A frantic run to the unform storage area, only to find your uniform inventory counts are correct, but the helmet decals are coming off all the helmets, is not the discovery you want to make. Purchases too close to the beginning of the season can create more problems than they solve. Regularly taking a few minutes to examine the state of the decals on all your equipment can save you time and headaches down the road.
Here are some other things to consider when you’re ready to replace your helmet decals.
1. Replace a Helmet Decal If It’s Constantly Exposed to Harsh Elements
Vinyl is the material of choice for decals. Factors affecting the quality of the decal are the thickness of the vinyl and the laminate layers. Taking a few minutes upfront to understand the materials involved in your decal purchase will give you a much better handle on costs and product longevity.
Over time, the sun's UV rays and weather exposure will break down the adhesive and cause the decal to start peeling. The decal will begin to fade and become brittle. How often you need to replace your helmet decals will depend on how much weather exposure they get and the materials used to make the decal.
If you are in an area with a lot of sun or harsh weather, you should replace your decals every 6 to 12 months. If you have less sun and weather exposure, you can replace your decals every year or two.
2. Replace a Helmet Decal When the Vinyl Shows Signs of Aging
Vinyl is the current standard material for decal manufacturing. However, not all vinyl is created equal. A thin lacrosse helmet decal with an equally thin or nonexistent laminate layer of protection will not last nearly as long as a thicker decal with an even thicker laminate layer over the top. If durability is a concern, pay close attention to the thickness of the vinyl and whether the vinyl has a laminate layer built-in or not.
3. Replace a Helmet Decals If The Paint Is Chipping
Sometimes it isn't the hockey helmet decal that's the problem. Over time helmet paint itself can become marred, scratched, and faded. When this happens, it's time for a helmet repaint or replacement.
When you repaint a helmet, you must replace the decals as well. Helmet painting should generally happen every two or three years. The timeframe may vary depending on how often the helmet is used and how regularly it’s exposed to the elements.
Once repainted and up-to-date, you can add fresh new decals to the helmet for a season start that ensures your athletes look their best throughout the season.
4. Replace Your Helmet Decals If They Were Damaged in Play or Storage
While decals are always affected by age and the elements, any collision can also become an issue. It's wise to replace your football helmet decals even if they don't appear to be damaged if you know they took a severe strike on the field. We recommend replacement because the impact of a collision can cause the adhesive to loosen and the decals to come off. Keep in mind that if you’re working on a smaller budget, we also offer the option to do a full wrap which can change your current helmet’s appearance and color completely without breaking your budget.
Do you have questions regarding what you can expect during the helmet decal design process? Maybe you’re ready to start the process of replacing your helmet decals, click here to get started. Fourg Athletics has been designing and manufacturing some of the toughest and longest-lasting decals available. We can offer you several ways to make the most out of your helmet decal purchase. With more than ten years of providing durable decal solutions to local, state, and national teams, Fourg is ready to help you take your team to the next level. Click here to start your order today so that we can help you to create a helmet decal replacement.