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Compromising safety with painting/stickers on helmet?

riskybug

Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2024
Location
San Jose
Moto(s)
Z400
Name
Axel
I got a pretty good deal on a AGV K3 sv helmet recently, but the design is... a bit quirky. I was thinking to decorate it with stickers or somehow paint over it.
There's been quite a lot of people who say this is unsafe, as certain chemicals and adhesives can degrade the shell/inner lining. Which certain ones I don't really know.

The stuff with spray paints/aerosols/acrylics, okay, I can imagine. Is it really a compromise to safety if I put little stickers from a peel off sheet onto my helmet?
 
Honestly, its hard to imagine anything you can still buy in California being dangerous to a motorcycle helmet shell.

I mean, I don't know, but with the AQMD laws making paints and such so non-evaporative, I question whether any of it is even toxic anymore (it probably is, don't drink cuz an idiot like me made an internet comment).

Stickers aren't going to hurt it at all. Never heard of a corrosive sticker.
 
Stick it up!! :banana

Painting is another level of committment, but all good there too.
 
look at crashed helmets, they are usually rashed through the paint, so I wouldn't think a couple of stickers is that big a deal.
 
Ah, that's a relief to hear! I was a little surprised to hear (the idea) that adhesives could damage helmets over time.
I guess I'll watch out for the chemical sprays then! Always more and more research to do, agh.
 
I’d be cautious of paint as sometimes the paint can degrade the helmets shell. Be sure the paint you use is good for use on your helmet.

Stickers are fine.
 
You can Google motorcycle helmet painting and find some places that can do custom work but it may cost more than you paid for your K3.
Another idea is to get the helmet wrapped.
Below is an example I found of custom paint work.

 
This is like asking whether the painted motif on the Titanic teaware is compromising the porcelain. That is.. not the risk factor that merits concern.

1733744248312.jpeg
 
I'll play devil's advocate to the current replies... The only way I can think of paint/stickers compromising the safety is if you go crazy and add over 1/3-lb of weight to the lid. By doing so, you'll be changing the kinetic/inertial characteristics of the helmet which (theoretically) could affect the impact handling of the inner shell and/or adding potential neck injury due to the added mass.

That said, it's likely that the only way you could add that much weight is to add very thick paint/clear cost and/or sticker bombs to the whole thing (plus any comms/lighting you might add)
 
This is like asking whether the painted motif on the Titanic teaware is compromising the porcelain. That is.. not the risk factor that merits concern.

View attachment 570422

Cool pic! I had to take a little ride in the snow too when I picked up my first new bike in Germany.... just before boxing it up in storage for 6 months
 
For a bit of a contrary view, OP is spending a lot of attention on gear and modifications that aren’t getting him any closer to riding. Personally, I wouldn’t be worrying much about airbags and painting helmets until you have some miles under your belt.

Some of these items could become a distraction from get your hands on a motorcycle and riding it.
 
Good point, my first helmet was white, my first jacket was off the clearance rack and fit... Ok, but, they got used while I put down my first few years of miles at which point I had a better idea of what I wanted when I upgraded gear.
 
Good point, my first helmet was white, my first jacket was off the clearance rack and fit... Ok, but, they got used while I put down my first few years of miles at which point I had a better idea of what I wanted when I upgraded gear.
It is a good point, but stickers are cool.

My first helmet was a Bell Star in white and I rattle canned it every time a cop chased me. Sometimes just adding pin striping.. then more striping... then paint again and repeat. I was a good kid. :laughing

White / yellow / purple / black... "I ain't that dude with the white helmet!" :p
 
Personally, I wouldn’t be worrying much about airbags and painting helmets until you have some miles under your belt.
Ah... you've got me. I've hit the wall where I'm finding random excuses to not get the bike and just ride. It's scary stuff, and I'm nervous to commit to being myself as a rider!
 
Ah... you've got me. I've hit the wall where I'm finding random excuses to not get the bike and just ride. It's scary stuff, and I'm nervous to commit to being myself as a rider!
It seemed that way. One approach is to move forward, get an inexpensive bike and ride it at times when traffic isn’t heavy. Take short trips, practice your skills and see if you become comfortable. You’ll either want to keep going or decide you’d rather not. Doing this before dumping a ton of money into gear that isn’t strictly necessary will give you the freedom to make either decision without being motivated by the investments you’ve made.

If you get hooked, go wild with collecting gear. It’s part of the sickness.
 
When I started riding I stuck to surface streets for a month or so before I got the nerve to ride on the highway, early in the morning. Took about a year to build up confidence and skills to make that comfortable. It gets less scary with practice I think, but it remains exhilarating. Starting with a light bike with a smaller motor will likely make things less intimidating as well.
 
It seemed that way. One approach is to move forward, get an inexpensive bike and ride it at times when traffic isn’t heavy. Take short trips, practice your skills and see if you become comfortable. You’ll either want to keep going or decide you’d rather not. Doing this before dumping a ton of money into gear that isn’t strictly necessary will give you the freedom to make either decision without being motivated by the investments you’ve made.

If you get hooked, go wild with collecting gear. It’s part of the sickness.
great advice. :thumbup
 
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