Fix Hockey Helmets Quickly With Items You Have At Home

Fix Hockey Helmets Quickly With Items You Have At Home

Replace Broken Chin Straps Using Shoelaces

Hockey can be a rough sport. After countless checks into the boards, eventual wear and tear on your goalie helmet is inevitable. But often the first piece to go is that pesky chin strap. One minute it’s holding your mask snugly in place and the next—snap!—the strap breaks and your helmet is constantly slipping off. Don’t trash the whole thing just yet. With some simple household items, you can get your helmet chin strap back into fighting shape.

Shoelaces may seem an unlikely hockey helmet hero at first glance. But sturdy shoestrings can stand up to the rigors of an intense hockey match. Simply remove the broken strap clips from your helmet. Then take a long shoelace and thread each end through the openings where the original strap was mounted. Tie the lace ends together snugly under your chin to recreate the chin strap. Make sure to double knot for extra strength. Test the new strap by shaking your head vigorously. If the helmet stays put, you’re back in business!

The beauty of using shoelaces is that they come in endless colors and patterns. You can match team colors or go wild with neon brights. Fraying ends can even add character. Don’t be shy about getting creative. Another plus is shoelaces are easy to replace between games if one snaps. Just rummage through your closet or stop by a shoe store for cheap supplies. No special trips to the sporting goods store required. Keep a few extra laces in your hockey bag for quick repairs.

Sure, shoelace straps may look a bit DIY. But who cares when it saves you from buying a pricey new helmet? Goalies get enough grief about their equipment style anyway. Wear your shoelace straps with pride. It shows you’ve got more important things to care about than fashion. Like making those totally sick saves. So next time your chin strap snaps, don’t sweat it. Just lace up and get back out on the ice. Those pucks won’t stop themselves!

Remove Rust From Metal Cage Bars With Vinegar

As a goalie, your mask cage takes a real beating. All those pucks ringing off the bars can eventually take a toll. And one of the biggest enemies of any metal cage is rust. Left unchecked, rust can quickly spread and weaken your cage bars. Before long, your cage could become too structurally unsound to protect your face. But with some household white vinegar, you can keep rust at bay.

Vinegar is a mild acid that dissolves rust while being gentle enough not to damage the metal underneath. Start by popping off your helmet cage and soaking the bars in a bath of undiluted white vinegar. Use enough vinegar to fully submerge the rusty areas. Let the cage soak for at least an hour so the vinegar can work its magic. For particularly stubborn spots, scrub lightly with a toothbrush while soaking to help break up the rust.

Once the bars are rust-free, rinse them thoroughly with water and dry well with a towel. To help prevent future rust, rub the bars down with WD-40 or another light oil. This seals out moisture and keeps oxygen from reaching the metal—two things that cause rust. Reinstall the freshly de-rusted cage onto your helmet and marvel at how shiny and good as new it looks!

Vinegar rust removal works on more than just mask cages too. Try it on rusty screws, clips, and snaps anywhere on your goalie gear. Soak chest protectors, leg pads—you name it. Just spot test first, as vinegar could damage leather or other materials. And be sure to thoroughly rinse and dry anything before putting your gear back into service.

Best of all, you probably already have everything you need for DIY rust removal at home. White vinegar is a staple for most households. And it’s safer for you and your gear than harsh chemical rust removers. Just scrub, rinse, and repeat as needed to keep your mask cage and other goalie equipment looking pristine. Don’t let rust rain on your goaltending parade.

Fix Cracked Helmet Shells Using Epoxy Putty

Hockey helmets take a lot of abuse. After stopping one too many pucks, cracks in the outer shell can start to form. These fractures put the structural integrity of your helmet at risk. But before you trash your lid, try fixing cracks with epoxy putty.

Epoxy putties come in stick form and solidify into a tough plastic when you knead the two components together. You can find them at any hardware store. Look for a putty that can be sanded and drilled once cured. To repair cracks, start by cleaning out any dirt or debris from the fracture using compressed air or a vacuum hose. Then mix a small amount of epoxy putty and work it into the crack, pressing firmly to fill completely.

Use your finger to smooth the putty flush with the surface of the helmet shell. Let the epoxy fully cure overnight. Once hardened, you can sand or file the putty down as needed to blend with the contours of the helmet. The repaired section will be rigid and strong, providing structural reinforcement.

