Helmet issue..

[Ed Doe]

nice one Jamie, gotta agree; pics!!

[kieranyeh]

You may be a professional sprayer but you still have a lot to learn about paints, helmet paint is very specialised only the helmet manufacturer can use.

I'm not a professional sprayer, I spray paint bikes every week. I'm a professional bike restorer? but that means using spray paint. I haven't started using guns yet, but that's my future plan. In general I'm very good with paint, but I'm in no way a genious, I just read online what I need to know when it comes to this sort of thing.. I can only hope to be as good as you with my paint knowledge one day

Never put gloves etc in a helmet either.. everyone does but it isnt great

Whys that?

Not criticising btw. Just curious. Never heard that before!

Bacteria builds up in the lining off the surface of your gloves.
And yes, you should never spray a helmet unless you're using solventless/low reactive paints, the solvent in most paints, and especially panel wipe used beforehand, softens the resin matrix of the shell.

Yeah that's what I found out, something to do with the deterioration / softening of the hardened shell, it can happen but as most people said, not best to take the risk.

I'm too pro to crash, and if I do I'll make sure I don't hit my head in that case.

obviously joking

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nice one Jamie, gotta agree; pics!!

It's just aerosoled black. Looks sick, regardless of if I use it, great feature for my mantelpiece

There are so many rules surrounding helmets I can't help but get suspicious, yes "theres no point in taking the risk" blah blah, but at the end of the day I bought it second hand.. I used to work in bikehut and we had to throw out helmets once they were dropped.. how do I know this one hasn't been dropped? So you can understand why I'm still not that bothered that a chemical reaction that may or may not effect the film layer over the helmet may have taken place.

TBH, it's my new Karting helmet, I go enough to warrant getting one, and there's less risk in an indoor karting arena at 30mph.

The reason it was sold could well be because of someone being suspicious about the reliability of it, and yet I bought it..

I'm not the only one, theres over 1000 used helmets on ebay, and Steve got his at a car boot, £4 was the bargain of the century!

Edit: I have got a before picture:

[Rippthrough]

Well, that's why most of us don't buy second hand helmets unless we know who we bought them off...

[kieranyeh]

Well, that's why most of us don't buy second hand helmets unless we know who we bought them off...

eBay search came back with over 1000 results for used helmets..

[Bananalad]

Some crap in this thread, it's only a bit of paint. Not like you drilled speed holes into it

[Rippthrough]

Well, that's why most of us don't buy second hand helmets unless we know who we bought them off...

eBay search came back with over 1000 results for used helmets..

Yes, that's because there's well over 1000 morons in this world.

[kieranyeh]

Some crap in this thread, it's only a bit of paint. Not like you drilled speed holes into it

You're my new favourite person. Thank god someone is there.

It's a big f*ck off layer of polystyrine between me along with the massive metal shell around me and the road. I might mention I only have plans to use on a few occasions.. I'm not a motorbike rider using it on a daily basis

Though, I'll be sure not to put my gloves in it just incase the bacteria in the linings ruins the protective layer of the helmet

[Bender]

What you have to remember is the helmet paint is part of its strength let alone solvents weakening it more. Effectively you have a helmet worse than a bike one now.

Yes take the risk you are welcome to but ignorance of the facts can mean a high possibility of you seriously injuring yourself.

You wouldn't use a seat belt latched together with cable ties would you, effectively that what you will be doing wearing this helmit. Most of us here are tryjng to help you be safe as possible, if you think that is a bad thing then thats up to you.

[kieranyeh]

What you have to remember is the helmet paint is part of its strength let alone solvents weakening it more. Effectively you have a helmet worse than a bike one now.

Yes take the risk you are welcome to but ignorance of the facts can mean a high possibility of you seriously injuring yourself.

You wouldn't use a seat belt latched together with cable ties would you, effectively that what you will be doing wearing this helmit. Most of us here are tryjng to help you be safe as possible, if you think that is a bad thing then thats up to you.

Great. Now you tell me, I won't bother painting my seatbelt buckles anymore..

I don't think its a bad thing, I appreciate the advice, but being called ignorant isn't keeping me safe. I'm aware of the risk, and as I said in the beginning, I appreciate the advice

[Ed Doe]

Tbh I'd go so far as to suggest all of the helmets Combe rent out have been dropped in their working lifespan, thus making them completely dangerous....

