A flight case is primarily used to protect high-value items during transport (by land, sea, or air) from any number of different conditions (e.g. vibration, impact, pressure, dust, temperature changes, mishandling), and is therefore one of the most proven methods for protectively transporting and storing high-value equipment. Flight cases come in many different configurations based on application, including: musical instruments (e.g. guitars, drum sets), photography equipment, video production equipment (e.g. cameras, lighting), audio production equipment (e.g. PA equipment), medical equipment (e.g. MRIs), drones and industrial equipment. While it is essential to choose a case that meets your specific requirements, regardless of what you intend to put in it, flight cases generally provide the maximum level of protection possible for anything that you intend to transport or store in them. However, the fact that flight cases offer some of the best protection available does not mean that they don’t need regular maintenance to continue to offer best protection over time.
Regular maintenance will not only extend the life of the case, but it will also improve the case’s performance and reduce the chances of damaging the case when in use. In this comprehensive article, we’ll show you how to maintain your flight case correctly, avoid common issues and ensure that your flight cases remain in optimal condition for many years.
1. Regularly Clean the Flight Case
Cleaning your flight case regularly has to be the easiest maintenance task you can perform! Dust, dirt, stains and moisture build up over time and can damage the case. In addition, if not cleaned on a regular basis, your flight case will become weaker, faded and less effective in protecting your musical gear from harm.
Cleaning the Exterior
To clean the outer body of the flight case, use a soft microfiber cloth and a mild soap solution that is safe for use on plastic. Do not use harsh chemicals as they can damage the protective coating of the case or fade the colour of the case. After cleaning, make sure to dry the outside of the case completely before closing the case and putting it away.
Cleaning the Interior
Because of all of the equipment that you use and work with outside, the foam on the inside of your flight case collects dust from the air around you and also from equipment that has accumulated dirt on it. When cleaning the foam, the best method is to use a small handheld vacuum cleaner to suck the dirt and dust off of the foam. Do not spray water directly on to the foam as this can cause moisture damage as it will become trapped inside. If you find that there is a bad smell coming from the foam, you can put a small packet of baking soda in the case for twenty-four hours, which will absorb the smell naturally.
Cleaning the inside of your flight case is especially important for photography lenses, screens, microphones, lights and other delicate pieces of equipment that need to stay clean and free from dust.
2. Inspect Hardware and Fittings Frequently
Hardware parts are vital to the protection for your machine. This includes hinges, latches wheels, handles edged with aluminum, and metal corners. If any of these parts become damaged or becomes loose the entire structure will become fragile.
Latches and Hinges
Test the latches on all of them by removing then closing the casing a few times. If they seem loose then increase the tension on screws. If the latch doesn’t secure properly, replace it as soon as you notice. A defective latch could be able to open the case in a sudden manner in the course of transport, causing damage to the equipment.
Corners and Edges
The corners take the brunt of the impact when moving, lifting or lowering the case. Look for dents, cracks or loose rivets. Repairing damaged corners will help maintain the strength of the structure.
Wheels and Handles
For custom road cases that have wheels, make sure the wheels are turning effortlessly. If they seem heavy you can apply a small quantity of oil on the wheel. Replace the wheels that wobble or are shaky. Handles should be solid and secure. Unsecure handles could pose a risk when carrying and may cause injuries.
Regular inspections help you spot problems before they become larger and cost more to fix.
3. Keep your flight case safe from soaking up moisture
The humidity and moisture are the main causes of long-term damage. They can cause rust to metal components as well as weaken wooden panels and degrade foam. Moisture can also trigger the growth of mold and can cause damage to the case that protects it and the equipment that is stored inside.
Moisture Prevention Tips
Make sure your case is kept in a dry area. Do not place it on damp floors. After a trip outdoors, clean the case prior to storage. Utilize silica gel packs in the cases to reduce the moisture.This is crucial for custom flight cases that are in the coastal areas where humidity levels are high.
This is especially important for custom flight cases in coastal regions where humidity levels are high.
4. Maintain the Foam Interior Properly
The foam that is inside of the case assists in protecting equipment from shock and while moving the equipment; this foam is the primary source of protection for your equipment. If foam breaks down or becomes too soft or compressed, then your equipment has no longer has its main layer of protection.
Signs of Worn Out Foam
Check for deep marks, torn edges, bad odor, or foam that has lost its shape or has become excessively soft; when foam material has become too soft or compressed, replace it with new foam.
How to Extend Foam Life
Never place wet/sweaty equipment inside of a case, open the case occasionally to allow moisture to escape; do not overload the case and use anti-bacterial spray as required to remove odor and/or bacteria.
