How long should the FX armor last?

[vrblasasn]

Okay I've had my FX armor almost two years now, and it is cracking, and starting to even shatter in some spots. i realize it's thin plastic, but i hardly wear it. plus the thin ANH helmet take far more abuse! any thoughts?

[Daetrin[Admin]]

I bought my FX back in '00 or '01 (can't recall) and it sat in a closet for several years. I actively trooped in it for what - two years now - pretty well, plus the Rose Parade. No signs of cracking at all. I have an older AP helmet that's almost as old and also shows no signs of weakness. And as my garrison mates attest I abuse my armor - even playing a few downs of football in it.

 

Yours must be from a bad set of plastic would seem to me.

[TK4205]

Plastic, either ABS or HIPS will break down quicker if you troop out in the sun more. It also depends on how you take care of it. Do you toss it in the bin, or to you wrap it up and pack it away. I notice that my helmets out on display yellow quicker. You can also prolong the life of your plastic by conditioning it. I use charcoal lighter fluid on my ABS, which keeps it shiny and new looking.

[Mobus[TK]]

Plastic, either ABS or HIPS will break down quicker if you troop out in the sun more. It also depends on how you take care of it. Do you toss it in the bin, or to you wrap it up and pack it away. I notice that my helmets out on display yellow quicker. You can also prolong the life of your plastic by conditioning it. I use charcoal lighter fluid on my ABS, which keeps it shiny and new looking.

 

 

Charcoal lighter fluid, really. Never heard of that, is it supposed to prevent yellowing or something? Also wondering if a UV protectant cleaner wax would help any.

[TK4205]

UV protectant cleaner wax

 

It might. I think you would just want to avoid build up, because wax itself can yellow.

I actualy discovered the lighter fluid by accident. I was using it to clean off velcro glue residue, which works wonders by the way, and realized that it cleans and conditions abs.

Give it a shot. All you have to lose is your armor

[SethB6025[501st]]

I had several hairline splits in my old FX suit after about four years of light-medium trooping. I have a couple small hairline splits on my current TE suit after about two years and a lot more trooping, plus with the undercuts and lips there are more places prone to it than on the more flat FX parts. If you notice cracks beginning, just back the split up with some glue or plastic & glue to prevent it from getting worse. UV light is bad for all plastics so limiting the light exposure when not in use would be best.

[huttman[TK]]

lighter fluid? im not sure about putting *anything* that harsh on the plastic.

the sun is evil when it comes to plastic, pretty much ANYTHING that spends prolonged exposure to the sun is going to take its toll eventually. im not speaking from exp from having a suit, only working with the stuff as a machinist.

 

This thread has sparked a funny image for me.

 

Troops down at the beach putting sunblock on themselves, each other but with the kind specifically for plastic lol

[Laspector[TK]]

I have an FX suit that I keep on a mannequin when not trooping, are you saying I should pack it away when not in use? I don't want it to yellow but everyone gets a real kick out of seeing it when they come over.

[huttman[TK]]

I have an FX suit that I keep on a mannequin when not trooping, are you saying I should pack it away when not in use? I don't want it to yellow but everyone gets a real kick out of seeing it when they come over.

 

thats what I was going to do myself. Where is a good place to pick one up at? My suggestion would be when you dont have company over, put a sheet over it (black or a very dark color) be careful not to scratch it though there are those really thin blankets that are super soft you could use also.

[TK4205]

And dont forget to tuck it in at night. (story optional)

[Laspector[TK]]

I built my mannequin out of pvc pipe,bubble wrap and about 20 rolls of electrician tape. I found a website called Haunter's Hangout that had a really good tutorial(sorry, didn't save the link). It's fully articulated but I never put a head on it and I never locked all the joints so it would free stand so it's just hung by the neck in my back room. If I ever get a bigger place I'm gonna finish it and build a stand for it. The only problem is that I will have to get another pair of boots so I can drill holes in the bottom of them so I can anchor it through the boots because I dont want a piece of pipe running up his butt to hold him up.

[TK4205]

Since I troop so much, I find it a pain in the an impolite person dressing and undressing a mannequin, so I just leave it in the bin. Once I get a set of RT my FX will go on a mannequin and stay that way.

[PointMan]

Then, what is the best looking armor that will last you the longest and is durable?

[JTKenobi[TK]]

OK, I have an AP kit and perhaps there is a better place to post this but I thought before I post a new topic, perhaps someone can help me here. So.....

 

Will my AP armor yellow over time? If so, would it still yellow eventually if I store it away from sunlight?

[TK-1422]

I've had my FX armor for over 4 years now and no cracks or yellowing. But I store it in a large duffle bag between troops.

 

Sunlight and temperature will degrade plastic over time. With care and attention to these two factors, it should last quite a long time.

[JTKenobi[TK]]

TK-1422 said:

I've had my FX armor for over 4 years now and no cracks or yellowing. But I store it in a large duffle bag between troops.

 

Sunlight and temperature will degrade plastic over time. With care and attention to these two factors, it should last quite a long time.

 

Thanks for the reply Kevin. I am hoping I have the same luck, and for more than 4 years. There's also a good conversation here:

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Edited February 12, 2021 by gmrhodes13
link not working, removed gmrhodes13 2021

[TK-1287]

My FX started cracking after the first year of trooping. Almost year 3, and it's pretty much unwearable. Apparently mine was a "bad batch" of plastic, however, it was enough to spoil FX for me permanently.