Bell Helmet Care: Your Complete Guide
Bell Helmet Care: The Complete Guide
· @Dave
Look after your lid, and it looks after you
A Bell helmet is the most important piece of kit you will ever buy, and how you care for it decides how well it protects you. That is why we are delighted that Bell Racing has just released a 13-part video series on helmet care, now live on the Bell support page and the Bell YouTube channel.
At Race Rally Supplies we live and breathe Bell. We help drivers choose the right helmet every week, and the question we hear straight after "which one?" is "how do I look after it?". This guide walks through every video in the series, adds the tips we share with customers over the counter, and points you to the kit you need to keep your helmet race ready.
Whether you race karts, compete in club motorsport or run a professional GT programme, ten minutes of care before a session can be the difference between a helmet that performs exactly as tested and one that doesn't.
The 13 Bell helmet care videos, explained
Bell's series falls neatly into four groups: getting the fit right, cleaning, the visor system, and the pre-session safety checks. Here is what each video covers and why it matters.
Fit first
1. Finding the right helmet size. Everything starts here. Bell shows how to find your correct size and confirm the helmet sits stable at speed. A helmet that moves on your head cannot protect you properly, no matter how well you clean it. Top tip from Bell's own FAQ: if a new helmet feels tight across the forehead, check behind the fit pad for desiccant packets left in from shipping. And always try a helmet on wearing the balaclava you will race in.
Cleaning, inside and out
2. Helmet internal cleaning. Sweat and grime build up in the padding fast. Bell demonstrates cleaning the interior with Bell interior cleaner and a soft microfibre cloth, keeping the lining fresh and hygienic between sessions.
3. Helmet exterior cleaning. The golden rule: apply the Wax Free Polish to the cloth, never directly onto the helmet. This protects the paint finish and stops product creeping onto the shield.
4. Proper shield cleaning. Shield cleaner goes on a cloth, and never on the inside of the shield. Spraying the inner surface can damage anti-fog coatings, which brings us to the visor section.
The visor system
5. Shield and DSAF inspection. Bell's Double Screen Anti Fog (DSAF) shields are brilliant, but only when they are in good condition. This video covers what to look for on the shield and the DSAF lens before every session, and how to tell when it is time for a new one.
6. How to replace a visor. A step-by-step swap, finishing with the crucial check that the new visor seals properly against the rubber gasket.
7. Helmet pivot inspection. The pivot screws hold your visor in place. Bell explains why both loose and over-tightened screws are a safety risk, and how to set them so the visor stays firm at speed.
8. Helmet gasket inspection. The eyeport gasket keeps air and debris out. Bell shows how to spot gaps that could let either in when you are flat out.
9. How to apply visor tear-offs. 
Getting tear-offs wrong is frustrating at best and dangerous at worst. This video covers how to stack them correctly and position the tabs so each one pulls away cleanly when you need it.
Pre-session safety checks
10. Chin strap safety check. A quick inspection of the strap, D-ring and pull tab before every session. It takes seconds and it is non-negotiable.
11. FHR and HANS anchor check. For anyone running a frontal head restraint, Bell walks through inspecting the anchor posts and locking the FHR tethers in place before you head out.
12. Helmet ventilation inspection. Blocked vents mean a hot, uncomfortable and distracted driver. Bell shows how to check and clear the vents so airflow stays strong all session.
13. Post-impact helmet inspection. The most important video of the lot. Bell covers checking the outer shell and inner shell after any impact, and how to recognise when a helmet is no longer safe to use.
Our pre-session checklist (and the mistakes we see most)
Bell's videos boil down to a quick routine you can run in the paddock. Print it, stick it in your kit bag, and tick it off before you go out:
- Chin strap, D-ring and pull tab in good order
- HANS anchor posts secure and FHR tethers locked
- Vents clear
- Pivot screws firm, not over-tightened
- Eyeport gasket sealing with no gaps
- Shield and DSAF lens clear and undamaged
- Tear-offs stacked with tabs positioned correctly
And here are the mistakes that come up again and again:
- Spraying cleaner straight onto the helmet or shield. Always apply product to the cloth first, and never clean the inside of the shield with spray.
- Using household products. Polishes with wax, glass cleaners and solvents can damage paint, shell materials and anti-fog coatings. Stick to the Bell care range.
- Modifying or drilling the helmet. Bell is clear that drilling or modifying any part of the helmet voids its homologation and warranty. Only fit Bell-authorised accessories.
- Ignoring a "small" knock. A dropped helmet or minor off still deserves a proper post-impact inspection.
- Storing it damp. Let the interior dry fully after a hot session before it goes back in its bag.
When is it time for a new helmet?
Bell recommends replacing a helmet every three to five years, depending on how much it is used and its condition. Even the best-kept helmet ages.
After an accident, Bell advises replacing the helmet if there is any sign of shell cracking or delamination, or compression of the liner. If the driver lost consciousness, the helmet should be replaced immediately, with no exceptions.
A few other points worth knowing from Bell's FAQ:
- Your homologation label sits on the inner liner at the back, under the fit pad. Never remove it, as that voids the homologation.
- Helmets cannot be recertified to a newer standard. The certification is tied to the date of manufacture.
- Your model and shield type are easy to find: the model and manufacture date are stamped on the chin strap D-ring, and the shield type is stamped on the right-hand side of the shield.
- Racing at FIA events? Check whether your series requires FIA 8859 or FIA 8860. Many FIA events do not accept a Snell-only helmet.
Not sure whether your helmet is still fit for purpose, or which standard your championship needs? Bring it in or get in touch, and we will help you work it out.
Keep your Bell race ready with Race Rally Supplies
As Bell specialists, we stock the helmets and the parts that keep them performing: replacement shields and DSAF visors, tear-offs, pivot kits, HANS anchors, seals, helmet bags and the Bell care range shown in the videos. If a part is worn, our team can help you find the exact replacement for your model.
Watch the full series on the Bell support page or the Bell YouTube playlist, then browse our Bell range at rrs-store.co.uk. Questions about fit, standards or spares? Our team is always happy to help.
Sources
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