How-to: All Things Padskinz

Hello again tendys! It's been a while. I wanted to write up a quick article showing you goalies on how I install padskinz. It's a service I have dropped with how busy things have been, so figured I could give you my best tips and tricks on how to use this great product. It may seem daunting at first, but I promise it's very DIY-friendly and you'll have a sharp, matching setup once you're done! Let's begin.

Before/After

First things first, a CMA - everything you do to your gear is at your own risk, and I take no responsibility for personal injury or damage to your equipment. While this is a straightforward procedure, there are some hand tools and sharp things you can hurt yourself with. Use common sense, be safe, and get those pads looking great.

Tools & Prep - You probably have most things you need kicking around home to do this! The following is what I use and will make your installation easiest.

• Pencil

• Large retractable knife

• Small retractable knife or hobby/craft knife

• Rotary cutter

• Good scissors

• Small flat blade screwdriver (duller/thinner the better)

• Adjustable heat gun OR hairdryer

• Green masking/painters tape, cheapest dollarstore stuff as you may use a lot...

• Cutting mat, not necessary but helps if you have one!

  
  

Recommended Tools

Mockup - Newer equipment should have online customizers you can use to dial in your designs before hand and get a good visual of your ideas. Older equipment you may be able to find kicking around, a website I use is https://thegoaliearchive.com/goalie-template-archive/pads-glove-templates/ and then photoshop or paint to fill in colours and get a nice visual to copy from. Last but definitely quickest is to just snap a quick picture and colour over them in paint, like below!

Templating - After you've got your colours picked and mocked up, it's time to template where you will apply your Padskinz. Grab your green painters tape and apply it over the desired pattern. At seams on the tape, use extra tape to make sure your template doesn't come apart. On the tape, mark down the parts location so you don't get confused during the subsequent steps. Use a pencil to mark out the pattern, or, if you are very gentle and careful you can score the tape with a dull 9mm retractable knife or hobby knife. Otherwise, remove the tape and cut out the pattern and lay it down on the Padskinz. Plan ahead and make sure you'll have enough space on the material for all of your desired patterns.

Reinforce your seams/breaks

Cover the whole area, use edges so you don't have to cut as many times

Cutting Material - If you have a cutting mat, lay down the padskinz and grab your preferred cutting device (a cheap plastic cutting board will do the trick, though usually smaller). For simple, straight lines, I prefer a rotary cutter and plastic straightedge - though a large retractable knife with a new blade also works great. The rotary cutter is ok for sweeping lines, but isn't great for tight spots, 90 degree inside edges, or intricate patterns. Very good scissors are ok for some of these spots, but they can leave little 'nibs' if you cut right to the tip of the blade, so be aware of where you are at. Be careful and take your time with cutting, the better the cuts look, the better your final product will be.

Rotary cutting

Cut and ready to apply!

Applying - Half way there! Ensure the pads are relatively clean, you can use isopropyl or rubbing alcohol (very little) on a rag and wipe the application surface, don't apply liquid directly or let it sit - Don't use it on Speedskin! Proceed at your own risk for the previous. Layout your pieces and make sure they are all correct before you start. Remove the painters tape gently and triple check they will fit to your pattern or if they require adjustment. Start applying! Peel an edge and gently start to apply from one end for smaller pieces. For larger, I recommend tearing the backing in the middle and starting from the widest area and working to one end, this will prevent distortion and stretching that can happen with big parts. Once you have the padskinz laid down gently, take your flatblade screwdriver (or similar) and work the material under seams/edges (if they are present). This is the biggest step for a clean install and will help the material last as long as possible. Continue until all pieces are on.

Heating/Compressing - Once all of your pieces are on, an important step to better longevity is a bit of heat. Important! If you're using a heat gun, it must be on the lowest setting and make sure you do not linger on one spot too long - you will damage the material. A hairdryer on medium or high will be fine, but still be careful. Keep a large piece of the backing material, paper, or similar, this will prevent your fingers from making marks on the material while

pressing down. Heat up a small area of the padskinz, and then take your backing paper and press down hard over the heated area for 15-20 seconds. Repeat until all areas have been heated/pressed.

Heat

Compress

Admire - You're done! Sit back and marvel at that sharp, matching set of gear you've got! Padskinz is a great product and an affordable way to get your equipment all on the same page or matching those new jerseys.

All applied!

happy tending,

m

email questions to: ericksonequipmentco@gmail.com