Helmet Resprays

[John Eacott]

Originally Posted by Andy_P

As a fellow motorcyclist I concur.

FWIW, there was a recent incident in Victoria Aus where a motorcyclist was fined for having a gopro mount stuck to his helmet. Apparently it was an unapproved attachment that could risk the integrity of the helmet. The premise being the glue could affect the resins. Total bull**** and just a way for the cops to justify them not being filmed. But, there is truth in solvents in paint reacting with some of the resins used.

Andy,

At the risk of going OT, the issue in Victoria was a particular sergeant at a particular station with a hard on for motorcyclists supporting his constables. Two tickets have been issued for helmet mounted cameras with no prosecution to date, even the instructors at Dawson Street have helmet cameras on their private helmets! The tickets were made against the rider having modified the helmet, ie having a protrusion >6mm which is against the helmet AS/NZS1698 which is currently under review since no State legislation in Australia supports a helmet certified to the national standard!

Nothing to do with glue, resin, solvents or anything sensible. Yes, I'm involved as an executive of the Victorian Motorcycle Council

[John R81]

Good on you, John

Too few people are willing to get involved

[blakmax]

A big risk

Guys, I'm with Paradism on this one. I have been personally associated (but not directly involved) with an investigation into the failure of a police motorcycle rider's helmet when it impacted a concrete gutter and resulted in the subsequent demise of said officer. I have seen three-point bend tests where the virgin helmet material was stressed without failure and then a few drops of a common cleaning solvent were applied and failure was almost instantaneous. Evidently the officer was cleaning his helmet with that solvent on a regular basis.

I wonder how many readers ride motorcycles and clean their helmets with solvent?

I would want to see strong test evidence to show a reasonable outcome before I re-painted something on which my life could depend.

Regards

Blakmax

[misterbonkers]

I have also heard that you should not put stickers on you helmet (motorcycle or flying etc) for two reasons;

A) the shell is designed to dissipate the impact shockwave around your head - stickers can interfere with the propagation

B) the glue can effect the shell.

[John Eacott]

My bike helmet (BMW) is quite specific in prohibiting cleaning the shell with petrol or with solvents, only clean with mild soapy water. Alcohol based cleaners may be used. Painting only with manufacturer's approved paints, no mention of stickers which is not unexpected since government compliance stickers have to be attached. BMW recommend a 5 year life.

Unfortunately the paucity of information from Helmets Ltd on the Alpha 900 precludes any real knowledge of what to do and not to do The only instruction that I have is a photocopy of a page that highlights that the fitting pads must be stuck on the inside of the blue coolmax liner and not to the inside of the helmet shell. Obviously a reflection on the issue of the adhesive reaction with the shell material, but disappointing that a more comprehensive set of instructions aren't supplied with such an expensive and critical piece of safety equipment

[chute packer]

I have 17 yrs experience servicing mostly the 400 series ALPHAs.
Our own manuals derived from the HISL ones, said that to glue velcro on the helmet for NVG packs etc, we were to use ADOS F3, and never F2. F3 is simply a thicker version with much less solvents in it. The reason given was possible softening of the shell if we used the high solvent version.

[vaqueroaero]

I seem to remember that when my Alpha showed up, new in the box, it had a sticker on the outside with Alpha's logo on it, so I assume that maybe stickers on an Alpha are permissible?

[cockney steve]

so I assume that maybe stickers on an Alpha are permissible?

NO! But you CAN assume that the adhesive on the factory-affixed stickers , IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE SHELL MATERIAL.


Really, people, this could save your life (or kill you! )

Some helmet shells are machine moulded out of PolyCarbonate or ABS....They're both plastic, both will look the same, but their reaction, even to something as daft as spray-on furniture polish. could mean they split or shatter with a hard impact. Both plastics react differently to different chemicals......for "solvent" read"lots of commonly used household cleaners and polishes among other stuff" What may be safe on one, can be lethal on another....even sitting your helmet down on an oily hand -wiper could render it useless.

Then you have manually- moulded shells, Polyester or Epoxy resin, reinforced with glass /Carbon-Fibre / Kevlar.
Again, differences are pronounced.

In the latter days of the British motorcycle-industry's heyday, there was a vogue for "cafe--racers"....clip-on handlebars,rearset footrests and a big fibreglass petrol tank held on with a quick-release strap or bungee cords They were OUTLAWED when,in crashes, they disintegrated, tipping anything up to 6 gallons ofpetril across the accident scene.....an alloy tank will dent and leak a bit from the severed feed pipe, but won't form a giant molotov cocktail.

Stay safe! beware of using paint or stickers, the damage will be totally hidden until protection is required.

[John Eacott]

OK, who here is the chemical whiz that can make sense of the contents/composition of Plexus plastic polish and determine whether any overspray when using it to clean a visor may or may not be harmful to a helmet?

Plexus advocate using it for cleaning motorcycle helmets, yet the material safety data sheet indicates the presence of petroleum distillates and solvent naphtha. This thread has me wondering just what is acceptable and what isn't