After playing with your dartboard for quite some time, you may have noticed it becoming dry or dirty. You will also realize that it does not perform as well as before. So, you might have thought of trying to clean it. As a result, you might be wondering if your dartboard can get wet.
So, can it get wet? Yes, but only to some extent. Many new dartboards are made from bristle or sisal. This material can become warped or uneven when it absorbs too much water. Therefore, it’s generally a bad idea to leave it outside and soak large amounts of water, especially rain.
Allowing your dartboard to be exposed to too much water can cause permanent damage. You have to be careful about cleaning your dartboard to avoid compromising its quality and lifespan.
With that said, continue reading to know dartboards can get wet and how to take care of them properly.
How Long Do Dartboards Last?
In terms of how long do dartboards last, the lifespan of a dartboard depends on its characteristics. Generally, a quality board can last for 4 to 5 years, depending on the use and care. Nonetheless, if you play darts every day, the possible lifespan of your dartboard can be two years.
Moreover, there are many different kinds of dartboards, but bristle dartboards are the most common. Bristle dartboards are made from sisal fibers. As a result, they are highly durable and can last for a long time.
They’re constructed with a frame that is attached to the surface of a bristle dartboard made of thousands of compact sisal fibers. Since they are very tight, the tip of the darts sticks easily between these fibers and is fixed in place when you throw a dart towards the board.
How to Clean and Maintain a Dartboard
Overall, it is easy to clean a dartboard. In fact, all you need to clean your dirty dartboard is a spray bottle with water, but your most crucial cleaning tool is your spray bottle.
To clean your dartboard, follow the next steps.
- First, using a small cloth, remove any debris or dirt buildup on your dartboard before using your spray bottle.
- Then, slightly moisten your board by spraying lightly over it. It is better if your spray bottle has a mist feature. This is because the mist feature guarantees that your board will not absorb too much water. Aside from preventing too much water absorption, coating your dartboard lightly with water can help prevent warping, blistering, and mildew.
- After this, take off the external metal wire ring the attached numbers all over the dartboard. The tabs will keep the number wiring intact and in place. It will also help to note the position of the numbers. For instance, 20 will be placed on the red part at the 12 o’clock position.
- Next, pop the number wire off carefully from the tabs and remove it.
- Then, clean the wire and remove debris and dust buildup.
- Finally, spin your dartboard. You can move your board clockwise since the metal wire is removed. However, you need to move it until you see the following red space is at the 12 o’clock position. In addition, you have to stick to clockwise movement because this guarantees that the board is evenly worn.
It is recommended to clean and rotate your board at least every month to prevent it from becoming dry. Moreover, another helpful tip to keep your board in excellent condition and make it last long is also to provide proper care and maintenance to your darts.
As you play, again and again, the darts begin to get damaged. This results in wearing out the surface of your dartboard.
Furthermore, you also need to check the tips of your darts if there are burrs or small bents before and after playing. If you see any burrs, you can use a tip sharpener and rub the tips well.
What Happens When a Dartboard Absorbs Too Much Water
Generally, getting your dartboard soaked in water results in something unpleasant. As mentioned, bristle dartboards are composed of sisal fibers that are derived from sisal plants.
When these fibers get wet, their size increases. Moreover, as time passes by, the board will wear down and become deformed because the sisal fibers expand and shrink when there is too much water.
In addition, what makes the maintenance of dartboards more complex is that it is a challenge to determine if they have kept water.
For example, you think it is dry on the outside, but it’s actually moist on the inside since sisal fibers have a 25% to 30% water capacity. Therefore, it is best to practice caution so that the board can stay as dry as possible.
Why Some Want to Soak Their Dart Boards
Even when you use a dartboard regularly, there is no reason to soak it. Soaking a dartboard dates back to the early period of sport where people drenched their wooden boards to cover the holes made by tips of darts.
However, this is no longer a common practice now. It’s considered unnecessary because modern dartboards are made from different materials apart from wood. Moreover, you no longer see holes in dartboards now because the fibers near the area where the dart stuck on the board close these holes.
In addition, another problem is that many novice dart players tend to be under the notion that soaking a dartboard will make it last longer.
However, this will actually do more harm than good. If you soak your dartboards apart from the wooden ones, it will significantly reduce the lifespan of your board.
Conclusion
Finally, you have a better understanding of whether dart boards can get wet or not. Generally, it is okay to do it minimally, such as using a spray bottle to clean its surface.
However, it would be best to never leave it out in extreme weather conditions, like in very humid or rainy weather. Moreover, if you need to clean it, it’s best to use a mist spray bottle to prevent it from getting too wet.