Having foam in good condition is vital to all equipment protection cases, especially delicate electronics and instruments.
5. Lubricate All Moving Components
Hinges, latches, and wheel bearings are all moving parts that require periodic lubrication for proper operation. Use a few drops of machine oil or silicone-based lubricant to keep them moving smoothly. Do not overdo the amount of oil you put on, because dust can accumulate with excess oil and increase wear on the components.
Proper lubrication helps to eliminate friction, prolongs the life of the case, and keeps the case operating successfully.
6. Avoid Overloading Beyond the Weight Limit
Every flight case is built with a specific weight limit based on the materials used to construct it, the interior configuration, and the strength of the hardware used. When you overload the case, it creates extra stress at the corners, hinge, handle, and wheel locations.
Tips to Avoid Overloading
Pack only what is needed and don’t exceed the weight limit recommended by the manufacturer. When you pack your case, evenly distribute your load throughout so that you do not stress any one area of your flight case too much.
Repeatedly overloading your flight cases will shorten their useful life and create an increased risk of significant damage during transit.
7. Store Your Flight Case Correctly
Storage is an essential factor in the long-term longevity of hardware. Improper storage practices can result in drying out, condensation and the weakening of the hardware.
Storage Best Practices
Keep the case upright to allow for stability. Don’t stack cases that are heavy over one another. Store it in a dry, cool and well-ventilated location. If you are storing it for a long time it is recommended to use a dust-proof cover to shield the surfaces.
Proper storage will ensure that the structure as well as the foam and hardware are in good shape for many years.
8. Repair Small Damages Before They Grow
A minor problem can transform into a huge repair if it is not addressed. Repairs that are done early save money and safeguard your equipment from risks.
Common Damage Signs
The loose screws, minor cracks, the foam peeling, wheel balance and tiny rust spots are signs that the vehicle’s case requires attention. Resolving these issues as soon as they arise keeps the case strong and helps prevent accidents.
If you travel frequently or use heavy-duty equipment, making use of ATA quality cases for flights or protective cases will provide more long-term efficiency.
9. Replace or Upgrade Components as Needed
The modular structure of flight cases allows for individual replacement of many components. A new case isn’t required until the main body is damaged.
When necessary, replace latches, hinges, corners, wheels, foam inserts, and rubber feet. By replacing worn parts, you extend the life of your custom road cases while increasing the overall safety of your items while in transit.
10. Purchase a High Quality Flight Case
While maintenance is very important, it is also very important that you invest in a flight case that is constructed properly and has strong basic design features. High quality flight cases feature better shock absorption, better joint construction, more durable hardware, heavier gauge aluminum frames, and stronger interior components that will last longer.
If you frequently travel or transport fragile items, you should use high quality protective cases as opposed to basic storage-type boxes. A sturdily built flight case will always give you greater long-term value.
Why Maadhu Flight Case is the Best Choice for Durability and Protection
Maadhu Flight Cases provide the best custom flight cases, road cases and protective cases to ensure that your flight case lasts for many years and continues to offer superior strength and durability after frequent use. They utilize the highest quality materials in constructing their cases, along with durable hardware, rugged profile constructions, and well-designed foam layouts. Our cases are suitable for use on tour, in industrial applications, in photography, for broadcast or communications, for consumer electronics and display equipment, as well as for municipal equipment.
Conclusion
While maintaining the integrity of your flight case may be fairly simple, it is still critical to maintain a regular cleaning regimen, periodically inspect all hardware for loose nuts or screws, maintain a routine check of the condition of the internal foam and provide moisture protection as needed when placing the flight case into storage, while addressing any minor repairs as needed. The use of whatever kind of case, whether it be a flycase, a custom flight case or a protective case provides professional-grade security, protection and insurance that your valuable equipment will remain protected and in working order and at the ready. For any professional whose livelihood depends on the continued reliability of his/her equipment protection, a well-maintained Maadhu Flight Case represents a smart and sound investment, ensuring that he/she is assured of having access to well protected, functional equipment at any moment in time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If you consistently use your flight cases then you will want to check them on an approximate monthly basis for any wear and tear. Once or twice a year will suffice if you only use them on occasion.
Once your flight case’s foam has lost its shape or become so soft that you cannot securely use it to protect your gear then you should consider replacing the foam.
Yes, a broken or damaged wheel can significantly weaken the overall structural strength of a flight case. Damaged wheels can put additional stress on other areas of the case, such as the handles and frame. Therefore, to protect your equipment from additional damage you should replace a broken wheel as soon as possible.