Spray on substance to make foam more slippery?

[twinbee]

I've DIYed some foam on to my snowboard helmet to help reduce the chance of a concussion after a fall:



However, helmets are designed to be slippery and those foam strips are quite "friction-ey" against various surfaces, maybe not snow, but at least rock. I could use sellotape or maybe even some black matte gaffer tape to cover the foam strips, but I don't want to ruin the cool look, so I'm considering spraying the strips to make them more slippery. Is there an ideal spray I could use which hardens to a slippery surface and adheres well to the pores of the foam? Preferably not something too shiny, but if that improves the slipperiness over a more matte finish, then I'd probably take it.

[dewaltdisney]

You have to be careful with spray as it can affect the foam and cause deterioration. I was in Hobbycraft last week and they have a range of Gaffer tape products in a good selection of colours and patterns. This tape would be ideal I think.

DWD

[twinbee]

Tape would probably ruin the look a bit (due to creasing), at least non-flexible tape without any give. A spray will also stay put without potentially peeling off.

Foam is apparently "High density CR foam / Neoprene". According to the product page, "The closed cell foam tape is weather proof, oil resistance, resistant to corrosion, shock-absorbing, buffering, sealing, flame retardant, sound proof, heat insulation, anti-skidding and insulating". It has good damping (low bounciness) which is why I picked the foam over a few other foam candidates which were much more 'springy' and may thus contribute to a whiplash effect.

[big-all]

i wouldnt worry to much about "slippery" its probably ment in the aerodynamic sense
if its ment in the helmet slide way if its enough to rip the foam off then adding a slippery surface iff it does stop it ripping off will probably leave the tape destroyed and surface off foam damaged anyway----
but by all means try it
as an aside you need to be careful in case the adhesive from the foam damages the helment

[twinbee]

i wouldnt worry to much about "slippery" its probably ment in the aerodynamic sense

The outside surface of a helmet should ideally be smooth. This is in case it catches on something during a fast fall, where it can theoretically break a neck. Early motorcyclists learnt this the hard way when they designed addons such as a mohawk haircut style or spikes to the helmet.

The adhesive is quite sticky, so I'm thinking of reducing its stickiness to help it rip away during a collision should such a need arise. Not worried about the adhesive damaging the helmet. Can always buy another helmet in the worst case scenario.

[Someone-Else]

Not worried about the adhesive damaging the helmet. Can always buy another helmet in the worst case scenario.

Too late then?

[twinbee]

Too late then?

Apart from the hard outer shell, there's also a half inch thick polystyrene layer underneath. I can always test to see if there's any degradation of the shell by peeling off some of the foam a few months down the road (and then sticking it back again).

[dewaltdisney]

What about spraying the whole helmet top in expanding foam. The effect would be like an ice cream cone. You could establish yourself as a snowboarding champion King Cone or something very similar.

DWD

[twinbee]

What about spraying the whole helmet top in expanding foam. The effect would be like an ice cream cone. You could establish yourself as a snowboarding champion King Cone or something very similar.

DWD

Lol, I love it. Would that be the type of foam that crumples, and then stays crumpled, or does it spring back to survive many impacts? I would need the latter.

You ALMOST have me tempted.

[dewaltdisney]

I was joking I think ordinary expanding foam would harden. It would be novel though Mr Whippy

DWD

[big-all]

i wouldnt worry to much about "slippery" its probably ment in the aerodynamic sense

The outside surface of a helmet should ideally be smooth. This is in case it catches on something during a fast fall, where it can theoretically break a neck. Early motorcyclists learnt this the hard way when they designed addons such as a mohawk haircut style or spikes to the helmet.

The adhesive is quite sticky, so I'm thinking of reducing its stickiness to help it rip away during a collision should such a need arise. Not worried about the adhesive damaging the helmet. Can always buy another helmet in the worst case scenario.

all makes perfect sense, even a small amount off gripping can cause a bad twist
getting the balance right can be a nightmare as too much off one thing can increase the problems elsewhere if you're not careful

[bourbon]

It's a safety device, You don't want to be messing with something that has already been tested to required standards. If all you are thinking about is your 'cool' look. You have your priorities wrong.

[twinbee]

Don't get me started on that. Sadly, the designers seem to barely care about concussions and the long term effects from that years into the future. They just care about not cracking your head open from a severe fall.

Having the helmet look cool is definitely second or third priority to me.