Tape on (leather) equipment

[roller_Steve]

Seeing as how we are roller goalies in here, I think many of us have added tape to various parts of our equipment to reduce wear.

I have added tape (appropriately colored, of course) to a good deal of my leg pads on the inner rolls and on some of the knee rolls. These were the high-wear spots and as such they were worn somewhat (duh). Over time, the tape has changed color slightly and gotten dirty and looks less than pretty. But when I try to remove the tape, it is *really* stuck to the worn leather and it seems like removing it will do a whole lot of harm to the area.

I'd like to use Goof-Off or lighter fluid or something to weaken the adhesive but I'm not sure if these (or other) substances will have a harmful effect on the colored synthetic leather of my pads.

Any words of wisdom for me?

As a side question, anyone use that shoe-reinforcing stuff on their equipment? It's some kind of liquid you can apply that then hardens like a clear shell to protect from wear. I wish I knew the name. Does anyone know what I'm talking about?

[Srfmunlite]

Hi Steve,

Sorry I can offer no advice on tape removal but have had experience with using different types of goop to protect my equipment from wear and tear ( I play almost exclusively on concrete ). Most of the goalie's at our rink have taken to using PVC glue on the high wear areas on gloves ( around the perimeter ), blockers and inside toe sections on pads. This season I've been using "shoe goo" on these same areas. It has worked very well, but needs to be re-applied every 2-3 weeks ( I play 2-3 times a week). I've also seen a product called "tuff toe" used on skates and equipment and it seems to work but I haven't used it myself so I really don't know how well it actually works.

I hope that this helps you out, even a little bit....

[MillerTime247]

I just use good old duct tape on the wear areas on the end of my blocker. Nothing else I have (mostly cordura) has worn that much.

[Chasedog]

I'd try getting it wet, then letting it dry. Hopefully, after a few repetitions the tape will fall off. I bought, and some guys have made, chaps to cover my pads. I'm really happy with them, they were only $30 US, look good, and protect my pads.

[Colin]

Steve,
I just wanted to let you know that I know exactly what you're talking about, having done it myself...but I don't have any solutions for you.

[Bernie]

Steve, I would use a leather conditioner after the lighter fluid.

It is well known by most on the board that I have played many years and do not use any tape or anything to protect my equipment. I have found that top-line equipment holds it's own very well on rollon/sportcourt.

I have do adamantly protest the use of "ToughToe" to protect the skates or other equipment. This stuff will rub off leaving horrid black crayon-like streaks on the playing surface.

This overzealousness with protecting equipment is usually stemmed from the cheap-ass roller equipment out there. Top line ice equipment will last many, many years without protective treatment in Roller Hockey.

Bernie

[roller_Steve]

Thanks guys for all the comments.

I too believe good ice equipment survives well on the sport court surface. But I bought most of my equipment used and it was already worn in the key spots. Had I started with all new equipment, I probably would have done some good maintainence type stuff only.

That being said, one of the reasons I'd like to take the tape off is because I see that it doesn't really seem to be taking all THAT much abuse. That seems to indicate to me that I'm not putting a whole lot of wear and tear on my stuff - or at least nowhere near as much as I thought I was.

Looks like I'm getting a new catcher - a Heaton L3000 to replace/supplement my M3000. That will remedy some of this issue for me.