How to Properly Clean a Welding Helmet Lens

It is fair to say that there is no piece of welding safety equipment that is more recognizable or essential than a welding helmet.

Whether you are a master welder, a hobbyist, just starting out, chances are you recognize a welding helmet and likewise recognize just how important it is from a safety perspective to know how to clean your welding helmet lens.

No one wants to think about the heat and sparks generated from welding flying up and hitting them in the face.

How to properly clean your welding helmet lens? You want to make sure that you clean it as gently as possible with anti-static with UV protectant lens cleaning microfiber towel and you can also use cleaning spray, however, you need to make sure you do not scratch the sensitive lens.

Follow these basic steps to make sure you get it right.

Steps	What to do
1	remove debris with a brush
2	check the helmet
3	disinfect the lens surface
4	wipe Off
5	dry the helmet
6	check the functionality

Table of Contents

A Couple of Precautionary Notes

Those sparks, that heat, and all the soot, ash, and particulates they kick up can leave your welding helmet’s lens dirty. You cannot weld if you cannot see what you’re welding, so finding a way to keep that lens clean and, thus, your vision clear while welding is essential.

While you need to clean your helmet lens, you need to make sure that you don’t damage it in the process. With that in mind, you’ll need to take a few basic precautionary steps:

Despite the fact that welding helmets are quite sturdy, the lenses can be surprisingly delicate. As such, you don’t want to hold the middle of it. Instead, you’ll want to hold it gently by the edges.

Be very careful when cleaning your lenses with cleaner. Even a light spritz of cleaner and pressure from your towel and hand can be enough to scratch them

Step 1: Smooth the Lens with a Brush

You don’t want to jump right into the cleaning process. Instead, you want to start a bit lighter and brush away any loose debris with a brush.

You do this so as to make sure that you don’t accidentally scratch the lenses. While you’re there, you might also want to brush any loose debris away from the vents and inner part of the helmet.

How to Clean Welding Lenses >> Tutorial Video

Step 2: Review its Condition

Think you’re ready to start cleaning the lens now?

Think again.

Before you do that, you’ll want to take a closer look at the helmet to review its overall condition. You don’t want to go through all the trouble of cleaning it only to miss some other flaw in the helmet.

For example, all those sparks may have taken their toll and your helmet is starting to weaken in a few places.

Maybe in the course of work one of the screws has started to come loose. Or maybe your lens is already cracked. These are all obviously the kind of flaws you want to detect before you put your helmet on for welding, so look for them while cleaning it.

Step 3: Disinfect Your Helmet

Ready now?

Not so fast.

It can get hot and sweaty in your helmet while you’re in “the heat of the moment” working on a welding task, and that heat and moisture doesn’t just go away.

A buildup of moisture is unpleasant itself, but it can also create the perfect breeding ground for germs.

Neither are good for lens visibility or your overall health and safety while wearing the helmet. As such, you’ll want to take this opportunity to disinfect it.

Look through different options online for disinfectants that are strong enough to tackle germs without falling into the same trap of being too strong for the lens itself.

Step 4: Wipe Off the Surface

OK, now you’re finally ready to start cleaning your helmet.

Different aspects of your helmet lens will need different amounts of attention. For example, the helmet shell itself should be pretty sturdy, so you shouldn’t need to give it too much extra care.

By contrast, the auto darkening part of your lens is one of the most sensitive, and not something you want to scratch. You, therefore, want to make sure that you clean it as gently as possible with an anti-static with UV protectant lens cleaning microfiber towel. Press very gently and work very slowly and smoothly.

Step 5: Dry Your Helmet

If you notice any leftover moisture on the lens, do not let it simply set there. You don’t want it dotting the lens. Instead, you should absorb it. A kitchen or bathroom towel can work fine for this process, but once again, be extremely gentle.

These towels are likely thicker and rougher than what you used to clean the lens with. Don’t use them for extra wiping, but just for a little extra absorption if necessary.

Step 6: Final Inspection and Tips

Before you put your helmet away, take some time to review its condition. As stated, lenses can be very delicate, so still grab it by the edges only.

Different helmets might require specialized cleaning procedures. So, read your helmet’s user manual before cleaning your helmet.

A few other tips to keep in mind while cleaning your lens:

If your welding helmet is battery powered, remove the batteries before cleaning it.
If the welding helmet is solar powered, you need to be even more gentle when dealing with it, as these are especially sensitive to light and heat.
If your helmet’s lens is multilayered, you should remove each section and clean them all separately. Once again, be very gentle in removing and replacing each layer.

There is a lot more to cleaning your welding helmet’s lens than you might imagine. What’s more, for such a durable piece of equipment in such a tough industry, you may be surprised with how gentle you have to be.

That said, you don’t want to deal with the consequences of handling it roughly.

By following this guide for how to clean a welding helmet lens, you can keep it in good shape for years to come.

How to Properly Clean a Welding Helmet Lens – Fast and Easy