For large cracks, layer multiple rounds of epoxy putty to build up thickness. You can also embed fiberglass mesh between layers for added strength. Take care not to get any putty on helmet padding or straps. The putty will stick tenaciously to anything and be nearly impossible to remove once cured. Be sure to follow the epoxy product instructions closely.

Goalie masks see a lot of abuse. But with some basic epoxy putty and DIY elbow grease, cracks and fractures don’t have to mean the end of your helmet’s life. Just patch, reinforce, and keep on protecting your melon from puck impacts. You’ll extend the life of your helmet while saving cash on expensive replacements. Get back on the ice and use that helmet with confidence.

Patch Foam Padding Tears With Duct Tape

The soft foam padding inside your goalie helmet takes a beating, protecting your head from impacts. But after season upon season of use, tears and rips in the foam are inevitable. Padding hanging in tatters not only looks ugly, but also reduces protection. Don’t retire your lid just yet – patch things up with humble duct tape!

Duct tape makes a perfect padding patch, thanks to its sturdy adhesion and waterproof surface. Start by thoroughly cleaning the damaged padding area with rubbing alcohol. Let dry completely so the tape will stick. Cut patches of duct tape a bit larger than the foam tears. Round the corners to prevent peeling.

Press the duct tape patches firmly onto the damaged padding. Smooth down the edges and rub hard to maximize adhesion. For tears with loose flaps of foam, neatly fold the flaps under and tape down. Layer multiple pieces of duct tape if needed to build up padding thickness in especially worn areas.

You can also place duct tape inside the helmet shell to patch holes worn through to the exterior. Seal out light and strengthen weak spots. Duct tape comes in a variety of colors, so you can get creative and patch with color-coordinated or patterned tapes. Though for structural repairs, silver metal tape works best.

Over time, sweat and rubbing can loosen your duct tape repairs. Fortunately, taping helmet foam is quick and easy to re-do between games. Duct tape patches also help extend the life of pricey replacement padding sets. So grab that roll of trusty silver tape from your hockey bag and patch up tears. Your helmet will offer maximum protection – and last for many more seasons in goal.

Lubricate Sticky Clips and Hinges With WD-40

All the moving parts on goalie gear require maintenance for smooth operation. But clips, snaps, and hinges often get overlooked. Over time, these components can get gunked up and become stiff or sticky. Don’t force things and risk breakage. Restore slick function with WD-40!

WD-40 is the handyman’s secret weapon for lubricating just about anything. The spray gets down into tight spots and loosens stuck, creaky pieces. Use it liberally on helmet snaps and clip fasteners that require you to pinch and pull hard to open. The lubricant will help them release easily again.

Spray into hinges on cages, shields, and visors too. These joints get clogged with dust and debris as you open and close your helmet parts. A few blasts of WD-40 clears out the gunk making things stiff. Work the hinges back and forth after spraying to spread the lubricant throughout. The improvement will be instant.

You can also apply WD-40 to zippers on jerseys, pant shells, and gear bags that catch or refuse to close. Don’t forget cage adjustment screws that won’t turn and goalie skate rivets that stick when you swivel your blades. Pretty much anything on your equipment that moves needs periodic lubing.

A can of WD-40 is an essential item for your hockey bag. Just a few quick squirts keeps parts moving freely and extends the lifespan of your gear. Don’t force things and risk breakage when lubrication does the trick. Keep those clips, snaps, hinges and more working buttery smooth with this time-tested spray.

Buff Scratches Out Of Plastic Visors With Toothpaste

The clear plastic visor on your goalie mask takes a beating from frequent puck impacts. Over time, all those strikes add up and scratch the surface. Minor scuffs and scratches can be annoying and make it harder to track the puck. Before replacing the visor, try buffing out these imperfections with toothpaste.

The gritty paste in toothpaste acts as a gentle abrasive when rubbed on plastic. Squeeze a dollop of plain white toothpaste onto a soft, dry cloth. Gently rub the toothpaste into the visor’s surface using small circular motions. The paste will remove fine scratches and scuffs, making the plastic clear and flawless again.

Work slowly to avoid creating deeper abrasions. Rinse the visor with water periodically to check your progress. Continue buffing until the scratches disappear. For deeper gouges, you may need to smooth things down first with very high grit sandpaper before polishing with toothpaste.

An old toothbrush also works for scrubbing toothpaste into visor scratches. Avoid gel toothpastes, as these are too lubricating. Stick with a basic paste. And never use whitening toothpastes, which contain peroxide and can damage plastic.

