druid
01-09-2008, 11:10 PM
The JT Whippersnapper was made around 1985 and was my very first mask. Not too long ago, I found mine in my mom’s basement, all wrapped up in a bath towel and inside a plastic tub. As luck would have it, mine were still in perfect condition. Not having used it in 20 years, it only required a new lens but I remembered that this mask, even as a single lens mask - never fogged, was extremely light and incredibly breathable. It had to have these attributes simply because it was actually designed for Motocross. Well, I changed its lens and not thinking about a tutorial at the time, I never created one.
Well as it turns out I like the mask so much, I decided to get a second one. I’ve decided not to paint mine for sentimental reasons, so I decided to get another so I can. After a short trip to forum trade threads, I found one for a song.
Thinking about all the kids posting about wanting new masks, I’ve always told them that the Whippersnapper is the best in my opinion. Perhaps my recommendations were heard, perhaps not. One thing I think keeps them from buying one is the fact that they are so old. It’s true that some things can’t be fixed with age but in this case, I knew otherwise. I was always raised that “just because something’s new, doesn’t mean its better” and in this particular instance…I think that’s the case.
My second mask arrived from an old school player stationed in Okinawa, Japan and upon inspection, knew she needed some work. The lens was horribly cracked and the goggle foam suffered dry rot. Determined to bring her back to life, I decided to make a tutorial on how to restore old goodness.
First, let me point out that there are to my knowledge, there are 3 lens styles for the JT masks. The old-old ones (the originals to the Whippersnapper) took 4 removable clips with screws to hold them in. The newer ones (but still a few years old) took only two of these removable clips. The newest lenses don’t take any and are held in by pressure tabs like just about any other lens on the market.
Foam became a potential issue as well. I’ve looked around on-line and in various motorcycle stores and shops with no luck. No one sells original foam for these masks. I found a version on-line that I knew would work but it would need to be trimmed to fit. No problem for me…I love to tinker.
Parts Needed:
* JT Elite Lens – Thermal – Actionvillage # - 021-5100
* V-Force Shield/Morph Goggle foam – ActionVillage # - 021-143-0066
Cost, shipped for both items to PA = $ 30.99
Tools Needed:
* Phillips head screwdriver
* Razor/knife
* Scissors
* Sanding block/sponge
* Alcohol wipes
* Crazy Glue
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/A%20Whippersnapper%20Tutorial/b703a77d.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/A%20Whippersnapper%20Tutorial/a62057b6.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/A%20Whippersnapper%20Tutorial/7af667a2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/A%20Whippersnapper%20Tutorial/a8ed93b1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/A%20Whippersnapper%20Tutorial/da295bcf.jpg
Notice these cracks in the lense. No one should ever play with lenses that are in this bad of condition. This is the reason manufacturers require yearly replacement – micro-fractures turn into large and web-like cracks and the LAST thing you want is for this to happen in the instant your lens is struck with paint. Save your eyes and peace of mind…replace lenses yearly and keep this sport safe.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/A%20Whippersnapper%20Tutorial/960dfee6.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/A%20Whippersnapper%20Tutorial/cbc2b3b2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/A%20Whippersnapper%20Tutorial/8b8058c0.jpg
Disassemble Goggle from Mask
* Gently remove goggle from mask by prying each of the two strap retainers from both the left and right sides of the goggle, and popping out the pins that hold the face plate to the rubber venting. (I failed to get pics of this, sorry).
1. Old and original lenses are single pane and require the removal of 4 screws in 4 (or 2) clips on the lense; two on the brow-line and/or two on the cheek line - one under each eye plate. Use the Phillips-head screwdriver to remove each screw and clip. Set aside. Remove old lens from goggle frame as you do with any other mask.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/A%20Whippersnapper%20Tutorial/a6a91b10.jpg
2. Using a utility knife (or similar), CAREFULLY remove as much of the old foam as possible WITHOUT cutting into the rubber goggle frame. This was easy for me because the dry rot was so extensive.
