The ski season has finally arrived which means more people are going to be hitting the slopes than ever before. While this is great for the overall snow-based sports scene, it does come with its challenges. One of the main issues this year is the extreme cold which, when combined with the high speeds and drops in temperatures, can seriously damage your gadgets.
Odds are you’ll end up owning a few gadgets this season that are more than a year old. So you’ll need to figure out a way to fix them before the season starts just to make sure they work. Luckily, there are a few simple solutions that can help get your gear up and running again. Let’s take a look at how to repair foam on ski goggles.
Table of Contents
The Basics
The first step in any gear repair is to make sure that all of the foam is removed from the goggles. You don’t need to remove all of it, but you should try to get as much of it out as possible. Use a bit of an abrasive like sandpaper or steel wool to get the residue out. You can also soak the foam in hot water for a few minutes to make it easier to peel off. Once you’ve removed all of the surface foam, you can focus on the bulk of it which is inside the headband. This is where most of the weight is so it’s important to pay close attention to it. The bulk of the foam inside the headband can still be removed using hot water or steam but it’s a bit more tedious. You’ll need a pair of pliers or some other sort of tool to pull it off. Once you’ve gotten all of the inside foam out, dry the headband thoroughly and then reattach it to the goggles using an adhesive like clear nail polish or super glue. We’d recommend the former because it’s easy to remove if need be.
The Main Compartments
Once you’ve got the goggles repaired and tested, it’s time to deal with the main compartments. First, remove the foam that’s protecting the lenses and clean them with a bit of rubbing alcohol or mineral spirits. It’s also worth removing the ear cushions and cleaning them with the same product to make sure nothing builds up over time and ruins the clarity of the lenses. After that, put the lenses back in and test the goggles again. If everything is done correctly, there should be no sign of any bubbles or scratches on the lenses. The main compartments should also be fog proof and ready for the next use.
The Stem
Some snowboards are wider than others which makes them easier to steer and go faster. If yours is one of these, you might want to consider replacing the stem with an adjustable one. Adjustable stems allow for more precise steering and thusly, improved riding quality. Once you’ve replaced the stem, you can remove the old one and clean it thoroughly with a bit of petroleum jelly or silicone lubricant. This will make it easier to replace the stem again next year. You might also consider replacing the entire handle just to have something different.
Dry Fit Bracket
Once you’re done with all of that, it’s time to tackle the least used but one of the most important parts of the goggles: the dry fit bracket. This is the part that keeps the goggles from fogging up when you’re not wearing them and also protects them from the wind when you are. If you’re looking for an even faster way to go downhill, a fog proof design like this one from Arctic Fox is what you need. This is because they allow for greater air flow hence more breathing room for the driver. So if you plan on using the goggles for skiing, then it’s worth considering getting this particular design.
A Word On Ventilation
It’s important to keep in mind that when you’re skiing, you’re typically breathing heavily. This means that any liquid that gets on the lenses of the goggles will cause them to fog up very quickly. To prevent this, you need to make sure that the goggles are always kept completely dry. This can be easily achieved by either wiping them clean after every ride or using a drying agent like alcohol or glycerine. It is also a good idea to use a cleaning cloth or towel to regularly clean the lenses of the goggles. This way, you’ll keep clean lenses even when you’re skiing on cloudy days.
Keeping your skis and snowboards in good condition will help you have more fun this winter season. So to ensure this, be sure to take proper care of them using the tips and tricks discussed above. You’ll be glad you did once the snow starts falling again. Good luck out there!