With this DIY buffing trick, you can restore crystal clear vision to your helmet visor and delay buying a pricey replacement. Your visor protects you, so take the time to keep it in flawless shape. A tube of toothpaste is a cheap investment for scratch-free visibility in goal.

Keep Sweat Out Of Pad Linings With Baking Soda

As a goalie, you work up a serious sweat out on the ice. All that perspiration inevitably soaks into the lining materials inside your leg pads, glove, and blocker. Drenched padding feels miserable and can breed harmful bacteria. Baking soda is the perfect solution for keeping linings dry and odor-free.

Baking soda is highly absorbent and alkaline, creating an environment inhospitable to the bacteria that cause stench. Pour a box into each leg pad and shake around to distribute evenly. Do the same in gloves and blockers too. The baking soda will soak up sweat to keep linings drier.

Its odor-fighting properties also help prevent that nasty locker room smell in your gear. Replenish the baking soda every few weeks to keep it effective. Simply pour it out into a container to reuse once it becomes saturated.

For extra protection, sprinkle additional baking soda directly on liner surfaces before games and practices. Pay special attention to areas that see heavy sweating like behind the knee. The baking soda clings to damp surfaces on contact, soaking up moisture.

Baking soda is likely already in your kitchen cupboard too, making this an effortless and cost-effective solution. So stay fresh and keep odors at bay in those leg pads. Your gear – and teammates – will smell as sweet as the scores you’re racking up in net.

Reinforce Cracked Clips With Super Glue

The plastic clips and fasteners on goalie gear take a real beating. These small parts absorb big impacts from pucks and sticks. It’s no surprise they eventually crack under the strain. But before replacing broken clips, try reinforcing with super glue.

Super glue flows easily into cracks and dries hard and strong to bind pieces together. Start by removing any loose clip fragments so the break is open. Degrease the plastic with rubbing alcohol and let dry. Apply a drop of super glue to the crack and spread it in using a toothpick.

Work the glue down into the deepest part of the fracture. Let the glue penetrate then smooth off any excess squeeze-out. Spritz with accelerator spray to instantly cure the glue. This locks the pieces together rigidly.

For clips broken into multiple parts, glue any fragments back in place or glue the entire clip to the gear shell. Clamp pieces while drying for the strongest bond. Layer additional glue as needed to completely fill gaps.

The repaired section will be stiff and solid, often stronger than the original part. Though avoid high impact to the area initially to allow full curing. With some super glue you can salvage cracked clips and other gear pieces, saving money on replacements.

Stop Visor Fogging Using Shaving Cream

Nothing wrecks your game more than a fogged up visor. The condensation buildup severely impairs vision, making it nearly impossible to track the puck. Before stumbling around blindly in the crease, fix foggy visors fast using ordinary shaving cream.

Shaving cream contains surfactants that prevent moisture from collecting and obscuring your view. Simply apply a small dab of cream to the interior of the visor and spread into an even coating with your fingers. Wipe off any excess, leaving a thin film behind.

The shaving cream lowers the surface tension on the plastic, causing water vapor to spread evenly rather than bead up when you sweat. This stops the dreaded fog so you can see clearly again. Reapply shaving cream between periods to maintain the effect.

Opt for menthol-free creams to avoid stinging your eyes. Non-foaming gel creams also work well for visor application. And there’s no need to use fancy expensive brands – basic barbershop varieties are ideal. The cleaner the product, the better it resists fogging.

Don’t let fogged visors drop your save percentage. Keep a travel size can of shaving cream handy in your hockey bag for fast relief when visibility starts to cloud. A quick shaving cream application lets you get back to goaltending greatness.

Fill Major Gouges Using Auto Body Filler

Goalie gear takes a beating from high-speed puck impacts. The shell materials can become deeply gouged over time. Major gashes need more than a quick patch job. That’s where auto body filler comes in handy for more extensive repairs.

Body filler is ideal for filling and smoothing large holes and divots. It spreads easily to fill any cavity then hardens for sanding and painting. Start by thoroughly cleaning the damaged area with rubbing alcohol. Apply releases wax around the periphery so filler won’t stick to intact sections.

Knead a golf ball sized amount of filler and press firmly into the gouge, overfilling slightly. Level with a plastic spreader then let harden completely overnight. Once cured, sand flush with gear contours using 100-220 grit sandpaper.

You can then paint repaired areas to blend with surrounding shell color. Use thin coats of hobby enamel in light layers for best coverage. Add texture with flecks of filler as needed to match surrounding gear materials. Finish by buffing and sealing the paint.

