Safer Sports with Plastic Coating

Sports and injuries, unfortunately, tend to go hand in hand. In the mid-1800s, as leisure time increased and sports became more popular activities, safety equipment was minimal. By the late 1800s, football helmets made of padded leather and hockey shin guards made of reinforced leather, based on English cricket pads were pretty much the extent of safety gear. Thankfully, we've made tremendous advancements since then, in large part due to the invention of plastic and innovations in formulations and techniques.

In addition to sports equipment that's made of plastic, adding plastic coatings to many pieces of sports equipment can improve their functionality and effectiveness while adding protection from the environment and wear and tear.

One of the most effective plastic coatings for sporting goods is plastisol. Cost-effective and highly versatile, it offers numerous benefits, including:

• Soft, Rubbery Feel — Plastisol coatings can add a little softness and "give" to hard pieces of equipment, making impacts with them less jarring and less likely to cause injury. This rubbery feel endures in all kinds of weather, and makes coated equipment easier to grip, even with sweaty hands or in the rain or cold weather. 
• Color Coding — Equipment can be coated in different colors of plastisol for easy identification, so correct sizes or other equipment features can easily be determined and matched with their users. 
• Smoothness — Plastisol coatings are very smooth and can cover over uneven or rough parts of equipment, helping prevent injury.
• Antibacterial/Antimicrobial — Plastisol has natural germ-fighting qualities, and additives to its formulation can enhance these abilities — a plus for shared equipment.

Other plastic coatings, such as nylon and epoxy, can add protection and durability to sports equipment, so it lasts longer and in better shape. All plastic coatings can protect from environmental exposure, so equipment is less likely to rust or otherwise weaken.

At Precision Dip Coating, we take safety seriously, with the products we coat, and in our own facility. Contact us today to learn more about our plastic coating capabilities and many added services.