3. Using the sanding block, lightly clean away the rest of the foam that you can’t cut off with the knife. I knew that they used some sort of Crazy Glue years ago so you won’t get it off the rubber frame. What you want to do is just get the foam off and don’t worry about the glue.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/A%20Whippersnapper%20Tutorial/9b88ecf8.jpg
Well as it turns out I like the mask so much, I decided to get a second one. I’ve decided not to paint mine for sentimental reasons, so I decided to get another so I can. After a short trip to forum trade threads, I found one for a song.
Thinking about all the kids posting about wanting new masks, I’ve always told them that the Whippersnapper is the best in my opinion. Perhaps my recommendations were heard, perhaps not. One thing I think keeps them from buying one is the fact that they are so old. It’s true that some things can’t be fixed with age but in this case, I knew otherwise. I was always raised that “just because something’s new, doesn’t mean its better” and in this particular instance…I think that’s the case.
My second mask arrived from an old school player stationed in Okinawa, Japan and upon inspection, knew she needed some work. The lens was horribly cracked and the goggle foam suffered dry rot. Determined to bring her back to life, I decided to make a tutorial on how to restore old goodness.
First, let me point out that there are to my knowledge, there are 3 lens styles for the JT masks. The old-old ones (the originals to the Whippersnapper) took 4 removable clips with screws to hold them in. The newer ones (but still a few years old) took only two of these removable clips. The newest lenses don’t take any and are held in by pressure tabs like just about any other lens on the market.
Foam became a potential issue as well. I’ve looked around on-line and in various motorcycle stores and shops with no luck. No one sells original foam for these masks. I found a version on-line that I knew would work but it would need to be trimmed to fit. No problem for me…I love to tinker.
Parts Needed:
* JT Elite Lens – Thermal – Actionvillage # - 021-5100
* V-Force Shield/Morph Goggle foam – ActionVillage # - 021-143-0066
Cost, shipped for both items to PA = $ 30.99
Tools Needed:
* Phillips head screwdriver
* Razor/knife
* Scissors
* Sanding block/sponge
* Alcohol wipes
* Crazy Glue
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/A%20Whippersnapper%20Tutorial/b703a77d.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/A%20Whippersnapper%20Tutorial/a62057b6.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/A%20Whippersnapper%20Tutorial/7af667a2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/A%20Whippersnapper%20Tutorial/a8ed93b1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/A%20Whippersnapper%20Tutorial/da295bcf.jpg
Notice these cracks in the lense. No one should ever play with lenses that are in this bad of condition. This is the reason manufacturers require yearly replacement – micro-fractures turn into large and web-like cracks and the LAST thing you want is for this to happen in the instant your lens is struck with paint. Save your eyes and peace of mind…replace lenses yearly and keep this sport safe.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/A%20Whippersnapper%20Tutorial/960dfee6.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/A%20Whippersnapper%20Tutorial/cbc2b3b2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/A%20Whippersnapper%20Tutorial/8b8058c0.jpg
Disassemble Goggle from Mask
* Gently remove goggle from mask by prying each of the two strap retainers from both the left and right sides of the goggle, and popping out the pins that hold the face plate to the rubber venting. (I failed to get pics of this, sorry).
1. Old and original lenses are single pane and require the removal of 4 screws in 4 (or 2) clips on the lense; two on the brow-line and/or two on the cheek line - one under each eye plate. Use the Phillips-head screwdriver to remove each screw and clip. Set aside. Remove old lens from goggle frame as you do with any other mask.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/A%20Whippersnapper%20Tutorial/a6a91b10.jpg
2. Using a utility knife (or similar), CAREFULLY remove as much of the old foam as possible WITHOUT cutting into the rubber goggle frame. This was easy for me because the dry rot was so extensive.
3. Using the sanding block, lightly clean away the rest of the foam that you can’t cut off with the knife. I knew that they used some sort of Crazy Glue years ago so you won’t get it off the rubber frame. What you want to do is just get the foam off and don’t worry about the glue.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/druidsdecendant/Paintball/A%20Whippersnapper%20Tutorial/9b88ecf8.jpg