ASN Safety Bulletin #24 Helmet Painting

Dear colleagues,

As part of the FIA’s ongoing mission to continuously improve safety, the FIA requires competitors participating in competitions registered on the FIA International Sporting Calendar to wear an FIA-approved helmet. The helmet is typically a piece of safety equipment that competitors like to personalise. However, it is important that they ensure that the safety performance of a homologated helmet is not compromised by any personalisation.

The most common form of customisation used on helmets is paint. It is important to note that paint can react with the helmet shell and energy-absorbing materials (also known as the helmet liner) and may negatively affect its protective capacity if the incorrect type or application method is used.

Article 1.6 “Helmet - Decoration” of Chapter III “Drivers’ Equipment” of Appendix L to the International Sporting Code (available HERE) states that modifications can only be made if in compliance with the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the specific helmet model.

Improper use of paint will void the FIA homologation

It is the competitor’s responsibility to ensure that any decoration of their helmet is done in accordance with the guidelines provided by the manufacturer. Such guidelines are typically available in the helmet user guide, published on the helmet manufacturer’s website, and available upon request directly from the manufacturer. FIA and/or ASN officials may reject a helmet if it has been improperly customised (e.g. if the FIA and/or ASN officials see any paint marks on the helmet liner or evidence that the energy-absorbing material was removed and reinstalled, the helmet can be rejected during initial scrutineering).

Key points regarding helmet painting

• Always check the guidelines provided by the helmet manufacturer or in case of doubt, contact the manufacturer before decorating the helmet to make sure you follow their recommendations.

• Ensure that the inside of the helmet is fully protected by carefully sealing ALL the openings, even paint fumes can damage the liner (energy-absorbing foam) of the helmet.

• It is typically recommended to use air-drying acrylic or polyurethane paint BUT any paint product must be in accordance with the recommendations of the helmet manufacturer.

• Remove all the hardware from the outside of the helmet before painting, such as the 8858-2010 Helmet M6 terminal and visor fixing screws, whilst still ensuring that openings are properly sealed.

NOTE: the 8858-2002 Helmet M6 terminal cannot be removed and must be properly covered.

• Cover all non-removable hardware and moving parts.

• The selected paint should include flame-resistant properties.

Do not:

• Remove any permanent components of the helmet (e.g. energy absorbing foam, rubber seals, chin strap, fixing rivets, etc.) under any circumstance.

NOTE: it is strictly forbidden to remove the energy-absorbing foam or rubber seals as they are permanently fixed to the helmet. The rubber seals guarantee that the visor seals and the visor opening mechanism operates correctly. 

• Submit the helmet to high temperatures (i.e. it is forbidden to expose the helmet to any heat source higher than 50°C / 122°F).

• Remove the original manufacturer applied coating of the helmet.

• Paint any part of the visor and/or visor mechanism.

• Expose the helmet to chemical solvents or their fumes.

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As part of the FIA’s ongoing mission to continuously improve safety, the FIA requires competitors participating in competitions registered on the FIA International Sporting Calendar to wear an FIA-approved helmet. The helmet is typically a piece of safety equipment that competitors like to personalise. However, it is important that they ensure that the safety performance of a homologated helmet is not compromised by any personalisation.

The most common form of customisation used on helmets is paint. It is important to note that paint can react with the helmet shell and energy-absorbing materials (also known as the helmet liner) and may negatively affect its protective capacity if the incorrect type or application method is used.

It is the competitor’s responsibility to ensure that any decoration of their helmet is done in accordance with the guidelines provided by the manufacturer. Such guidelines are typically available in the helmet user guide, published on the helmet manufacturer’s website, and available upon request directly from the manufacturer. FIA and/or ASN officials may reject a helmet if it has been improperly customised (e.g. if the FIA and/or ASN officials see any paint marks on the helmet liner or evidence that the energy-absorbing material was removed and reinstalled, the helmet can be rejected during initial scrutineering).

#FIASafety #FIAVisionZero

Best regards,

FIA Safety Department

If you have any topics you would like us to cover in future bulletins please send your suggestions to the FIA Safety Department.

To read the other articles about the ASN Safety Bulletins, please visit the FIA website. You can also read by clicking here.