thegirlsclub

Slaine

Last time I was pregnant my armor sat for a year. I had no clue the last time I wore it it would be that long and when I opened it again there was a lot of fuzz. I want to be more careful this time.

Here is my plan:
Wash all fabric armor and armor bag
oil leather straps (recommended oil?)
go over metal parts for rust (I just did this recently and then put on a layer of turtle wax.)

I'm not sure what to do about the foam padding parts. I suspect that that is where some mold hid out.

Any suggestions?

Ariadne · Club Member Joined: 15 Nov 2009 Posts: 183 : Items

Can you store it somewhere other than in your armour bag, where it will have room to breathe?

Slaine · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2011 3:11 am Post subject:

I'll let it dry out throughly but I'd rather keep it all together. We'll probably be moving in that time period as well.

Isabella E · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2011 3:06 pm Post subject:

I would just clean the foam parts really well with some disinfectant wipes then store everything in a place that's going to stay dry.
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Ladysid · New Club Member Joined: 18 Jul 2011 Posts: 18 : Items

I'm not positive about this, it may be something I'm imagining, but don't they sell like satchels that help draw the moisture out of like cedar closets/storage chests? You may want to look into something like that to prevent damp/humidity from destroying the leather, of course being to dry is bad as well.

Sid

Malek · Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 6:54 pm Post subject:

My suggestions:
Wash any washables. Gambesons, undergarments, arming caps, etc. Fully dry them out.

Metal bits - mild steel is the worst in storage. Make sure it is dried and at least lightly oiled. A little 3-in-1 oil on a sacrificial rag and wipe down the steel bits to act as a protectant.

Leather - Saddle Soap for an initial clean will work. Let it fully dry out before any other treatment. Neatsfoot or baseball glove oil will be a good preservative.

If you have the little dessicant packets that come with assorted electronics / other things, toss a few in the armour bag before final zip-up and it can't hurt.
Otherwise, try to store your armour in a place where moisture / condensation are less likely to happen.

Isabella E · Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 7:41 pm Post subject:

Conditioning the leather bits definitely helps. Mine has been hanging up on the stand for maybe 8 months now and the straps are still in good shape because I oiled them. It's really dry here though so I don't know if that's a necessity anywhere else.
_________________
It's not the most powerful animal that survives. It's the most efficient. -Georges St-Pierre
http://windyvalleybanners.blogspot.com/

ViolanteV · Club Member Joined: 30 Apr 2012 Posts: 67 : Items

Isabella E · Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 10:04 pm Post subject:

I've been using the same stuff you buy at any big box store to condition leather shoes. Works like a charm.
_________________
It's not the most powerful animal that survives. It's the most efficient. -Georges St-Pierre
http://windyvalleybanners.blogspot.com/

Slaine · Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 10:23 pm Post subject:

Thanks for bringing up this thread. I should go check.

Slaine · Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2012 9:05 pm Post subject:

With my Dr appt tomorrow and a chance to fight that evening I got my armor out today. (It's been a busy month!)

Everything looked pretty good. The metal pieces had been recently polished and oiled and looked just the same. I never did get around to oiling the leather but everything looks okay.

I think the key thing might have been storing the bag up off the floor. Our outbuilding doesn't leak but it isn't heated or air conditioned. The floor is a cement slab. Something has nibbled on our tent ropes so I was concerned I'd find a nest in my helm.