How to Maintain Body Armor: Care, Storage and Inspection
Body armor is not something you buy and forget. Ballistic materials can degrade with heat, moisture, UV light, physical damage and age. Good maintenance does not make armor last forever, but it helps it perform as rated for as long as the manufacturer intends, and it helps you spot problems before you depend on the gear. Why regular inspection matters Damage to armor is not always obvious. A crack inside a ceramic plate, a tear in a soft panel's cover or moisture inside a sealed carrier may not be visible at a glance. Regular inspection, for example monthly and after any hard knock or exposure to water, gives you a chance to catch issues early. Manufacturer-recommended cleaning Always start with the manufacturer's instructions, because materials and covers differ. General practice for most armor looks like this: • Remove soft panels and plates from the carrier before cleaning the carrier. • ...