AboutMike Giles Expertise I am a Master Scuba Instructor with over 6000 dives. I can answer questions on general diving techniques, diving education and diver training. I can offer suggestions on the use and selection of proper dive equipment, general maintenance of dive equipment as well as diving equipment repair. I can also offer suggestions on air conservation techniques and buoyancy control. As a dive shop owner for 17 years, I can offer suggestions on starting/running a dive business.
Experience I have been diving for 52 years, teaching diving for 47 years and owned a diving business for 17 years. I am a certified regulator repair technician for several different brands and a certified scuba cylinder inspector.
Organizations I am currently a member of the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), Divers Alert Network (DAN), International Resort and Retailer Association and the Better Business Bureau
Publications Undercurrent magazine and Divers Chapbook
Education/Credentials I am a Master Scuba Diver Trainer with 15 distinct specialty instructor ratings, Rescue Diver Instructor, Medic-First Aid Instructor and I have degrees in Chemical Engineering, Biology and Radiologic Technology.
Sadly, my diving gear has been in storage for the last 2-3 years. I just pulled
it out to see that the rubber (clear) around the mask and on the joint of the
snorkel has become slightly brownish. All of this has been stored in the clear
plastic cases they came with at purchase, and has been in dry indoor storage
the whole time.
So here's the question... What do I do to get rid of the brownish tint, or is this
possible? Can I use diluted bleach, or will this destroy the rubber/plastic?
Thanks much.
Michael
Answer Hi Michael,
The short answer is that you cannot remove the brownish stain on the "rubber" parts of your mask and snorkel. Actually, the material is silicone and not rubber although old masks were, indeed, made out of rubber and neoprene. These materials tended to break down with exposure to sun and skin oils so switching to silicone made perfect sense. Quality dive masks and snorkels made during the past 30 years or so are almost all made out of silicone. The good news is that the discoloration you see is only cosmetic and will not degrade the silicone itself. This browning can be caused by exposure to the sun or even the effects of artificial lighting. I believe (but am not certain) that even the effects of heat can cause the silicone to take on a brownish tint. If a clear silicone product is stored in contact with a darker material (like a wetsuit or a colored plastic object)the color will actually migrate into the clear silicone. Once inside the silicone, it cannot be removed.
In summary, the discoloration is permanent and trying to remove it will probably damage or destroy the silicone. Look at it like this: at least your gear will be easy to identify!!