So basically the option is your spray painted one.... Or a well dropped rental from Combe.... I know which I'd prefer...

[kieranyeh]

Tbh I'd go so far as to suggest all of the helmets Combe rent out have been dropped in their working lifespan, thus making them completely dangerous....

So basically the option is your spray painted one.... Or a well dropped rental from Combe.... I know which I'd prefer...

Good shout, hadn't thought about it that way

[Poodle]

Just FYI, all you people who know the truth on this issue and are doing your best to save Keiran's life, did you see the article in the daily mail about tap water causing cancer? We must start our awareness campaign here, bottled water for life!

[Niall]

Just FYI, all you people who know the truth on this issue and are doing your best to save Keiran's life, did you see the article in the daily mail about tap water causing cancer? We must start our awareness campaign here, bottled water for life!

Dont drink plastic bottled water. that also causes cancer as the plastic slowly degrades into the water over time. Posh glass bottled water is a must to save my life! /Ed

[Ed Doe]

That and tittivated air. I can't breathe normal air. It burns

[Niall]

Only the finest of Surrey and Sussex air for Mr Doe

[kieranyeh]

I f*cking love this forum.

[Piggy]

lol!

there is normally a lot of trolling.
but remember you are on track with other people who may plough into you.....its your life. not worth risking imo. the shell is where the strength is.
dont buy second hand.
dont paint and dont put stickers on them

[Bananalad]

Ha god forbid you crash with a sticker on your helmet that sounds fatal

[Toms306]

Sounds painful also...especially removing the sticker from your helmet!

[Ed Doe]

Guys seriously all fair points made as regards spraying helmets etc, but for goodness sake most of us go for a spirited drive every so often on public roads with no helmet. It's not a friggin race series, it's a track day. Yes the speeds are higher and if it goes wrong obviously that relates to a bigger smash potentially, but imo you're at significantly less risk than going for a blat down your favourite backroads, which you'd do withouta helmet...

IIt's certainly very interesting information but id hardly say it's as important in this scenario where there should not be any actual racing...

[Piggy]

then why do they insist on a helmet!!

Most of us have been to combe...you can do 100 easy on a couple sections in a slow car...and when people come off, and they do, on the bend just before the pit exit, its one heck of impact into the tyres.
I have also seen a few rolls in castle combe, where there have been rutts left in the grass from a wet day, it dries and then someone spins off and the wheels dig in. big ouch

if the structural integrity of the shell has gone due to age/being dropped/painted or stickers etc, then if, and I hope no one does, you were to have an accident, the helmet could crack and crush your head rather than absorb the impact.

[Poodle]

Wasn't going to argue this, but piggy's head is living up to it's name and i can't resist. (What do you mean i'm a pot..?)

So, lets say you come off a track at 130mph and hit something hard enough that the car doesn't absorb the impact, now the helmet has an opportunity to come into play, or does it.... Considering how hard you have to smash the car for personal protective gear to be of any import, how much use do you think a piddly helmet is actually going to be? Is it going to stop the engine shunting back through the bulkhead into your legs? Or maybe it'll catch the spar that's heading for your ribs? If the roof comes in, i'm sure it'll be able to stop your neck from snapping, wouldn't it..? Or maybe, just maybe, it'll do f*ck all and it's only there to keep the health and safety brigade happy...

Still sceptical? Fair enough, why aren't cages compulsory then? I mean, they'd be a damn sight more use than the obligatory helmet, in fact with a cage in the car i can actually begin to see the benefit from wearing a helmet!

[Ed Doe]

They insist on a helmet because although you sign a waiver that you drive on track at your own risk etc etc etc, it shows they have done everything possible to ensure your safety. It's due diligence. Exactly the same as Go Karting tracks (how often to drunken idiots on stag weekends drop those!).

And I'm not arguing, I think it's sensible to have a helmet rule on track, but my point is everyone jumping on the bandwagon as regards structural integrity is imo making a bit much of it in relation to driving on a track-day.

So you can get up up 100 easily on track. You can also be involved in a serious collision on the road when travelling inside the speed limit. Should we all wear helmets all the time just in case?

I would imagine part of the thinking behind wearing a helmet on track is it's a blanket cover for people who drive open cars such as Caterhams etc. I would also imagine that as trackdays are open to all, and they can't check everyone's cars for bits on the parcel shelf or stuff in the boot, the helmet also protects against unsecured items in the car itself.

