How to Care for Your Polyurethane LARP Armor
Polyurethane armor is one of the easiest kinds of LARP armor to live with. It does not rust like steel and does not soak up water and lose its shape like leather. Most of the time, all it needs after an event is a wipe and a dry cloth. This guide collects everything our workshop recommends, so your armor keeps its look for many seasons of battles, festivals, and photo shoots.
What Your Armor Is Made Of
Every piece from LARPSHOPKEEPER is cast from polyurethane resin reinforced with fiberglass. After casting, it is painted by hand with acrylic, oil paints, and dry pigments, and then sealed with several layers of clear lacquer. Depending on the order, the finish is matte, satin, or gloss.
The easiest way to understand your armor is to think of a painted car part. It is the same kind of technology: a rigid base, a paint layer, and a protective clear coat on top. Almost all care advice comes down to one idea: protect the lacquer, and the paint underneath will stay intact.
After Every Event: The Quick Routine
- Wipe the armor with a damp cloth or wet wipe to remove dust, mud, and sweat.
- Wipe it again with a dry cloth.
- Leave all pieces to dry completely in a ventilated place before you pack them away.
That is enough for normal use. Do not leave dirt on the surface for weeks, because dried grime is harder to remove and needs more rubbing, which is exactly what the finish does not like.
Water and Rain
Rain at an event is not a problem for polyurethane. When you get home, wipe the armor and let it dry fully, including the leather parts.
Washing is a different matter, and it depends on the lacquer on your piece:
- Water-Based Lacquer. Wiping with a damp cloth is fine, but avoid hard scrubbing with a wet cloth, because it can wear the finish.
- Automotive Two-Component (2K) Clear Coat. These pieces can be washed with water, without aggressive chemicals.
If you are not sure which finish your armor has, write to us with your order number and we will tell you. Until then, use the gentle method: damp cloth, dry cloth, full drying.
What Not to Use
- Alcohol and Solvents. This is the worst option. They damage the lacquer and can strip the paint underneath.
- Household Cleaners, Soap, and Dish Soap. We do not recommend them without checking the chemical composition first. Many contain substances that dull or damage clear coats.
- Stiff Brushes and Abrasive Sponges. They leave fine scratches in the finish.
If you have a stain that a damp cloth does not remove, contact us before trying anything stronger.
Removing Straps and Fittings
All straps and fittings on our armor are attached with screws, and we put spare screws in every parcel. This makes home maintenance easy: unscrew the leather straps and fittings, clean or repair the polyurethane part on its own, and put everything back. It also means a worn strap can be replaced without touching the armor plate.
Leather Straps
The straps are genuine leather. Keep them dry, wipe off dirt, and treat them from time to time with a leather care product. If a strap gets soaked at an event, let it dry at room temperature, away from heaters, before you store the armor.
Padding
All padding in our armor is attached with hook-and-loop fasteners. Remove it and wash it by hand. Padding absorbs sweat, so washing it after long or hot events keeps the armor fresh. Let the padding dry completely before you attach it again.
Heat and Sun
Normal sunshine does not harm polyurethane armor. Wearing it on a hot summer day or leaving it in the sun at camp is fine.
At around 80 °C (176 °F), a piece can become very slightly softer, and it returns to its rigid state once it cools down. This property is useful: some parts can be softened in hot water and shaped to your body for a better fit. Because it involves very hot water, please write to us first. On request, we send a detailed video guide with step-by-step explanations. Always protect your hands with gloves or towels.
Storage
- Store armor in a dry, ventilated place.
- Lay pieces flat rather than stacking them on top of each other. Stacking causes small scratches where plates rub together.
- Keep the padding dry before storage, so it does not stay damp inside a closed box.
Transport
Wrap every piece separately in a soft cloth, a towel, or foam before packing. Fasten the buckles so straps do not swing and rub against painted surfaces. Pack the heaviest pieces at the bottom and do not put anything heavy on top of helmets.
Small Scratches and Touch-Ups
LARP is an active hobby, and small marks are part of the life of any armor. A minor scratch can be touched up with acrylic paint, and for very small marks you can skip the lacquer. If you decide to re-lacquer a repaired area, make sure the lacquer matches the original finish: matte, satin, or gloss. A gloss lacquer on a matte piece will be visible.
Write to us and we will suggest suitable paints and lacquers that you can find in local shops in your country.
Contact Us
Questions about cleaning, repairs, or refitting your armor? Use our contact form or write to info@larpshopkeeper.com. If you want to change the color or details of a piece you already own, see Custom LARP Armor. To learn how the armor is made, read The Ultimate Guide to How Polyurethane LARP Armor Is Made.