Gaffer tape on helmet vents - damage the helmet?

[gbb]

Out of interest, what damage could tape actually do to the plastic/foam? I've always thought stickers and tape where a no-no on helmets and hard-hats as it means you will not notice any potential damage caused by impacts etc...?

I suppose a chemical reaction could slowly damage the skin of the helmet, but i refer back to the motorcycle helmet thing. Their construction is completely different. A cycle helmets outer is at the end of the day a skin of decorative material. The only thing i can think is that if you had an impact, that skin would help hold the polystyrene base together.

Perhaps i'm being a cynic, but as a helmet is only good for low speed impacts...i'm tempted to say stickers or tape wouldnt make much if any difference. I base that on using gaffer tape at work. Ive never seen it attack any other material.

 

[MartinC]

You can buy helmet covers that will keep out wind and rain. e.g. http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/polaris-waterproof-helmet-item147997.html

The hard shell on a modern cycle helmet is a vital part of it's design - it's supposed to hold all the foam together and allow it to crush progressively. There's a (theoretical?) risk that the adhesive on tape or stickers may degrade the shell and compromise it's performance so the manufacturers sometimes recommend that you don't do it.

There's no real evidence that cycle helmets make any difference anyway or that they often work the way they're supposed to so you could argue that whether or not you should put gaffer tape on it is a bit esoteric.

 

[Norm]

Some glues and resins (those which are polyester based and many which use volatile organics for solvents) will dissolve polystyrene.

I don't know what glue your gaffer tape uses, but I think most use a form of rubber adhesive, which after a little bit of nosing around, should be ok.