What can be done to best preserve latex?

Michael-Myers.net General Discussion
1

I’m into collecting masks and some are expensive indie masks. I have heard other members speak about their experiences with their own masks losing its shape or becoming discolored. What can be done to best preserve latex masks from rot? I regularly clean and use corn starch to keep out moisture. I keep my collection out of direct sunlight. I keep my masks stuffed with plastic bags. Is there some additive I can use to seal the latex? Would I be better off having them filled with foam? I was on the fence about paying $1300 on a mask. The new Ken Hertlein mask looks amazing and we can debate the price point but what gives me cause for pause is the fact that my $1300 investment could rot away with time.


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2

You seem to be doing all the right things to prevent rotting, but you mention additives. I recall a member on here who posted about a sort of protective spray that prevents rubber from rotting, and he tested it on a rubber band. He took 2 rubber bands, and sprayed one of them with the spray, and did nothing to the other. He left them both sitting outside for about a month I think, exposed to the weather and sunlight, and discovered that the one he did nothing to rotted, while the one he sprayed was fine. I can’t remember what the spray was called, or the member who posted it, but he suggested spraying it on your masks to better help protect them.

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I did mine the same not the spray. I use powder not sure where i get that from.

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I use to hear that powdering was a good idea, but more recently David Lady pointed out that in trying to keep moisture out with corn startch, it takes moisture out of the actual latex too…

The sun and heat are the main problem… And damage from deformation if they aren’t stuffed right

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Tangentially, I never saw the point in powdering a mask. Is it supposed to keep mold away? I can’t imagine moisture is generally bad for latex. I have a few Jason pieces that are going on a decade old and have never been powdered, still in perfect shape.

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Everyone i mean everyone should use 303 aerospace protectant. I was the one who did the test on the rubber band. I use this on every one of my masks https://www.goldeagle.com/product/303-aerospace-protectant

I converted rotted masks back to life with this stuff too.

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Thanks! Anymore info that you cam share about this product??

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Also, do you have to keep reapplying this stuff every so often?

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I apply it once a year. The stuff is like water doesnt smell is white and dissapears not like armor all that stays gveasy this is like water. Its pure 100% the chemical that normal rubber and latex has when its made. It feeds it to make it like brand new.

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Armoral is petroleum based so if you put that stuff on it will weaken the latex this stuff is not petroleum based its water based.

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Thanks! Do you have a link you can provide for the same product you used?

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I bought the 303 based on forum recommendation, it works, had a mask that was getting that latex melt and it restored it. Bought it off of Amazon or eBay I forget which.

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finally someone believing me.

Thanks Darkness. I am only trying to help everyone but people don’t want to try this stuff out.
It will never rot with this stuff. And it allows the latex to keep the original smell too as 303 is unscented.

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https://www.goldeagle.com/product/303-a … protectant

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Thanks for bringing this product to my attention, good sir.


tips fedora

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Thank you for the product info.


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17

I’d be afraid it would mess with the paint

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Interesting! Might have to swoop some. Less you handle them the better. Although I can’t really see most masks in our collections getting ruined unless in direct sunlight. I have a DPS 85 Myers mask that’s been through it all!! It’s in bad shape but none of my other masks will ever be treated like that one. Although I did have a DPS Leatherface mask in my night stand drawer and it melted together! Lol

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I find it interesting although would be worried about how it affected a mask long term, after years and years.

Not all masks are the same either,I am sure there are a lot of various latex types. Can see why some folks may be a little apprehensive to using this on a mask,especially when some costing 500+.

Sounds like a cool product though.

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To add a bit more.
Using clear non-gloss plasti-dip on the inside of the masks can also help a lot, more so if you wear them as it’s a sealant, so lay on a 3-4 layers to protect the latex from sweat and such, also preserves autographs on the inside of masks. Technically you can use it on the exterior as well, but it does change how the paint job looks a bit as it is a coating (though see through as it may be), so light doesn’t hit the paint job the same, darkens it slightly; and being a coating it can fill in details a little so it does take away from them a tiny bit. It can be a good way to preserve paint jobs as long as you don’t lay it on too thick, just be warned that it can change them.
Plasti-Dip won’t save a paint job that will end up cracking anyway though, tried that before when I was first mixing my own paint and didn’t have the right mixture (mainly used latex and paint, use latex, paint, and Pro’s Aid now). 303 Aerospace will far more likely help paint jobs that can end up cracking due to not having the right paint mixture.
Anyone apprehensive about 303 Aerospace, just try it on a cheaper mask. The thing saved a couple of my older HMK’s that came from the run that had bad latex, as well as two DCSM 2’s. Wish I knew about it before my Mint 75 went bad (that will be a big task to restore that but I’ll try, previous owner screwed me over on it).