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Vest Washing and Maintenance...


Erwin Landau

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Vest maintenance...

I had washed the pads of my DSD/Klassen Harness a couple of times to get rid of the white salty sweat stains, but the main result was, exept of getting rid of the stains, it also got rid of the color. My pads are now pail gray.

They don't pick up odor at all, not sure if that is the result of the special foam they are using, they don't smell bad.

Anyhow... I found that the easiest and quickest way to get rid of the stains is to take the pads out (if you want you can also leave them in place) and use a shoe brush (or any brush with harder brisels) to get rid of the stains, works like a charme. It looks like freshly washed exept for the "fresh tide smell"...

 

Just a heads up.

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Just purchased a used Master Series Vest circa 1999. I know the pads are machine washable, but I'm wondering what the specifics are. Wash temp? Rinse Temp? Air or machine dry? Is handwashing preferred? Is detergent ok? Or, is it like a martial arts belt that should never be washed no matter what, just out of principle?

 

Thanks!

Afton

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I can't remember how the Master series Vest pads are put together.

I washed and cleaned my former PRO as well as my current Klassen Vest on a regular bases (more or less, if it starts to smell, wash it... or not... it keeps the director away from the rig...).

 

Take the covers of the pads and wash'em on gentle, depending on odor you have to wash them on hot. Stick the foam into the freezer over night (put it in a plastic bag, kills bacteria and odor). When you wash the pad covers, look out for the Velcro, cover them with female velcro or put them in a stocking wash bag, the velcro can do some serious damage to the rest of your cloths or even to each other... get's stuck and rips.

 

On the rest of the Vest...

Damp cloth and or (for Master Film) leather treatment liquids like bee wax or the like. For the metal parts, metal treatment like, lithium grease and the like. Use common sense as always.

 

Hope that helps,

 

Happy washing.

 

Erwin.

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  • 8 months later...
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Gents--

 

Don't forget to check the foam filling when you remove them from the pad covers.

 

This is a perfect time to update your foam with new and better foam. I have been using a type of neoprene in place of the standard closed cell foam that many people still have in their vest pads.

 

Check out suppliers like McMaster-Carr for the hundreds of different types of foam that are available. Some of the variables include density and thickness; to each his own. McMaster-Carr has extensive methods for describing the varying types of products available.

 

Good hunting!

 

Best,

 

Brant

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Marc-

Yes, I followed Erwin's advice almost exactly, and it worked out great.

 

Brant-

Not a bad idea. My padding, especially in the front around my midsection seems to be quite compressed, and could probably use replacement.

 

Thanks!

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afton.

can you be a little more detailed? did yo uuse hot water? did you machine dry or air dry? did you put the foam in the frige? for how long? etc...

 

I washed the removable soft pieces alone, on hot, in the washing machine. I then popped them in the dryer on a low heat until dry. I hand washed the rest of the vest with a warm washcloth, using good ol' elbow grease to work out those sweat stains. I then took another tip from Brant and treated any squeaks with CorrosionX.

 

Best,

Afton

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