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Comment
Ian
Ian Morris
Mar 21, 2009 10:22 PM
I had an epiphany...
Oakley no longer sells their hydrophobic lens treatment, but someone else does; Rain-X. If it works on windshields, why wouldn't it work on lenses? I've got some extra sets of lenses lying around, and I think I'll try that today. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Oak
Twenty Fifty
Mar 21, 2009 10:37 PM
It's a good idea. I don't think anyone's tried it and reported it back here, but the thought has occured a long while back. Here's some threads that may help you before you move ahead and try it:

http://www.o-review.com/portal_detail.asp?ID=7655
http://www.o-review.com/portal_detail.asp?ID=1108

Let us know how it goes if you go through with it.
Ian
Ian Morris
Mar 21, 2009 10:54 PM
So, just for grins, I went on the Oakley site and found the Water Jacket Replacement Solution. It recharges lenses that already have the hydrophobic coating, so I assume that means it works for Flak Jackets, Radars, etc. I called to ask about this, and the rep told me my best bet was the Hydrophobic Treatment itself, and said that it is due to be re-released any day now. Apparently there were some quality control issues with the first batch, and that's why it was yanked from the shelves.
TheVault
Eric Arsenault
Mar 21, 2009 11:56 PM
Good to know, thanks for the info Ian.
Ian
Ian Morris
Mar 22, 2009 2:36 AM
Preliminary results:

I took my extra Gascan Bronze Lenses and washed one with mild dish soap and water. I dried it off, and used Rain-X Wipes to treat both sides of the lens. After drying them and polishing them, I held both the non-treated and Rain-X lens under the tap, and then held them up to a light to check the hydrophobic-ness of the Rain-X lens. Both seemed the same. The big difference came when I blew the lenses to "scatter" the water. The Rain-X side dispersed water better, and did not fog like the untreated lens. When I repeated the "blow" test, the Rain-X lens did fog slightly, but the fogging dissipated quickly. Success!

There are two caveats to this first-of-many tests:
1. Rain-X is denatured alcohol, and says right on the bottle that it should not be used on plastics. (I have not noticed any possibly negative effects, but will post any if I do.)
2. This was on a Bronze Lens. There was no Iridium coating, and there was no Polarization screen. I'll let everyone know the effects of Rain-X on Black Iridium Polarized Lenses shortly....
Ian
Ian Morris
Mar 22, 2009 2:21 AM
After letting water sit on the lenses for 5 minutes, I checked on them. The Rain-X lens did not have any water droplets, while the untreated lens did. Also, I noticed finger smudges on the untreated lens, but none on the treated lens. I touched both lenses and wiped off the fingerprint. The fingerprint on the treated lens wiped off effortlessly with an Oakley microfiber bag, while the untreated lens smudged a bit and took a bit more work. No haziness or scratching is apparent on either of the lenses as yet.
Ian
Ian Morris
Mar 22, 2009 2:35 AM
I just finished with my Black Iridium Polarized Gascan lenses, and the after-effect was the same. Clarity is unaffected. There was no smudging or scratching of either the Iridium coating or the Polarization screen. I'm extremely happy with my now-hydrophobic Polarized Soviet Gascans. Time and resources permitting, I will start treating the rest of my collection.

Last thoughts:
I removed the lenses from the glasses to treat them, and I would not recommend leaving them in a frame, especially FMJ frames, since them look for any excuse to peel.
Oakley is reintroducing their Hydrophobic treatment very soon, and we all know that Oakley products are superior, so I would still recommend their treatment over Rain-X. With that, a pack of Rain-X wipes can do at least 50 glasses, for only about $5, total. Much cheaper than Oakley, but the quality difference is unknown at this time.
Oak
Twenty Fifty
Mar 22, 2009 10:28 AM
Great work testing this out and reporting the results, as well as finding out about the re-issuing of the Hydrophobic Treatment. This thread would definitely help any new members in the future.
 
 
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