Okay, anyone have any ideas on how to remove the Scotchlite reflective tape from an old flight helmet? I've tried Goo Gone. A razor blade will work but scratches the hell out of the surface of the helmet. Any ideas?
Flight helmet- how to remove Scotchlite tape?
- Thread starter KitSmasher
- Start date
The Navy guys who worked on in-service helmets would boil them to remove all traces of old foam, foam glue and tape residue. IIRC that military spec reflective tape was very, very good which made it a bear to remove. Anyway, they would boil the fiberglass shells to strip them before a rebuild.
Boil 'em? I don't think I have a pot big enough. :lol Thanks for the info!
DL 44 Blaster
Sr Member
You could try WD-40 and a cotton towel.....it works well for lots of glue removal and the towel won't scratch your surface. It'll take a whilie 'cause that adhesive is a beeyotch to get off, though once the top scotchlite is off the glue will go faster.
Steve
Steve
Boil them? I worked as an "Airdale" for 23 years in the Navy and never heard of that before. Our PRs simply used good ole razor blades and a little MEK.
roboprop
Well-Known Member
I've re-conditioned about 10 flight helmets in my time and my home remedy has been a plastic putty knife and a heat gun.
Heat the helmet with the heat gun gradually until the tape becomes soft then use the knife (must be plastic or it will gouge the helmet surface) to gently scrape the tape from the edges. Start on one end of the tape and if the tape is heated suffeciently, the tape will scrape off in ribbons. It takes a little practice to get the hang of it but it goes quickly.
I'm curious... what's the helmet? :love
Heat the helmet with the heat gun gradually until the tape becomes soft then use the knife (must be plastic or it will gouge the helmet surface) to gently scrape the tape from the edges. Start on one end of the tape and if the tape is heated suffeciently, the tape will scrape off in ribbons. It takes a little practice to get the hang of it but it goes quickly.
I'm curious... what's the helmet? :love
The life support system guy I knew from Alameda Naval Air Station did it that way. He rebuilt one of my helo helmets (still have it!) and it was boiled like a chicken. That deteriorating foam and foam adhesive was a pain once it started to break down, but the shells came out very clean and the painted dome under the old tape was fine. I don't know if it was plain water, had cleaning stuff in it or was the stock for soup later that night.
Just an HGU-55P. Nothing special. Wanted to decorate it with my old squadron's markings.
