Mask Repair

[Decadence]

I have some minor problems with my mask that I need to know if I need to fix before a tournament im going to tomorrow. First off I have a little bend in one of the wires. I attempted to recreate this using paint...the bend. Also there is a dent that I have in it. Do I leave it the way it is or fix it myself?

[fencinman89]

Does that mean that you found your answer?
-Tre'

[Purple Fencer]

I have some minor problems with my mask that I need to know if I need to fix before a tournament im going to tomorrow. First off I have a little bend in one of the wires. I attempted to recreate this using paint...the bend. Also there is a dent that I have in it. Do I leave it the way it is or fix it myself?

For the dent, get a ballpeen hammer, place the mask dent down on a hard surface like the floor, and use the ball end to pound the dent out.

For the wire (Donald/Neevel check me on this), as long as you can push the wire back into place with a screwdriver you should be ok....HOWEVER....if the wire actually breaks, it's an automatic failure....

[Mergs]

For the dent, get a ballpeen hammer, place the mask dent down on a hard surface like the floor, and use the ball end to pound the dent out.

For the wire (Donald/Neevel check me on this), as long as you can push the wire back into place with a screwdriver you should be ok....HOWEVER....if the wire actually breaks, it's an automatic failure....

It also depends on whether or not the hole is big enough to let the mask punch pass through or deform the wire enough to let it through once it is popped back in place.

[neevel]

Like Sam said, a ball-peen hammer can be used to fix the dent. I typically use a large, round-headed carriage bolt in combination with a hammer to get down into the mask more easily.

For the bent wire, the first thing to do is make sure it's just bent, not broken. If it is intact, you can use an awl or screwdriver to gently push it back into position. Once that's done, test it with a mask punch to make sure that the wire doesn't get pushed back to where it was. If it does get shifted by the mask punch, even if it still technically passes the test (i.e., the punch does not pop through), I'd plan on shopping for a new mask.

-Dave

[Asentzio]

For the dents in the mask I don't believe you are supposed to push straight down in the middle. I was told to slowly pound the dent down starting from the outside of the dent, advancing towards the center in a circle.

[tcreeley]

I tap dents out from inside with a ball pein hammer. I used to touch up rust with paint- but not now--- the paint dries and while I fence- it flakes and hits me in the eye-- has happened on numerous occaisions- try black permanent marker. Also with a nail set and hammer you can tap the displaced wires around so that they look good and pass punch tests.

Good luck

[smeric28]

first off don't repaint over rust the mask will only rust more. get a rust converter, you can buy it at walmart it converts red rust to black rust (which is stable and will prevent further rust) once it dries it will provide a good under coat. then get an epoxy (spray) paint from the hardware store. spray some in a cup and use a q-tip to dab it on.