k_obeastly

Is it safe putting chemicals onto the outer shells of helmets? Is there a specific paint and/or clear coat that should be used? Universally of course, I'm also going to be checking with the manufacturer of the helmet in mind before purchasing as this would just be one more helmet for special occasions.

edit: I see helmets with custome graphics so I know it can be done...Currently checking with a manufacturer of a helmet I do like...I almost don't expect to hear back from them as it probably comes off as a 13 year old looking for sponsorships.

Johnny Mullet

Painting the plastic shell part of the helmet should not be a problem, but not the foam part. Not sure what paint would be best though.

mprelaw

That little thin plastic shell is mainly for aesthetics. It offers little to no added protection to your head. At best it delays tearing of the foam if you slide after a crash. I don't see how paint could harm it.

J.C. Koto

Water-based paints are probably OK for use since they would be less likely to damage the styrofoam but other types of paint, particularly those that contain toluene as a solvent could easily damage the helmet.

Retro Grouch 

The helmet manufacturers say not to do it - but I have.

Nightshade

And do you know if the structural integrity has been compromised by painting them??

There has to be a reason owners are cautioned not to paint helmets.........

Wolf Dust

As long as no chemicals/paint gets on the foam part of the helmet it will not effect the helmet's ability to protect your head. The reason the companies say not to do it is because they have no idea who's competent and who's not. It will void the helmet's warranty of course. I've painted the shell of a helmet before with regular Krylon spray paint and it did not harm it. That was in the days when it was still easy to remove the shell by peeling off the thin strip of tape that held it on.

I-Like-To-Bike

Perhaps the same reason helmet merchandisers recommend replacing helmets every few years. You want another color? Buy another helmet!

Wolf Dust

The problem is going to be getting the paint to adhere well since sanding/scuffing the helmet's shell will not be an easy thing because of its many vents with small nooks and crannies that are hard to get to. I know Krylon has a paint ,(i think it's called Fusion), which is specifically formulated to bond to plastics.

Wolf Dust

The reason helmet manufacturers recommend replacing your helmet every few years is because the foam gradually deteriorates over time. The bike helmets of old had no shells over the foam and the u.v. rays from the sun accelerate the deteriation process even more. The shell protects the foam from u.v. rays and from minor scuffs an abrasions and looks better, and that's mainly all its for.

Retro Grouch 

Don't know. That was about 20 years ago. All I can tell you is those helmets never failed in any way and I don't remember ever crashing seriously while wearing one. I don't remember what kind of paint I used.

CliffordK

How about getting some of that 20 year old foam helmets covered by netting...

Then you could custom sew some netting.

For that matter, perhaps consider making some custom bug-proof netting for your modern helmet.

Anyway, I would tend to agree... for the thin-shell helmets, the thin plastic is mainly there to protect the foam (like the netting was 20 years ago). The foam is what protects your head, whether it disintegrates on impact or not.

I would have to question about all the TDF riders that have matching team helmets... and yellow helmets and polka-dot helmets. Are all those custom designs actually formed into the plastic, or are they just painted on?

Perhaps you could try water-slide decals.

Nachoman

Your forgetfulness is likely a result of suffering a crash while wearing a hand painted helmet.

Retro Grouch 

Yeah, that's probably it. My short term memory is even worse.

J.C. Koto

Probably from all those paint fumes I kid, I kid..

Retro Grouch 

Phil_gretz

Like Conrad Birdie in his swanky motorcycle outfit. Made Ann Margaret swoon...

Just sayin'

Little Darwin

I'm guessing that along with wanting to sell additional helmets, the reason a manufacturer would discourage painiting helmets would be that the helmets as they are delivered are tested, and any change could tweak a characteristic of the helmet. If you crash with a painted helmet, and some solvent got on the foam, your heirs could sue the manufacturer... they can defend themselves well if they have a policy against painting helmets.

I'm guessing they would use the same defense with my heirs for my helmet, even though the only modification is a name sticker on each side.

I-Like-To-Bike

The next logical step for the helmet merchandisers to promote sales AND as a preemptive legal defense strategy is to assign and attach an arbitrary expiration date to their helmets.

Little Darwin

Yep, just like medicine and canned food... We shouldn't eat our canned food because it expired last month, but I suspect if I threw it out, and someone found it in the land fill in 4 years, they wouldn't be able to tell the difference between it and a fresh can.