I figured you guys are the experts so I hope you can help. My hockey mask is fiberglass and I took a puck in the head last night (well 2 actually) and it cracked. I have never had this happen so I am pissed to say the least.
I took it off the center forehead. there are 3 cracks from the impact point out. I pushed on the center and I can't move the fiberglass. I can't get to the back of it because there is padding glued on it.
If pics would really be better let me know and I can get some.
Here are my questions for you:
1 how do I fix this?
2 anyone care to comment on the safety side of fixing this rather than buying another mask.
I think, like an auto racing helmet, If it had a severe enough impact to create considerable damage then its done is job and it's time to get a new one.
I mean we are talking major brain injury if it should fail again in an undeniably weak repaired area.
Whats your head worth?
Auto helmets are only good for 5 years because the foam liner degrades.
Last edited by John S 1961; 11-12-2009 at 07:46 PM.
Reason: clarity
I think, like an auto racing helmet, If it had a severe enough impact to create considerable damage then its done is job and it's time to get a new one.
I mean we are talking major brain injury if it should fail again in an undeniably weak repaired area.
Whats your head worth?
Auto helmets are only good for 5 years because the foam liner degrades.
thanks John. pretty tough to argue my head isn't worth $1000.
thanks John. pretty tough to argue my head isn't worth $1000.
NOW that's using your head. SEE.... the mask did its job. I am glad to read that you have enough "common sense" to make the smart decision...because the ambulance ride would darn near eat up the cost of a new mask. Look to see if the market offers some made out of carbon-fiber. Lighter and much stronger than fiberglass....if available.
"DUB"
Okay guys, I am back for more help. had my dad look over the mask and he is certain the fiberglass is not cracked. he said just the gel coat has chipped off. my father would not let me play hockey with an unsafe helmet so I trust him. he says I just need to fill the gel coat, sand and repaint. any advice to fixing the gel coat?
With respect for your father, I must disagree with him. If you wore a Kevlar vest which stopped a bullet, but the only obvious damage was to the cloth outerwrap, would you let someone shoot you there again? Your mask is your lifeline in the event of "taking a puck in the face". It will happen again... why tempt fate with a mask which has sustained visible damage?
With respect for your father, I must disagree with him. If you wore a Kevlar vest which stopped a bullet, but the only obvious damage was to the cloth outerwrap, would you let someone shoot you there again? Your mask is your lifeline in the event of "taking a puck in the face". It will happen again... why tempt fate with a mask which has sustained visible damage?
I can't argue with your logic. I am going to take it in to the shop I bought it from before my next game. I can have an expert look at it and look for new masks while I'm there.
thanks for all the concern for my head thankfully none of the guys I play against can shoot that hard.
FORCE is egual to MASS times ACCELERATION. It is a shame that "Mythbusters" wasn't there at the time of the damage to your mask...with a high speed camera... so you can actually see what your mask went through...that caused the chip to occur.
Hang it on the wall as a show piece and get a new one. For it to chip the "gelcoat"...the force generated surely must have created a "sweet spot" in the structure of the fiberglass...thus causing it to weaken....which may be hard to see....unless it is ground on and found.
A little bit of past experience in a similar matter...for what it is worth. I worked at a shop where heavy grinders were used all day long. Safety equipment was strictly enforced. Well one day, a fellow worker had a grinding disc fly apart and a piece hit his faceshield and did its job. Saved his face...but it also but a notch in it and it had very small stress cracks in it...barely able to see unless it was in the right light at a specific angle. Well he didn't change it and kept working. A few days later the same thing happened....a disc flew apart and a piece hit his faceshield again...but this time it went through and the damage to his face from the flying disc and the plastic cutting him was bad to say the least. Now, anytime I have a notch,nick, or any abnormality in the surface of and protective lens, hard hat, etc...I change it...regardless of the cost. THIS IS WHY we are giving our OPINION. No one...but no one has a "crystal ball". But it is always better to be SAFE.
I truely wish you the best in your decision,
"DUB"
I truly appreciate the concen for my safety so please don't take my response wrong.
getting hit in the head with a puck in a recreational hockey game is nothing like getting into an accident with in a race car or motor bike (where you MUST replace the helmet if there is impact to the head). the hockey helmet is designed to take shots to the head. if goalies had to replace their helmets after every shot, few of us would be able to afford to play the game. even NHL players reuse thier masks after getting hit in the head. (don't know if any of you are hockey fans but...) Ray Emery from Philly took one in the head and it popped his mask clean off a few nights ago. these helmets are not 'one-use, disposables'.
again, I know you are all just looking out for my saftey and frankly you have all been really polite with your suggestions. I don't want to burn any bridges with my CF friends in the Paint and Body section. rob
...and I am taking it into the shop I bought it from tomorrow to have them take a look at it.
I know that it is not a "one use disposable". But once the structure has been compromised....the effectiveness is no longer within the design parameters for safety.
Recreational or Professional....it does not matter. Because I am darn sure that the Pro players take very carefull attention to their equipment...and if it in question...it is more than likely replaced.
And there is no way that you can not tell me that when you guys are out there playing and "getting into the groove"...that one if not all of you try to put a SERIOUS "slap shot" like...for example....Wayne Gretzky. The puck can more than likely be traveling much faster than a little league pitch...and with its mass being concentrated in a small area...can still cause an injury.....even if "just playing around". Human beings, when striving to imporve their skill level will often times exceed expectations that others may think they possess. I hope you do not get your "bell" rung and have an injury due to failed safety equipment...because one of your friends is practicing to be the next pro in the neighborhood. No harm, no foul from you...and you aren't...in my opinion..."burning any bridges". Just remember...you are not playing badminton. I am sure that your other equipment, pads, guards and gloves...are good enough to protect you from incoming shots......and you wouldn't play with just one glove and one shin guard. Would you?
I have expressed my thoughts on this enough...like I wrote before...the choice it up to you.
"DUB"
Corvette Store
Need fiberglass help with my goalie mask
thankfully none of the guys I play against can shoot that hard. 
