Cat Crap Motorcycle Helmet Visor Anti-Fog Treatment

by Bill C. for webBikeWorld

More:  wBW Reviews Home  |  Owner Comments (Below)

Editor's Note:  See below for note on where to purchase Cat Crap.

Where do they come up with names like this?  Let me tell you something -- I have a cat, and as any cat owner would know, the last thing you'd want anywhere near your helmet visor is cat crap! 

But, I've got to hand it to 'em, this stuff works.  webBikeWorld visitor "A.B." first told us about this product, and with a name like "Cat Crap", we had to give it a try. 

Visor fogging has always been a problem for motorcyclists, especially in places like the U.K., with colder and wetter climates. 

Either I don't ride much in those conditions, or maybe my body temperature is below 50 degrees F or something, but I don't seem to have a problem with visor fogging.  I crack open the visor a bit and everything seems fine.

But I can understand where it would be a problem for you hard-core types who ride when it's too cold to crack open the visor even a little bit for fear of frostbite.

We reviewed the FogTech Anti-Fog liquid a while back, and owners swear by it.  It's guaranteed to prevent fogging.  But it is a little difficult to apply, because it has to be laid on precisely to avoid streaking, and there's always the chance of leaving a smudge after rubbing it with a finger.

Cat Crap is different.  It's a green-colored wax-like substance that seems to transform into a near-liquid state as soon as it absorbs heat from a finger. 

It's applied by rubbing a very little amount on the inside of the visor.  Then buff it out using a clean, soft, dry cloth.  It definitely disappears, leaving no trace whatsoever. 

I didn't hold much hope that it would work, so I was surprised to find that it actually seems to prevent fogging. 

We gave it the "boiling tea torture test", which amounts to holding the treated visor over a pot of boiling water to blast the steam on to the inside of the visor.

The photo on the left shows a motorcycle helmet visor with the treated side on the right (left internally) and untreated side on the left (right side internally). 

The boiling water test is a severe test of anti-fogging capabilities, and for some reason, I didn't think the Cat Crap would prevent the boiling water from fogging up the visor, but it did. 

Some of the remaining water vapor on the visor in the photo is causing a small amount of blurring of the cover of the Bike magazine, but that's to be expected considering the water was at full boil when the steam was applied.

The weather has been rather warm lately, but I tried the Cat Crap anti-fog coating on a helmet visor on a few early morning rides.  The days were relatively cool and damp, just the type of weather that would encourage visor fogging.  But the stuff really does seem to work well, and it's very easy to apply.

I'm not sure how long it lasts; I have noticed a residual effect that seems to last for several rides, but it's so easy and quick to apply, if the weather is going to be cold or rainy, it's a good idea to lay some on prior to the ride. 

The small container holds 0.25 oz., and measures only 40mm across by 18mm thick, so it's easy to fit just about anywhere. 

It only takes a very, very thin layer to be effective, so a 0.25 oz. tub should last a long time.  The manufacturer also claims that Cat Crap is a lens cleaner, and it can be used as often as you'd like, with no residual buildup.  We found that a quick cleaning with plain tap water removes any traces of the coating. 

Cat Crap offers a nice discount for an order quantity of 3 tubs, so get together with your friends and order a bunch before the weather gets cold!

►Reader Comments and Owner Feedback

From "L.B." (2/09):  "I read what the other folks had to say about Cat Crap and had to add my say.  I have used this product in its original form for over 16 years, It have been available to the public since 1969.

It is a soap based product, not wax.  And it does not leave any film or reside on the lens or item.  People have to remember that if they are using a cotton cloth that has been rinsed in fabric softener or dried with dryer sheet, that are putting a light coat of OIL on the item.

The original product is still made in Texas and can be bought at several different trade shows, home shows, state and county fairs, farm show, and gun shows, in several states and world wide.  It is demo and sold direct to the public.  You can find it sold at Pro Bass in Springfield, Missouri also.

It comes in a 1.5 oz bottle and sells from 8 to 10 dollars each depending on the sale person.  Treat it like any other bar of soap.  I know the owner of the company and he verified that he sold it in bulk form to be repackaged to Cat Crap."

From "S.M." (1/09):   "Seems to be sold under a different name also: Veratti Fog Fixer.  Found this stuff being sold to plumbing wholesalers."

From "W.M." (11/09):  "The 'halo' problem people sometimes claim this product creates is due simply to their not wiping it off thoroughly enough when it's applied.  Whatever you're putting it on needs to be wiped until it's crystal clear again, with no smudging visible.  Then there are no halos, and no fog.  This product impresses me greatly and I hate to see it unfairly criticized."

From "G.S." :  "I’ve used Cat Crap for years on my ski goggles and it works great.  I’ve also had success on my helmet shield.  I’m a year-round rider in Seattle and will gladly ride in all conditions above freezing.  The one drawback I’ve noticed with Cat Crap is night riding. 

Since it creates a very thing waxy film, headlights and street lamps tend to refract and create fuzzy halos when riding at night. It’s not horrible, but something to consider.  It’s cheap and convenient, so I’d recommend it with that one caveat."