The visor is the first thing to meet whatever comes your way: insects, dust, road grime, exhaust and raindrops. Even a thin film scatters the glare of oncoming headlights at night and reduces visibility in the rain, so a clean visor is a matter of safety, not just looks.
Wash the visor regularly and give it a full clean with the visor removed at least every few weeks during the season. The golden rule: only soft materials and water, because polycarbonate and its coatings scratch easily.
What you will need
- A small screwdriver (if your visor mechanism needs one)
- A bowl of warm water with a drop of mild washing-up liquid
- A sponge with no abrasive side
- A dish rack
- Microfibre cloths and spectacle cleaning cloths
- WD-40 Specialist Silicone for the seal and visor mechanism
Important: Never use solvents, alcohol, glass cleaners, paper towels or any lubricant on the visor: they damage scratch-resistant, anti-fog and mirrored coatings. Do not apply any product to the inside of the visor or to the Pinlock insert.
Step 1
Remove the visor and Pinlock
For a proper clean, take the visor off. The mechanism varies by helmet, but usually you press the release catch on one side and then the other. The visor is flexible, so do not be afraid to pull gently. Some helmets need a small screwdriver.
Then remove the Pinlock, the inner anti-fog lens. Avoid touching its surface with your fingers. Hold the visor between your knees, flex it slightly to flatten it and take hold of the edge of the Pinlock to unclip it.
Step 2
Wash the visor
Wet the visor with warm water to rinse off the worst of the dirt. Lay a wet sponge on it for a few minutes to soften dried insects, then remove them gently without pressing. Wash the visor in warm water with a drop of mild washing-up liquid, rinse with clean water and stand it in a dish rack. Pat it dry with a clean microfibre cloth.
Step 3
Treat fine scratches
Barely visible micro-scratches on the outside of a clear, uncoated visor can be softened with toothpaste or fine whiting. Both are mildly abrasive, so use a tiny amount and polish very gently with a soft cloth, then rinse off. Do not do this on tinted, mirrored or coated visors. Deep scratches cannot be removed, and such a visor is best replaced.
Step 4
Clean the Pinlock
The Pinlock insert scratches very easily, so wash it with clean cold water under a gentle stream only. Shake off the drops and dab it lightly with a spectacle cloth to avoid water marks. Let it dry completely.
Step 5
Reassemble and care for the seal
Refit the Pinlock so its silicone bead sits firmly against the visor all the way round: this seal is what prevents fogging. If needed, adjust the tension by turning the eccentric pins. Refit the visor on the helmet.
Wipe the rubber eyeport seal and the plastic pivots of the mechanism with a cloth carrying a little WD-40 Specialist Silicone. The visor will open smoothly and the rubber will not dry out. Keep the product off the clear part of the visor.
Tip: Carry a small bottle of water and a clean microfibre cloth when riding. Wet the insects on the visor for a minute before wiping and you will never scratch it with dry grime.
What next
Wipe the visor after every ride and give it a full clean with the visor removed every 2-4 weeks in season. After the visor, clean the helmet itself: the shell with warm water and a mild detergent, the pads according to the manufacturer's instructions.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».