Is there any reason why putting vinyl decals on a helmet would be unsafe?
I recently purchased this helmet:







And at another forum a few people mentioned that they thought you weren't supposed to put decals or stickers onto a helmet for safety reasons. So, I figured I'd ask here as well

Thanks

 

um, no reason I can think of, just don't cover up the certification (the sticker on the back) and you'll be fine

 

That's what I thought too. The booklet that came with the helmet mentioned something about adding reflective stickers or painting But since it's my first helmet, I figured it's better to ask

 

Helps make sure your nogin is easily spotted in a problem/crash.

 

Might the concern be that a sticker could hide a crack in the helmet? Just guessing.

 

I have stickers on mine and no one complains...

 

They're just bitchin cuz that they cannot read your stickers as you fly on by them at the track.

 

Well, I'm not TOO worried about it, but as it was a "Safety" concern raised, I decided it would be best to ask and possibly look foolish than to not ask and possibly look... dead

 

Some of the Chemicals in glue and paint could possibly weaken the helmet.

Thats was the reasoning provided to me, and why many are told if they want graphics they are better off habing the supplier paint them on.

 

But this would depend on the composition of the helmet, right? Such as plastic vs. Fiberglass??

Thx

 

F1 has different sponsors for different races and use their stickers or decals on the helmets all the time.

 

What I would do in your situation, is contact the regional NASA director and ask your question in regards to matters of safety. They will be able to provide you with a more detailed, proper answer that will matter come tack day.

 

NASA eh? Well, the Marshall Flight Center IS just down the road
I'll look into it dude, thanks

 

hahaha

NASA= National Auto Sport Association....not astronauts

http://www.nasaproracing.com/

 

Thx

 

No problem...didnt want you blasting into outerspace

 

As a mountaineer, I can tell you that at least half of the helmets I see sport decals or stickers. I do not believe the "protection" provided by the helmet is reduced. The chemicals in a bumper sticker seem to be relatively non-reactive. Manufacturers like to protect themselves from potential liability by saying that any modification of their product is unsafe... Kind of like installing a CAI on your mini might void your warranty. I would not worry about stickers or decals, but painting the whole helmet is another matter.

 

I looked into it a bit with regards to motorcycle helmets. What I turned up was that solvents in paint, and potentially in the glue of a sticker (and there can be some strong solvents in glue), can degrade the composition of the helmet making it more brittle, the impact absorbing nature of it less effective. Its hard to say how long it takes or to what degree, if any, what glue or paint might have a significant effect on what helmet since they can all be made of different things. Yes, commercial teams do all sorts of things to helmets, but they also turn them over often, and as I want mine to last I figured that safe is better then sorry - I'd hate to find out that the helmet is somehow weakened the hard way.

Of course you are likely okay with a little sticker and the manufacturers are probably just being over careful as previously stated. In in the end I decided that I want to keep the warranty and the manual is clear about painting or stickers - my helmet was not cheap and the 5 year warranty is nice to have.

Edit: If by vinyl decal you mean the kind applied without any real glue and with spray water, like a clear bra, then I'd think that would be safe since it does not utilize a strong adhesive... just my .02

 

I just got an e-mail back from Harry Turner, the SCCA Pro Racing Senior Technical & Race Operations Director; who said that he nor anyone else around there, had ever heard of such a thing.

When I was in the USAF, aircrew decorated their flight helmets with all kinds of stuff. Some crews taped their entire helmet with camo tape.

What I would do if I felt this was an issue, is give my helmet a good coat of clear epoxy, then put the sticker on. Decals are a better bet.

 

I did a quick search and got all sorts of results with regards to all sorts of helmets and brands - some stated not to put anything on, not to even clean the helmet with anything not basically water since some cleaners can contain petrolium products or solvents ,etc.

Here's one that came up about bike helmets and stickers: http://www.helmets.org/stickers.htm

The bottom line is that it is kind of hard to say - I guess you can only go by what the manufacturer tells you since you don't know what all the parts of the helmet are made of and what chemicals might effect the shell, the impact foam, or adhesives they use to hold it all together.

 

Oh, and Gromit, I don't know if epoxy is a good idea if it makes the surface harder - a good helmet is designed to protect and spread the shock of the impact, making the surface harder (if it does) may change the dynamics. I'm not a helmet expert but helmet technology has come a long way over the years and I think that they probably function best as they were tested by DOT/Snell/Euro Bike Helmet Standard

 

Thanks for all the input folks Since I don't plan on covering the helmet in decals I figure I'll go ahead as planned and just keep an eye out

 

Clear acrylic might be a good idea then. I can't possibly conceive how that would affect a helmet. I use acrylics and plactic together all the time.

 

You also need to worry about the inner layer which is made of material similar to styrofoam cups. Solvents can degrade and damage this area, and it is hard to see it since it is covered by the padding inside the helmet.

(try spray painting a styrofoam cup to see what happens)

 

All depends how well you loisten to your instructor, and how fast you go