Hey crew, does anyone know of a water repellent for sunnies that works?

I use Finish (dishwashing rinse agent) on my Go Pro and it works pretty well but haven't tried them on sunnies as I don't kite or foil with them.

I've heard that's an option but I assume you have to do it frequently. If an specific spray coating existed would you prefer it? Surely there is something out there that's long lasting on the lens...

I would be a bit worried about the chemicals ending up in my eyes

I've tried a few. Waxes, and a couple of types of Rain-X. They don't work. They might work for a time. Eventually they fail.

Cleaning your glasses with warm soapy water after each session works reasonably well. You still have to dunk your head from time to time to clear them. Water mostly drains off but the odd bit gathers in splodges and dries with salty spots.

Lips sunglasses work pretty well. They're expensive. The Typhoons are very expensive. The Surge are more reasonably priced and work pretty well. Water runs off, or contracts to small drops. When it dries you get a few spots of dried salt. Flushing your face when you fall is enough to keep them clean.

Thanks @Gorgo that's why I asked about an alternative. Had a look at the lip ones and they're crazy expensive... especially if you have as many wipes outs as I do... would be an expensive donation to the ocean haha. Of the stuff you've tried (wax, rainx) which worked best/lasted longest?

@smash01 - you wont lose LiP watershades in wipeouts - their retentions system makes sure of it. Until your head stays on your shoulders the goggles wont be lost I have been using my Surges past 4 years.

Haha hard core. I'll have to give them a go

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smash01 said..
Thanks @Gorgo that's why I asked about an alternative. Had a look at the lip ones and they're crazy expensive... especially if you have as many wipes outs as I do... would be an expensive donation to the ocean haha. Of the stuff you've tried (wax, rainx) which worked best/lasted longest?

None of them worked any better than simply washing with warm soapy water. I use liquid hand wash and some warm water. Let it soak for a bit. Air dry. Polish with a glasses cloth.

Any scratch on sunnies can hold water.

new, (or better) no scratches are best, IMO.

I have one pair of non prescription sunglasses and wear them on land and in water. If they don't work on land.., not good enough to use in water.

Any water repellent wears off(and becomes patchy or surfboard wax style (and never ending recoating is required))

Anything that protects my eyes from the sun is better than nothing(optometrist continues to tell me). I have red skin growth across both eyes, starting to affect sight from right eye.

I am 42 years old.

@simon78 great feedback and totally agree on the eye protection, so important! And a timely reminder for me. Sorry to hear about your eyesight

Every year buy 2 or 3 k-mart polaroid wraparound sunnies for around $8 each, drill holes into arms, thread through thick soft rope with a tightener at the back and another rope for the neck (otherwise tie the head rope to the wetsuit zip pull rope). Yep I look like a kook but at least my eyes are protected.

a bit of detergent wash keeps it from fogging and as soon as they are slightly scratched just let them go

you're never going to get the perfect setup so why drop hundreds on expensive sunglasses that will still get scratched or lost, save it for a better kite or board.

@peahi totally agree! And I'm absolutely with you on kmart sunnies. The polarised ones are excellent for a season. I actually use dishwash in my snorkel mask for anti fog and works pretty well... learned that trick from a Malaysian dive centre haha

If I can put my smallest finger between frame a across whole cheek to noses- the glasses won't fog. (And don't fog if wearing a properly fitted COVID face mask either!)

I avoid glasses with rubber pieces connected to plastic on nose piece. Always no fog but end up loosing the rubber piece and then the plastic pegs that hold the rubber become uncomfortable, and glasses will fog.

Clarke rubber sell $8 or $10 1m pieces of tube that I get 4 or 5 retaining straps out of. I use the green or blue one- it depends on sunglasses arm diameter. Prefer the blue as has less stretch, i adjust so very slight pressure holds sunnies to face but requires two hands to remove. I have never lost a pair of glasses. Can end up round the neck on the rare occasion. Had one pair fall off, must have pulled in 20plus times and been rag dolled the majority, I lost them. 30 mins later happened to find the rubber tube floating, picked it up and to my surprise sunnies were attached. Tube lasts around 3 months before it starts to break down on attachment(stretch) point to sunglasses arms and then I replace tube.

I use Mr Sheen furniture spray on the Gath visor, should work with sunnies

i tried a lot of different tricks to stop glasses fogging over the years. eventually figured out it was mainly sweat/sunscreen running on them that made them fog.

just give them a wipe with a dry cloth before you go out. inside of my t shirt works for me. but dont forget... always wipe your eyebrows/face dry also. even if you dont htink you need to. and never put sunscreen on your forehead.

works for me

Product called RAIN COAT
Advanced water repellent coating.
should be able to get it on one of the internet sites
Raincoat? Advanced Water Repellent Coating - Motosolutions

I want to add my 2 cents worth and say that I can not remember how many surf sunnies I have lost over the years because of wipeouts etc. and so I just get some nice cheap ones and attach a cord some how (drill hole etc.) and I use anti fog wipes (pack of about 20 from the chemist etc.;-) Oh and I have had the frame arm brake off so look for a strong frame also:-)

All awesome tips crew! Thanks so much for sharing all your advice

The wax based coatings tend to work pretty well. The last batch we got was from a trade supplier, designed for welding masks and face shields etc. Was based on beeswax. Worked pretty good.

It's a little tube, you draw a bit on and then polish it in both sides, good for half a dozen sessions or so before you need to reapply. Used it for snorkel masks and other stuff too.

Be aware with some coatings or chemicals as they can effect the lenses of glasses. I remember years ago a few crew were using rain-x and kept having issues with lenses delaminating, turns out it was causing the coating on the lenses to bubble up and peel away. Turns out it says not to use on plastics on the bottle. Shoulda read the destructions.

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Ugly said..
Product called RAIN COAT
Advanced water repellent coating.
should be able to get it on one of the internet sites
Raincoat? Advanced Water Repellent Coating - Motosolutions

You mean the Rain coat really works - great stuff, i can recycle and Save the Planet

I use this


www.oakley.com/en-us/product/WA4230001NC

Work for a while. Best if you clean glasses first with ipa.

Have a look at some of the MTB products. I use a 'Muck Off' spray/cleaner and it works well in the water as an anti-fog as well.