Rusty Mask Prevention?

[Bugaboo]

I need your help:

I'm retiring my old mask and picking up a shiny new one. I don't want to make the same mistakes twice.

Right now, the mesh is still nicely coated and uniformly black. After a few bouts, though, I expect that protection to chip away and leave the metal exposed to my sweat.

My previous mask mesh started rusting. Attempts to scrub the offending corrosion away also served to expose more of the adjoining mesh to the same problem.

From the start, before the chips begin flying and rust settles in: How can I extend the life of my mask?



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[neevel]

The insulation's usually just enamel paint. Go to an auto parts store, hobby shop, etc. and pick up a bottle of black enamel (or whatever color if you were tasteless enough to pick up one of those hideous dayglo painted masks ). If you've already got some rust, you could try a rust inhibiting paint, or apply a coating of naval jelly before touching up the paint.


-Dave Neevel

[Bugaboo]

... And, of course, thorough tape masking (appropriate pun) to protect the rest of the mask during the paint job, right?

Hmmm. Yeah, I can see how that would do the job very nicely.

Thanks much.

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[zhenqing]

I do exactly what Neevel is recommending, however, I use glossy black metal paint, which I apply with a small brush over the area of the steel mesh where the finish has chipped away and my mask looks brand new. I also remove the bib and wash it frequently so it stays clean and smelling fresh.

Hope you enjoy your new mask for many years to come!

[Zelda]

I use black enamel applied with an eyebrow brush, its stiff enough to get in the nooks and crannies but small enough to fit in the tiny tin.

[swordsen]

The sweat on your head is the least of your masks problems. The evil occurs when people stick their mask together with their nasty sweaty jacket into a bag and leave them there till the next practice. Or worse, roll the jacket up and put it inside the mask.
Keep you mask away from your jacket after use and it will greatly cut down on your problems. The same goes for weapons.

[sabreuse]

I made a little draw-string cloth bag for my electric sabre mask to keep it away from the sweaty, funky stuff in my fencing bag. I've seen people use a pillowcase too.

[Lumberg]

Rusty masks are one of the worst bugaboos of fencing.
Answer to question, keep the mask away from soggy clothes and towels. Someone already mentioned it. Let the mask air dry after sweating in it.

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Lumberg.
"...ahhh, we have sort of a problem here... yeah, you apparently didn't put one of the new cover sheets on your TPS report"

[Bugaboo]

Pillowcase! Not a bad idea to help soak some of the moisture right away, and as a quick carry from the competition. I like it. Thanks.

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[latenight]

fencepbt.com carries a mask bag under their new items section

[This message has been edited by latenight (edited 01-24-2001).]