#Point blank vest carrier how to#
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DO Roll Your New Armor to Increase ComfortĪlthough it seems contradictory to the advice to store your vest flat, Dianne Zanzottera, a former police officer and Propper’s armor customer service specialist, advises officers to roll up a new soft armor vest to make it more comfortable more quickly. Let your vest air dry.Īlthough NIJ certification tests include temperature extremes, it’s best to store your armor vest flat, and in a cool, dry place to prolong its useful life. DO Hang Your Armor to Dryĭo not put it in the washing machine, do not dry clean it, and do not use an electric dryer, says Laserna. It might be tempting to spray a vest that’s gotten particularly funky with Febreze or Lysol, but don’t – those liquids can also damage the ballistic material.

If the outer waterproof membrane is compromised, the inner core of the vest can get wet and break down, losing its ballistic protection properties. Inspect your armor closely for any holes or tear as you wipe it down. Avoid alcohol or bleach wipes, as those chemicals can break down the ballistic material. If it’s cold out and you're not sweating, you can likely get away with more time between cleanings than in sweaty summer months.īe sure to use a mild soap detergent like Dawn or baby wipes. How often you clean your armor is up to you. You can accomplish this with a little soap and water and a clean cloth, then wipe away any excess moisture and hang it to dry. Just like anything else you wear, your armor naturally gets sweaty and dirty and needs to be freshened up.

“Don’t wash your armor” doesn’t mean you can’t clean it. Be sure to first remove any ballistic panels, trauma plates and straps and clean them separately, and reassemble your armor only after the carrier is completely dry. You can wash the carrier vest by itself on the gentle/delicate setting, but hang it to dry and don’t use fabric softener. (Don’t dry clean it, either, adds Laserna.) In short, washing your soft armor will turn it into heavy cloth with no ballistic benefit, so don’t put it in the washing machine. That material can't do its job if those fibers have loosened too much.” The weave begins to relax, and that's when bullets get through. “When the fibers loosen up and separate, you'll lose the protection. “We recommend keeping the whole insert dry to prevent possible water intrusion if the seal is broken,” he said. Submerging tightly woven fabric like Kevlar in water will loosen the material, causing it to degrade and break down. Assuming the watertight seal has not been broken, it’s OK to get the ballistic insert wet without damaging the fibers.īut Laserna warns that it’s best to avoid submerging the insert just in case the seal has been broken. Generally, Kevlar/aramid panels are housed inside a watertight sleeve, which is then inserted into an internal or external carrier. Soft ballistic armor can stop a bullet, but it is not machine washable. “It's very important that officers read the instructions carefully and follow them to the letter if they really want to get the maximum benefit and maximum protection from their vests for years to come,” he said, “because we can't guarantee if they don't follow the instructions that the vests are going to work properly.” 2. “We include care instructions with every vest that we ship so that the officers who receive them know not to make the mistakes that could ruin the Kevlar aramid fibers,” said Ace Laserna, national armor sales manager for Propper, which offers several ballistic vest options.

#Point blank vest carrier how to#

The manufacturer’s instructions should explain how to clean and store your armor.

#Point blank vest carrier download#

Whether you receive instructions with your vest or have to go download them, it’s important to read and follow them to avoid accidentally damaging your vest and voiding the warranty. Let’s be honest – most of us don’t bother reading the instructions that come with a new purchase. Here are seven do’s and don’ts for proper cleaning and care of body armor to keep your ballistic vest in good shape as long as possible. It’s also important to make sure your armor fits properly – check out this video for armor fitting tips.

Taking care of your body armor isn’t complicated, but it is important to do it right.