We build our paddles to last but a little extra care can go a long way. Here are a few tips to keep your paddle looking good and playing its best.
- When you’re finished playing clean your grip. Wipe it down with a towel or even a part of your shirt.
- Don’t leave your paddle in hot places or on hot surfaces. i.e. in the trunk of your car, on heating appliances or other hot surfaces. Your paddle is made of an epoxy resin and exposure to high heat can have an adverse effect on its long-term durability.
- It’s OK to play with your paddle outdoors but do not leave it exposed to the sun for long periods of time. i.e. don’t leave it sitting on a picnic bench for days at a time, the backseat of your car if it’s parked outdoors, or in front of a window with large sun exposure. All our paddles use a UV protective coating on the surface but that does not make our stains immune to the effects of the sun. Prolonged exposure to the sun will eventually fade the colour.
- If you have one of our natural paddles it will darken with time. This is normal and in our opinion enhance the natural beauty of the paddle.
- If you have a tendency to go for low shots and scuff the edge of your trim, use a piece of tape, such as electrical tape, around the outer perimeter to mitigate the effects of scuffs and scrapes.
- Due to the nature of the core of the paddle it is normal for edge trim to pull away slightly from the sides of the paddle. To keep your paddle looking its best you may at some point need to reglue it. If this is the case we can recommend the appropriate adhesives or you are welcome to send it back to us and we will gladly reattach the trim for you. (Check out our paddle trim replacement video)
- Don’t use your paddle to hit anything heavier than a Pickleball. We share courts with some tennis players and occasionally a tennis ball ends up on our side. Yes we reenforce the neck of our paddles BUT they are not designed to hit anything but a Pickleball. Tennis balls, not so much.
- If playing in the rain wipe the paddle dry before storing.
- To clean the face of the paddle use mild soap and water on a damp cloth. Never use paint thinners, acetone or other harsh chemicals.
- If your grip is worn or becomes slippery, replace it or add an over grip. Its easy and inexpensive.
- When you finish a game and tap paddles at the end, never let someone tap your paddle face. When you tap paddles tap the handles.
- Be cautious if you are playing outdoors in below freezing temperatures. Cold temperatures will weaken and make laminate and glue bonds, the core material, and plastics more brittle. All of which can lead to premature paddle failure. If you are playing out doors, use a paddle you don’t mind breaking. Also if playing indoors, warm your paddle up before playing it.
- Some people like to add a little weight to their paddle. The key word is little. Don’t overweight your paddle. Paddles are generally not tested for adding a lot of weight. A couple of points of an once are probably ok, but don’t try to make a 7.5oz paddle an 8.2oz. Adding too much weight can lead to handle failure. If you want a heavier paddle buy a heavier paddle.
We spent a lot of time making your Brick*House paddle and we hope you take a little time to keep your paddle looking and playing its best.