[Complete Guide] How to Repair Your Kendo Men-en and Do-dai by Yourself | Repair Techniques Even Beginners Can Do

As you practice kendo, your armor will accumulate scratches from various strikes. It is inevitable that the paint on the edges of the mask will peel off and the dodai will become scratched.

"It's expensive to ask a armor shop to repair it..."
"It would be convenient if I could repair it myself..."

For all kendo practitioners who have such concerns, this article will explain in detail the specific methods for repairing your men-en and dodai yourself. Even beginners can feel at ease with this, as the necessary materials and tools, work procedures, and precautions are all explained in detail with photos.

How to paint the edges yourself

Peeling paint on the edges of your furniture not only makes it look bad, but it also exposes the underlying surface, causing it to deteriorate. Here we will explain in detail how to repair edges using cashew.

Materials and tools needed

1. Cashew (edge ​​paint)

Cashew paint is used to repair edges. You will need two colors: red and black. It is also sold at home improvement stores.

[Precautions when handling cashews]

• Since it hardens easily, do one task at a time.
• If it gets on your hands, it won't come off with water (it can be removed with thinner)
• Work carefully to avoid getting it on the faceplate or futon.
• After use, close the container tightly

2. Brushes (long and short)

It is convenient to have two types of brushes: one long and one with a shorter handle folded over.

The fine details inside are drawn with a short brush.This will prevent paint from adhering to the inner ring.

3. Thinner

Thinner Uses:

• Diluting cashews when they become hard
• Removing cashews from the metalwork
• Cleaning the brush after work
• Wiping cashews off your hands

Edge repair procedure

[Step 1] Check the condition before starting work

The edges of the surface have peeled off, revealing the color of the base. If left like this, it will look bad and may deteriorate further.

[Step 2] Remove peeling paint

Remove as much of the already peeling material as possible.

Tools used:

• Stiff-bristled scrubbing brush
• 金ブラシ
• Chopsticks and a flathead screwdriver

[Step 3] Apply red cashew paint

How to paint the inside (important points):
To avoid getting paint on the inner ring fabric, hold the inner ring with your fingers as shown in the picture while painting. Using a short brush makes the job easier.

To paint the exterior:
Be careful not to spill over onto the black parts. If any paint gets on the center of the metal, you can remove it with thinner.

Condition after application

After applying red cashew,Allow to dry completelyDrying time will vary depending on the environment, but it should take at least a few hours.

[Step 4] Apply black cashew paste

Be careful not to paint over the red areas.

[Tips for a beautiful finish]
If you apply it too thinly, it will create bumps and look bad.Applying multiple coatsDoing this will result in a beautiful finish.

When to apply a second coat: Apply the next coat once the paint has dried to the point where it no longer sticks to your hands.

Finished state after application

After applying the black cashew, allow it to dry completely.

[Step 5] Let it dry completely

Allow to dry for at least 24 hours before use, longer drying times may be required in humid environments.

Can a magic marker be used instead?

How to re-dye a face futon

After repainting the edges, it will look even better if you also adjust the color of the futon. If the color has faded or if it has been exposed to salt, we recommend re-dyeing.

Required materials

Indigo dye restoration liquid

→You can order here!

Re-dyeing procedure

1. Apply the dye
Use a brush to apply the product evenly over the entire futon, being careful not to apply it unevenly.

2. Allow to dry thoroughly
Avoid direct sunlight and dry in a well-ventilated place.

Condition after application

The color will darken and it will look like new again.

How to repair the dome yourself

There are three main types of dodai, each made from different materials, so the appropriate repair method will also differ.

Dodai type:

• Bamboo body (lacquered on the surface)
• Yamato body (resin body, painted finish)
• Fiber body (hard paint finish)

How to repair a bamboo body

The bamboo body is on the surfacelacquerLacquer is hard, but scratches can be made less noticeable by polishing it.

The lacquer is usually applied thickly, so unless you sand it very hard, you won't scrape it all off.

Method 1: Polishing with compound

Required materials: Compound

This is an abrasive used for repairing car bodies. It does not fill scratches,Polish the surface to smooth out the scratchesThis makes scratches less noticeable.