With some time and elbow grease, body filler enables you to mend the deepest gashes in chest protectors, pads and masks. Don’t toss out otherwise functional gear just because of surface damage. Body filler saves money while giving battered gear new life in goal.

Remove Odors From Padding Using Dryer Sheets

Hockey gear takes a beating and gets super sweaty. That moisture seeping into padding fabrics makes for a ripe breeding ground for stinky bacteria. Eliminate those embarrassing locker room odors from your leg pads and gloves with the power of dryer sheets!

Dryer sheets contain antioxidants and fragrances that neutralize funky smells in fabric. Start by removing any padding from your gear that can be separated. Stuff handfuls of scented dryer sheets throughout every compartment.

Clamp or close gear back up and let it sit for a day or more to allow the sheets’ scent to transfer fully. For padding sewn in place, simply tuck sheets between each layer and seal gear in a bag. The longer gear marinates, the better.

Replace sheets monthly to keep odors at bay. Opt for bold scents like citrus or pine that can overpower stubborn hockey stench. Avoid overly delicate floral scents that won’t mask the musk. And don’t fear overdoing it – the more sheets the better for maximum odor fighting.

Now your sweat-soaked gear will exude fresh fragrance instead of funk thanks to this laundry room secret. Smelly hockey pads are a thing of the past. Your gear and teammates will thank you for the sweet scent upgrade in the locker room.

Fix Loose Screws By Filling Holes With Toothpicks

The constant impacts and vibrations of action on the ice can slowly loosen screws and bolts holding goalie gear together. Before long, you may find those fasteners rattling loose or falling out entirely. Avoid serious detachment problems with a quick toothpick fix.

Filling the gaps around screws with wood shims tightens everything back up. Start by removing loose fasteners from the gear shell. Clean out holes thoroughly then break toothpicks into small pieces to insert.

Pack toothpick bits tightly around the screws, wedging them down into the holes. Insert screws and tighten down snugly, which compresses the toothpicks to create a tighter fit. The wood fills space around fasteners and absorbs vibration.

Matchstick ends or coffee stir sticks also work great for shimming loose screws. Just be sure wood is dry before inserting. Over time, check and re-tighten fasteners as the wood compresses. Add fresh shims if needed to take up any new play.

With this simple trick, you can stop those annoying rattles and secure wobbly pieces parts before anything detaches at the wrong moment. Keep a stash of toothpicks in your hockey bag for quick screw repairs on the go.

Adjust Ill-Fitting Helmets With Extra Foam Padding

Finding a helmet offering that perfect contouring and snug fit can be challenging. But custom tailoring the fit is easy with some foam padding mods. Build up thin spots and tighten loose areas to make any helmet wrap your head like a glove.

Self-adhesive foam sheets let you sculpt padding thickness as needed. Start by wearing the helmet and marking problem spots with a washable marker. Trace your markings onto foam then cut out pads to apply.

Peel adhesive backing and carefully position foam pieces within the helmet. Press and rub firmly to adhere – the adhesive is very strong. Layer additional pads until you achieve the ideal snugness and contact at each point.

Plush upholstery foams work great for adding cushioning comfort too. Use a contact cement for permanent bonding if needed. Just go slowly and test fit often when adding material inside your helmet.

With some custom padding additions, you can customize off-the-shelf helmets to fit like a dream. No more loose spots or uncomfortable pressure points getting in the way on game days. Take matters into your own hands for a flawless fit and safety in goal.

Replace Torn Chin Cups With Cut Up Knee Pads

The chin cup on your goalie mask takes a real beating from pucks and sticks. These impacts can eventually cause tears and holes in the protective padding. But before replacing the entire chin cup, try patching things up with DIY inserts from old knee pads.

Cut sections of durable knee pad lining are perfect for reinforcing thin or damaged chin cup foam. Trace around torn areas to outline patch shapes. Cut foam pieces slightly larger than your outlines.

Use contact cement to adhere the knee pad foam patches permanently inside your chin cup. Press and hold firmly until the glue sets completely. The knee pad foam will match the surrounding padding thickness while adding reinforcement.

For large holes, stack multiple layers of foam to build it up before shaping and smoothing edges. Knee pad foam comes in various densities too, so you can match chin cup plushness.

Breathe new life into tattered chin cups with this clever foam patch trick. Scout your gear bag or local play-it-again shop for old knee pads destined for the trash. Put that durable foam to use protecting your face instead.