Can you use spray paint on them?

[Phantomf4]

This is for anyone who has served, knows some who served or just generally knows, can you use spray paint on a flight helmet to make designs like they have in top gun?

[MTC29]

The solvents in some paints may weaken or damage the material the helmet is made of, rendering it less effective at protecting your head. Acrylic paints, which are water based are normally considered to be safe for helmets. If in doubt, contact the helmet manufacturer, tell them that your name is Maverick, and then enquire about painting your flight helmet.

Keep in mind that despite what is shown on movies and on TV, a naval aviator (Navy or Marine) normally has his squadron insignia painted on the front of the helmet and his call sign on the back. Because each character had to be instantly recognizable to the audience, call signs appeared on the front of the helmets in the film Top Gun.

For over a decade the HGU-68/P flight helmet with MBU-23/P oxygen mask has been the more or less default helmet for naval aviators. Tomcat era pilots normally wore the HGU-34/P of the HGU-44/P flight helmet and MBU-14/P oxygen mask. Enjoy.

[Phantomf4]

Thank you. I was actually just going to get one off eBay and paint it up like Phoenix in the new movie. Mainly to bring to car shows to go with my car which has the same nickname

[Anonymous]

I'm guessing the military has rules against that.