Average life expectancy of mask with no care(worn)
- 2 years
- 5 years
- 10 years
- More than ten years
0
voters
What are your thoughts here out of curiosity? If I cosplay, take pictures, possibly sweat a bit. Thanks
There’s really no way anyone can give a definite answer on this. Anything said will just be speculation. So many different factors.
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The only stipulation is the mask being worn. I’m sure there are many users on here who have owned a latex mask that has not been cared for. Therefore if many users participate it would give an average life expectancy.
my oldest mask is an 07 Myers mask that I got from the propshop in 2009. Its only been worn for a few hours on Halloween from 09-18 and its still in excellent condition. when im not wearing it I keep it on a home made mask stand. its a Styrofoam head on a metal paper towel holder and it works excellent
Thanks for the feedback! Did you use cornstarch or talc or soapy water during that time?
Amen
I have a 2005 Psycho, 2005 Maniac, 2006 Lunatic, 2006 Butcher. Good as new. If you literally wore your mask everyday and sweated profusely and constantly touched the mask then your finger oils and sweat would deteriorate the mask in a few years most likely. But it all depends on how it’s stored
It can really depend on the latex quality, sometimes. I’ve had good masks rot on me in a few years because the quality of the latex was crap. Then I’ve had mass produced latex masks in my collection that are over 20 years old not showing a single sign of rot despite their mediocre quality of care just because the latex used was top quality. My best advice is to ALWAYS at least keep your masks out of direct sunlight and in temperature controlled areas. That’s pretty much the least you can do for your masks. I keep mine on shelves in my closet simply because it’s an interior wall away from sunlight.
All depends on how you treat it. I’m sure if you constantly wear it, it will definitely affect the latex in a negative way, as skin oil can damage the mask.
With proper care to the mask, it can last a lifetime, outlive you.
I read a post from another member where they created a summary of how to care for your mask to make it last a lifetime. I do not take credit, as I did not write this.
Here it is:
Here’s a pm that I saved when I first joined this site in 2009 sent to me by respected member Caesar015 , explaining mask care in great detail. It’s my bible on mask care.
“Well you just about got the main basics bud…You dont have to stress mask care to the extreme but you cant slack in the area to much either if that makes sense…It really depends on how you are displaying your mask…Latex today is very strong compared to latex used in the older days…If cared for properly they can last a life time…I have experineced every mask disaster there is from every element that cause a mask to break down…Ive experienced everything from Melting to oxidation…Discoloring to warping…Cracking to mask rust…The absolute best way to protect any mask is throw it behind glass…A case of some kind that does not allow air to seep through is 100% the best protection…If you are displaying them on stands out in the open like on a shelf or something then you do need to keep them dust free…When I have mine this way I wipe them down once or twice a week…Ive found that Dust is one of the worst elements for a mask…Dust can settle in the mask and not only discolor them causing mask rust but they it speeds up the break down down process…Sunlight is Horrible for mask…Keep them out of direct sunlight or any kind of UV light…The heat and UV rays can cause them to dry out, crack, break down and warp…Warping is when the mask starts to loose its shape…So keeping them cool is something that must be done also…One of the worst enemies for latex is oxidation…Once a mask starts to oxidate there is uterly nothing you can do to reverse it and its only a matter of time before the mask breaks down completely…Oxidation is caused by Air and mainly moisture…This is why you have to wipe down the inside of your mask after each use and powder them…Moisture is very bad for latex…But when you wipe them down the cloth or paper towel must be very very damp…I always wipe them down, then dry them to make sure its completely dry, then powder them with corn starch…And make sure you get the nose and mouth area very well…The first signs of oxidation is yellowing of the mask…But yellowing doesnt always mean the mask is suffering from oxidation either…Yellowing can also be caused by a bad mix in paints and Dust…Another sign of oxidation is the mask drying and cracking…These are very clear signs but you really have to treat your mask horrible for this to take place…When stuffing them always use plastic bags as other material like news paper have inks in them that interact with the latex and can be very bad for them…The stuffing also helps hold their shape…When they are on stands you can also put a plastic bag over top of them if you dont mind them not to be seen…You dont have to go that far if you wipe them down once or twice a week…I use a feather duster as they are soft and work very well…Some people will suggest to use a damp rag but I dont like that idea because you are putting moisture on the mask…You should only have to wipe the outside down with a damp rag if the dust has built up quite a bit…when you dust them you will see a difference as they will loook cleaner…Also the less you handle a mask the better…Its best to only wear them on the Main Night :Halloween” LoL… or for costume pics on occasion…Dirt and finger oils can speed up the break down process also…Some members go as far as using latex gloves when handling their mask…Im guilty of it myself but I dont anymore…I dont think thats neccesary if you care for them properly…
