keep every fabrication equipment, tools, and accessories at place- from masks to welder machines.

For auto-darkening welding helmets, we built a rack with 6 hooks mounted on the wall at a height of 5 feet from the floor. Not only is the rack easily identifiable and accessible, but it is also visually ATTRACTIVE as you can see in the following image.

Oliver, our workshop manager, regularly inspects the helmets and makes a weekly report so that I can take necessary action in time. We also have a storage cabinet to stock spare helmets and accessories. But, trust me, a wall-mounted hook rack is a game-changer, and there is no better option.

5. Alternative: Use A Welding Helmet Bag

If you TRAVEL to your workplace with your hood, I highly recommend getting a welding helmet bag. While a regular bag might suffice, those bags are tailored to the shape of the helmet, providing a better fit and offering necessary protection without being too heavy to carry.

What’s more? These bags safeguard the lens from SCRATCHES and the outer shell from IMPACT damage, while also keeping out sunlight. This ensures that the helmet remains in a shaded space at all times, even while being transported.

6. Ensure The Storage Area Is Dry

We store our auto-darkening helmets in a dry tool room to prevent moisture from corroding and damaging the internal components. In fact, you can use a dehumidifier in your working area to protect the mask from humidity while it is in use.

Although humidity is relatively high here in Ohio during the months of June, July, and August, the temperature remains pretty comfortable to work. This is why we can manage suitable conditions to keep our welding helmets.

7. Keep The Storeroom Cool And Dark

A common mistake that I have often seen welders make when working at open worksites is leaving their helmets right under the sun. Well, this is definitely a big NO.

You should keep your welding hood in a cool, dark place (or, low light) – especially if it’s auto-dimming. This is because excessive and constant exposure to sunlight (UV rays) not only mess up the sensors but also slowly wears out the helmet’s electronic components.

Most brands like Miller and Lincoln Electric have their welding helmets with this specified range of working temperatures:

Operating Temperature: 14°F to 131°F (-10°C to 55°C)

Storage Temperature: -4°F to 158°F (-20°C to 70°C)

As you can see, the range is quite broad on both ends, which means that those helmets can work well within these limits. But, when it comes to the best comfort and performance, I highly recommend keeping the OPTIMAL storage temperature between 50°F and 86°F (or, 10°C and 30°C).

Also Read: How Does An Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet Work?

8. Keep Away From Chemicals

Make sure to store your welding mask away from harsh chemicals, cleaning agents, and solvents. Exposure to such chemical agents can degrade the helmet’s materials, including the lens and even the shell.

This advice is particularly important to remember if you leave your welding helmet at a workshop like ours or other on-site locations, as these places may be cleaned using industrial-grade cleaning products or be at risk of chemical SPLILLAGE from containers.

9. Be Mindful Of Sharp Objects

Even if your helmet is securely placed in a bag that fits it perfectly, please make sure there are no sharp objects or edges nearby.

I remember an incident involving one of our apprentices in the workshop. He accidentally bumped his welding bag against the corner of a worktable, and the impact CRACKED the lens right in the middle, despite the protective bag.

So. stay cautious about sharp objects when handling or storing auto-darkening welding helmets. Provide sufficient padding and take care.

10. Follow The User Manual

Last but not least, review the company’s instructions regarding the storage of welding helmets and adhere to them precisely. Nobody knows a product better than its manufacturer, and if they have provided any recommendations, they have done so for a reason.

That’s why I insist on making it compulsory to read the user manual before using any helmet, even if welders are already familiar with how to use one. When you take out your helmet next time, make sure to test it before use, ensuring proper working conditions.