TM 10-8400-203-23
7-5. INSPECTION AND CLEANING
a. Steel Helmets. Inspect the steel helmets for rust, dents, holes, and loose edges (dents interfering with
helmet liner insertion are the only dents requiring repair). Inspect for correct color, glare, chips, and rust.
Minor rust areas and those worn bare of pain, or with thin coverage will be touchup painted. Inspect the
chin strap for bent, rusty, or missing clips and/or quick-release devices. Clean the helmet by washing it
with soap and water or other mild solution that will not penetrate the abrasive painted surfaces, Scrub the
straps by rubbing them with a cloth and soapy water. Rinse them well and allow them to dry.
b. Helmet Liners. Inspect the helmet liner shell for frayed edges, cracks, holes, loose or missing studs and
rivets, loose lamination, and loose or missing hardware on the chin strap and head suspension. Inspect
the suspension bands for tears, pulled or ripped stitching, ravelled or missing laces, cleanliness, and
missing, loose, or bent hardware. Clean the helmet liner by washing it with a mild soap and water solution,
rinse, and dry thoroughly. Clean headbands, neckbands, and chin straps by scrubbing them with a cloth
and soapy water. Rinse them well and allow them to dry.
7-6. ORGANIZATIONAL MAINTENANCE
a. Steel Helmets.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Sand the areas for touchup painting to remove rust and loose paint scales. Wipe the areas clean with
a cloth.
Brush on one coat of the enamel specified in Section Ill for helmets.
Sprinkle a small amount of silica sand on the freshly painted area until the quantity of sand is equal to
that in the original finish. Let the area dry for approximately one hour.
Lightly apply a second coat of enamel to cover the unpainted sand, and allow the area to dry for 12 to
15 hours beforeusing the helmet.
Install a new chin strap as described in Figure 7-4.
7-5
