Filters
Recently viewed products
A Simple Guide to Weapon Care Products
Keeping Your LARP Gear in Top Shape
Caring for your LARP gear can be simple: you don't need a room full of chemicals or a long list of specialized tools. In fact, Epic Armoury's weapon maintenance range is really simple: we have two products that does everything you need, maintenance gel and repair glue.
If you have these two products in your maintenance kit, you’ll be able to maintain your gear on a day-to-day basis and handle small emergencies while travelling.
Maintenance Gel
What Is It?
Maintenance gel is silicone-based and designed specifically for foam and latex weapons. Important to note that, unlike oils or sprays for household use, it will not eat at latex or leave behind a sticky film. This gel creates a thin layer of protection that leaves a flexible surface and resists cracking.
Why It’s Important
Think of it like moisturization for your weapon! Foam and latex, when not cared for, dry out over time, particularly over long weekends at outdoor events where sun, dirt, and other weather can take a toll.
Without regular care, you may notice your weapon beginning to lose its shine, the surface feeling stiffer, or the foam starting to crack. Maintenance gel slows that process down significantly, helping your gear last for many more years while also keeping it safe to use in combat.
When and How to Use It
Before events: Wipe down your weapon with a soft cloth, then apply a thin coat of gel. This primes the surface for battle, giving it more resistance to wear and tear.
After an event: Clean away dirt and sweat with a cloth, then apply another thin layer. This restores flexibility and prepares the weapon for storage.
During storage: If you’re keeping your weapon unused for months, applying a coat of gel before storage helps prevent it from drying out.
Extra tip: A small cloth or sponge makes it easy to apply evenly. Less is more, a thin layer goes a long way.
Repair Glue
What Is It?
Repair glue is a strong adhesive designed for fixing small surface damages on latex or foam weapons. It’s different from regular glues, which can melt foam or make the surface brittle. This glue dries clear and flexible, blending neatly into the weapon’s coating.
Why Use It
Even the most careful adventurer can’t avoid accidents forever. Maybe your blade scrapes against a rock, or a shield press leaves a mark, or maybe it’s just years of enthusiastic use. That’s when repair glue steps in.
A small dab at the right time can stop a tiny tear from turning into a split, saving the weapon from a much shorter lifespan.
How and When to Use It
Spotting damage: Check your weapons after events for cracks, nicks, or lifted edges in the coating.
Applying glue: Use a thin layer to seal the damage, making sure it’s pressed flat.
Drying time: Let it dry completely before swinging the weapon again.
Extra tip: Always keep a small tube of repair glue in your camp gear. You might not need it often, but when you do, it feels like a lifesaver.
Building a Care Routine
With just maintenance gel and repair glue, you’ve got a simple system that covers 95% of what your weapons will ever need.
Here’s what a good care cycle might look like:
-
Before the adventure: Apply gel and check for cracks.
-
During the journey: Keep your gear flat or upright when not in use, and never leave it in the sun.
-
After the trip: Clean it up, reapply gel, and fix any small damage with glue.
-
Long term: Every few months, check unused gear to ensure it’s still in good shape.
It’s easy, it’s simple, and it makes a huge difference over time.
The Takeaway
Weapon maintenance doesn’t have to feel like a chore. It’s just a few minutes of care that adds years of life to your gear. The gel keeps your weapons flexible and fresh, while the glue handles the inevitable bumps and scrapes along the way.
Together, they’re a complete kit for LARP weapon maintenance, practical, effective, and easy enough for anyone to use. Think of it as part of your ritual: just as knights once sharpened their blades before battle, you’re caring for your foam and latex companions before the next big adventure.