Repair Procedure

[Bamboo body before repair]

There is a noticeable white scratch in the red circle.

1. Apply the compound
Put a small amount of compound on the scratched area.

2. Polish in a circular motion

Polish gently without applying too much pressure.

[Bamboo body after repair]

The whitish scratches are no longer noticeable. They haven't completely disappeared, but they have improved considerably.

Method 2: Add a glossy finish with protective oil for kendo equipment

Required materials: Guardian Full Coat K

This wax was developed specifically for the dodai and dom chest areas. It can also be used as shinai oil.

effect:

• Adding gloss
• Surface moisturizing
• Make scratches less noticeable

How To Use

[Bamboo body before repair]

1. Application
Take Guardian Full Coat K with your fingers and apply a thin layer all over.

2. Wait
Leave it for about 30 minutes to penetrate.

3. Polishing
Wipe and polish with a soft cloth.

[Bamboo body after repair]

It gives a shiny finish and makes scratches less noticeable. It is also recommended for regular maintenance.

How to repair a Yamato body (resin body)

The Yamato body is made of resin and is finished with a coat of paint. Unlike lacquer, this paint柔 ら か いTherefore, if you sand it with compound like you would with a bamboo body, the entire piece will turn whitish.

Recommended method: How to make a glossy finish with oil

Recommended: How to create a glossy finish with oil

[Yamato fuselage before repairs]

Instructions:
Apply Guardian Full Coat K and polish with a cloth.

[Left half polished]

It doesn't completely remove the scratches, but the gloss makes them less noticeable.

Very deep scratches (where the internal resin is visible) cannot be repaired.

Not recommended: Polishing with compounds

[Before repair (right half)]

Apply compound and polish.

[After repair]

The scratches are no longer noticeable, but the whole thing looks whitish.

in conclusion: In the case of Yamato body, the method of giving it a glossy finish with oil produces a more beautiful finish.

How to repair a fiber barrel

The fiber body has a hard surface paint, just like the bamboo body.Repairing with compound is effective.

However, scratches deeper than the thickness of the paint cannot be removed with compound.

Method 1: Polishing with compound (recommended)

[Fiber barrel before repair]

Apply compound and polish.

[Fiber barrel after repair]

It became so shiny that the photographer was visible in the photo. The fiber barrel has a hard coating, so repairing it with compound is extremely effective.

Method 2: Gloss with oil

[Fiber barrel before repair]

Take a small amount of Guardian Full Coat K and polish.

[Fiber barrel after repair]

It gave the car a glossy finish and made scratches less noticeable. It's not as glossy as compound, but it's still an effective way to give it a glossy finish.

Summary

Repairing the edges of the face and the dodai is not as difficult as you might think. In fact, it's a fun way to carefully maintain your own armor.

[Summary of each repair method]

Repairing the edges

• Prepare cashews (red and black), a brush, and thinner
• Remove peeling paint and then paint
• Apply red → black, and let each step dry thoroughly.
• Using a magic marker as a substitute is not recommended.

Re-dyeing a face futon

• Uses indigo dye restoration liquid
• Apply evenly to the entire surface with a brush
• Allow to dry thoroughly

Repairing the dodai

Bamboo body:

• Polish with compound (to make scratches less noticeable)
• Add shine with Guardian Full Coat K

Yamato body (resin body):

• Add shine with Guardian Full Coat K (recommended)
• Compounds are not recommended as they turn white.

Fiber body:

• Polishing with compound (most effective)
• Guardian Full Coat K is also acceptable

Finally

Kendo equipment can be used for a long time if it is carefully maintained.

Try using the repair methods introduced here to restore your precious armor with your own hands.

Painting the inside of the edges can certainly be difficult, but once you get used to it, you'll be able to do it without any problems.

For first-time users, we recommend starting by repairing the dodai. Using Guardian Full Coat K to give a glossy finish is an easy method that anyone can do, and you can easily see the results.

Taking good care of your armor will also help you improve your kendo skills. We hope you will enjoy the fun of maintaining your armor yourself.