Basically, I totally agree that a helmet should be worn on track, but all this palava about reducing the strengh of the helmet by spraying it is imo way over the top. If it was a race series, or any sort of competitive driving my opinion would be completely different, but that's exactly why the helmets have stickers and why your race equipment must go through strutineering.

[Bananalad]

Does anyone think a sticker will really weaken the structural integrity of a helmet? Think your taking this all abit to seriously it's only a helmet, whatever you do don't google 'sticker bomb helmet' you may well have a heart attack.

[kieranyeh]

I'll be honest guys..

I just want a helmet thats black as f*ck, that in turn makes me look proper racecar.. and I wan't it cheap.

I ticked those boxes when I finished spray painting it.

I'm aware of the risks, but I prefer the odds to them. Now lets all be friends and stop this debate

[Rippthrough]

Guys seriously all fair points made as regards spraying helmets etc, but for goodness sake most of us go for a spirited drive every so often on public roads with no helmet. It's not a friggin race series, it's a track day. Yes the speeds are higher and if it goes wrong obviously that relates to a bigger smash potentially, but imo you're at significantly less risk than going for a blat down your favourite backroads, which you'd do withouta helmet...

IIt's certainly very interesting information but id hardly say it's as important in this scenario where there should not be any actual racing...

No, but if you already have a helmet to wear, it's not the brightest idea to deliberately make it worse at doing it's job...
There is another issue, if the solvents had acetone or similar in, which the panel wipe may well have, that will continue to penetrate the resin matrix and soften the shell over months. Now, the only thing a helmet with a soft matrix is good for, is clamping your head like a vice if it ever gets hit, because it'll dent instead of spreading the impact, and hold that pressure against your skull until you can lever the helmet off/cut it away.
Is it unlikely? Yes.
Is it a possibility? Yes, which is why they advise against it unless the correct paints and processes are used.

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I just want a helmet thats black as f*ck, that in turn makes me look proper racecar.. and I wan't it cheap.

There ain't many racers that wear black helmets, unless they're in open top cars...for good reason, the heat builds up in the cabin and you get a nice hot, sweaty head.

[Piggy]

its his life.

he wants to risk having a helmet cut from his head...not our issue

[kieranyeh]

its his life.

he wants to risk having a helmet cut from his head...not our issue

I'm a risk taker. I enjoy dancing with death, that's why I put a bit of paint on my helmet x

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Guys seriously all fair points made as regards spraying helmets etc, but for goodness sake most of us go for a spirited drive every so often on public roads with no helmet. It's not a friggin race series, it's a track day. Yes the speeds are higher and if it goes wrong obviously that relates to a bigger smash potentially, but imo you're at significantly less risk than going for a blat down your favourite backroads, which you'd do withouta helmet...

IIt's certainly very interesting information but id hardly say it's as important in this scenario where there should not be any actual racing...

No, but if you already have a helmet to wear, it's not the brightest idea to deliberately make it worse at doing it's job...
There is another issue, if the solvents had acetone or similar in, which the panel wipe may well have, that will continue to penetrate the resin matrix and soften the shell over months. Now, the only thing a helmet with a soft matrix is good for, is clamping your head like a vice if it ever gets hit, because it'll dent instead of spreading the impact, and hold that pressure against your skull until you can lever the helmet off/cut it away.
Is it unlikely? Yes.
Is it a possibility? Yes, which is why they advise against it unless the correct paints and processes are used.

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I just want a helmet thats black as f*ck, that in turn makes me look proper racecar.. and I wan't it cheap.

There ain't many racers that wear black helmets, unless they're in open top cars...for good reason, the heat builds up in the cabin and you get a nice hot, sweaty head.

f*ck me you are a proper helmet specialist aren't you !

[Midnightclub]

its his life.

he wants to risk having a helmet cut from his head...not our issue

I'm a risk taker. I enjoy dancing with death, that's why I put a bit of paint on my helmet x

I bet you even drive around on the fuel light too! Bloody nutter!

[kieranyeh]

its his life.

he wants to risk having a helmet cut from his head...not our issue

I'm a risk taker. I enjoy dancing with death, that's why I put a bit of paint on my helmet x

I bet you even drive around on the fuel light too! Bloody nutter!

Mate don't get me started. I'm a nut case.