I dont want to scare you in thinking you have to be on this like crazy or you will loose your mask in a few months because that isnt the case bro…This is just a more in depth look into mask care…Like I said latex these days is strong and can last forever with a little proper care…
-Keep them out of sunlight
-Keep them cool
-Wipe down the inside and powder after each use
-Dust 1 or 2 times a week with a feather duster
-Keep them stuffed with plastic bags on a stand to maintain their shape
Do that and your mask will last you a life time…But in a case Like from “Quiet on the set” or Amyd you never have to worry about those dangerous elements like dust, air and moisture…That is the safest way to keep a prized piece protected…But even in a case you cant put them in direct sunlight or in a hot place…If they area very hot place that case becomes a Hot box and the mask will warp…Back in the day I used to put my mask on my closet shelf…One day I came to get it only to find it had melted right to my shelf and it made an awefull sticky mess…It just got way too hot in there…A few years back I went to a convention during the summer and Had a red october In a box in my trunk…When I got their and pulled it out it was badly warped and lost its shape…So heat can be bad…Some members wont stress that but I do because I experienced it first hand several times…I havent had a problem in a very long time…So if you do the basics my man you will be fine…Dont worry about it too much but dont underestimate these elements either…Hope this gives you a better understanding and some what makes sense LoL…Later H"
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I have a 85 don post…bought in 85…wore the shit out of it…has been stuffed in basement rafters…left in shed over winter…sat in in a cardboard box for 10yrs…if my ex brother in law would not have cut the mouth out to drink beer…latex is in great shape…no rot at all…think it even might depend were you live…because I have old camera’s and never have a mold problem in the lens…and that is very common
It gets pretty hot and humid here in summer, should I put it in the fridge?
I’ve never taken any care of my tots H2 deluxe and used it heavily during Halloween, yet 2 years later and it looks completely fine with no rotting. The only “care” that I’ve done for it is stuff it with bags and use a paper towel as a stand and keep it in an average temperatured room with fans and with blackout curtains for darkness. It has no signs of rotting and it might last another 4 years I’d say…
Yeah I live in just about the most humid part of the country… I should just find something else to collect bc my latex will probably melt as soon as I walk outside lol
Acorad, I see you are making a lot of requests on mask care. First off what masks do you have to give us an idea of what you are trying to protect Also I noticed you mentioned you have your mask on a styrofoam head. This is the number 1 way to make your mask rot and melt. Even more so than talc or corn starch etc.
I currently don’t have any… I’m in the market and waiting on a nag. I definitely don’t have a styrofoam head though
It all depends really. I will give an example, I had a really cheap Don Post Mask for about 11 Years. It was one of my first. I wore it a lot, never cleaned it and it was left in a bag in my dresser. It lasted 11 years until it started to head down hill. Now that I actually take care of my masks I hope to have them last a lot longer.
I have an old Illusive Concepts Undertaker mask that Ive had since 1999.Wore it man times,including for a low budget film in freezing cold weather.It had been stuffed under junk inside my cousins closet since about 2003.He gave it to me a couple years ago and I now take care of it.Its still in perfect shape.I also has a very thin old man mask that my guy dug out of a garbage truck for me when I was about 2.I had that mask from 83’ to early 2000’s and it was NEVER cared for at all.Stuffed in toy boxes,under beds,etc,etc…It was still great shape.But got torn in a move so I tossed it.So I do not buy into the theory that latex masks break down and fall apart after a set time.Thats not been my experience
I have had masks decompose on display for Halloween, in direct sunlight and weather in as little as 4 to 5 years. However, one of my first was the CS Resurrection mask back in 2002. I have worn that quite a few years from then until now, and that has held up because I clean it and stuff it. Truth is every piece is different, but much neglect will dig its hole early.
Just spray it with 303 and it will last practically forever.
Step one: Spray with 303 let it soak it then wipe off
Step two dust with Corn starch. Thats all you need to do.