druid
01-10-2008, 01:11 AM
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
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