If the helmet will be worn in practices or games, do not paint it yourself. Helmet makers such as Schutt and Riddell warn that store bought paint and solvents can weaken the shell and void both the warranty and the helmet’s NOCSAE safety certification, which makes it illegal in most organized leagues. Game helmets should be repainted by a licensed reconditioner. If the helmet is for display, decoration or a costume, painting it yourself is fine, and the process takes a weekend.
Why You Should Not Paint a Game Helmet Yourself
Football helmets used at the high school, college and pro levels, and in most youth leagues, must meet standards set by NOCSAE, the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment. Each helmet model is certified as manufactured, and changing it outside the manufacturer’s guidelines can void that certification. Paint is part of that: some aerosol paints and thinners contain chemicals that attack the polycarbonate shell and can cause cracks that are not visible from the outside. Schutt tells owners to use only approved primer and paint and to contact a licensed reconditioner for painting.
How Professional Helmet Painting Works
Licensed reconditioners, members of NAERA, the National Athletic Equipment Reconditioners Association, handle painting as part of reconditioning. The helmet is taken apart, the old paint is sanded off, the shell is inspected for hairline cracks that paint can hide, and it is repainted with factory approved paint. Worn parts are replaced and the helmet is recertified to NOCSAE standards before it goes back to the player. Riddell and Schutt both run reconditioning programs, and many teams send their helmets out every year. Manufacturers generally require reconditioning at least every two years to keep a varsity helmet’s warranty.
How to Paint a Display Helmet
For a helmet that will only sit on a shelf, the steps in the chart above work well. A few tips make the difference: use primer and paint labeled for plastic, spray several thin coats rather than one heavy one, let each coat dry fully, and give the clear coat a full day or more to cure before handling. Mini helmets are a popular project for fans, and full size display helmets are often painted for team rooms, awards and costumes.
Adding Decals and Stripes
Most teams use decals rather than painted logos, even on professionally painted helmets. For a display helmet, apply decals after the paint cures and before the clear coat, or on top of the clear coat if you want to change them later. Painter’s tape gives clean lines for center stripes. Learn more about why football players have stickers on their helmets.
The Bottom Line
Paint a display helmet yourself, but send a game helmet to a licensed reconditioner so it keeps its warranty and NOCSAE certification. Reconditioners can change colors, strip and repaint, and recertify the helmet in one trip. Details on certification are available from NOCSAE.