Re-spraying a helmet

[SFPA]

So, its getting cold here in NC, and I need a full-face helmet for those days when I want to ride my Triumph. Problem is, none of my full-face helmet's colors "go" with the Bonnie's style. I want to take my old (but in good condition) Arai Helmet and re-spray it black.

Anyone have any experience with DIY'ing this job or paying a pro to do it? Cost?

Thanks....

[drewl]

I rattle canned the drewl special. I did not take great care on the texture. I did spray it several times making sure it was well taped. then I sprayed clear coat twice over the color. Pretty simple, took a couple hours all together.



Kinda low class, but if you knew me, you'd understand.

[supervfr]

I read someone saying that they can get a pro paint job with spray cans by lots and lots and lots of sanding between many may coats.

[Bubba Zanetti]

SFPA:

I don't have all the details, but be very, very careful. Some solvents can damage the helmets outer shell making it weak; even though it doesn;t look like it.

Hopefully someone will chime in on this! I've heard the people who do custom helmets use some weird airbrush paint that dries superfast for this reason.

BZ

[34468 Randy]

Originally Posted by Bubba Zanetti

SFPA:

I don't have all the details, but be very, very careful. Some solvents can damage the helmets outer shell making it weak; even though it doesn;t look like it.

Hopefully someone will chime in on this! I've heard the people who do custom helmets use some weird airbrush paint that dries superfast for this reason.

BZ

Hey Bubba,

I have heard something similar. I have two helmets, both in good shape. I would kinda like to do a custom paint job on the older one, but I will watch to see what the outcome of this thread is. I am sure there is someone out there who can give us a "qualified" answer to this. In the mean time, I am going to use crayons. I will use the wife's lip gloss for the clearcoat!

[drewl]

I used quick drying paint made to stick to these surfaces. Once again, I am a cheapo, so the helmet was not that great to begin with. Maybe take one of your older ones and play with it. Or by a 50 dollar one from Sportsman's guide.

[supervfr]

my current helmet I sprayed with black rubber.

[Vlad Impaler]

I've rattle canned a helmet before.
Back in the day (1992ish) I did a black and red ripped strip paint job on an older open face HJC helmet. The black joined into a large (approx 5" dia) circle on the back in which I placed a B&W Calvin and Hobbes "Spaceman Spiff" sticker and cleared the whole thing.
It turned out really nice. I sold it with my Kawi when I got into the VFR.
Anywho. Good masking and many wet sands among coats made it what it was....smooth. A quality clear coat at the end brings the shine out.
The only thing I'd worry about in doing this is the PS liner. Keep the solvents off the innards and you will not have troubles. Fiberglass/resin helmets will take paint nicely.
You can make a really nice looking lid with $10 in paint.

If I can find a picture, I'll try to scan it in. Yup....pre digital. Ahhh the good old days.

[SFPA]

Thanks for all the replies, fellas. I had seen other cautions about the plastic as well.

Thinkin it might be more cost effective to just go get a cheapo at Cycle Gear. Definitely cheaper when it comes to the time involved!


BTW, our local Cycle Gear is rumored to be having a 50% off sale on helmets this Holiday weekend. Not sure if it applies to all stores, or just Fayettenam's.

[steven113]

Originally Posted by Bubba Zanetti

SFPA:

I don't have all the details, but be very, very careful. Some solvents can damage the helmets outer shell making it weak; even though it doesn;t look like it.

Hopefully someone will chime in on this! I've heard the people who do custom helmets use some weird airbrush paint that dries superfast for this reason.

BZ

I too have heard this and know that some solvents can weaken fiberglass and carbon fiber without any obvious visual damage. I would strongly advise contacting the manufacturer of the helmet and asking their opinion of what type of paint to use.

[WheeeFR]

Depending on what quality level you want, you can get virtually any color available from your local Automotive paint shop. Most can mix your DuPont color of choice and load it into Krylon rattlecans with nice fan-spray nozzles. Prime with a high fill primer, sand with 320 grit wet or dry (always use water) then several coats of color, sand with 1000 wet or dry (use water!) and then several coats of automotive DuPont clear (in rattlecans, too). Final sand with about a 2000 wet or dry (water again!) and then rub out. This is nothing to be afraid of as long as you allow adequate dry time between coats.You'd be amazed as to what you can do without paying the body shop or buying a compressor.

For those wary of solvents, perhaps a little research with the helmet manufacturer would be advised. I don't have that info, but I've done quite a few helmets and never heard of a problem when working with quality helmets.

[KC-10 FE]

SavageDesigns - Home

I've seen two helmets sprayed by Savage. To sum up his quality in one word, "amazing". Obviously, "amazing" is going to cost you. If you are looking to stand out in the crowd, his work will accomplish that. When I bought my current Arai RX7, I was planning on Savage doing a USAF & KC-10 theme. His work would have been about $550. That's as much as the helmet cost after sales tax.

I don't know what products need to be used to safely paint a helmet & I'm sure most of the brands aren't going to say what's safe since they will recommend a new helmet.

KC-10 FE out...

[SFPA]

thanks all. In the end, my usual combo of laziness and stingyness won out: Got me a DOT and Snell approved full face at Cycle Gear for 50 bones on "Black Friday". Considering it started in the $120 range, it was a steal. And its in a solid matching black for my Bonnie.