- Dec 15, 2009
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I am aware of the rule saying that putting paint on a bat is illegal. but is it illegal to paint batting helmets or catching masks? I wasn't quite sure. If so, is it just certain leagues?
paint
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- Jun 22, 2008
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As long as you do not obscure the NOCSAE stamp/label and all other rules are met, there is no problem.
You cannot paint a bat because it could disguise an illegal or modified bat as a stock approved bat. It happens.
There is no performance gain to be disguised by painting a helmet or such, but it is possible as mentioned that solvent in a paint can affect the plastic. Not likely enough to matter in most cases, but still possible. Plenty of painted helmets or airbrushed helmets out there. Might depend on organization rules as to whether or not its acceptable.
There are all kinds of paints. A light spray of very fast drying auto-type lacquer has strong solvent, but probably wont penetrate deeply into the plastic of a helmet, but a thick slow drying enamel might. Tougher non-solvent based paints like 2-part epoxy or Imron may pose little structural risk too.
Ive seen hundreds of helmets that were airbrushed with logos, names, softballs, baseballs, etc then clear-coated with lacquer. Its very common, especially when younger teams (8-12) go to USFA World Series in Panama City Beach, where there are tons of T-shirt airbrush shops that will do this. Many poorer inner city youth football teams will use older helmets that have been painted many times, you can see the layers of paint flaking off them and multiple colors underneath. Never heard of a failure of a helmet because it had been painted.
There is no performance gain to be disguised by painting a helmet or such, but it is possible as mentioned that solvent in a paint can affect the plastic. Not likely enough to matter in most cases, but still possible. Plenty of painted helmets or airbrushed helmets out there. Might depend on organization rules as to whether or not its acceptable.
There are all kinds of paints. A light spray of very fast drying auto-type lacquer has strong solvent, but probably wont penetrate deeply into the plastic of a helmet, but a thick slow drying enamel might. Tougher non-solvent based paints like 2-part epoxy or Imron may pose little structural risk too.
Ive seen hundreds of helmets that were airbrushed with logos, names, softballs, baseballs, etc then clear-coated with lacquer. Its very common, especially when younger teams (8-12) go to USFA World Series in Panama City Beach, where there are tons of T-shirt airbrush shops that will do this. Many poorer inner city youth football teams will use older helmets that have been painted many times, you can see the layers of paint flaking off them and multiple colors underneath. Never heard of a failure of a helmet because it had been painted.
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- Jun 22, 2008
- 3,438
- 48
Not necessarily true. A NOCSAE certification simply means the helmet presented met the predetermined standard, nothing more, nothing less. NOCSAE is not a warranty or guarantee of protection.
NOCSAE simply recommends the manufacturer should be contacted prior to applying a material to a helmet. Nowhere can I find anything which NOCSAE states that simply painting a helmet affects its effectiveness.
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- Dec 15, 2009
- 188
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thank you so much!
Only Little League requires helmets to be free of paint, marker, stickers etc
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