I tried a search, and found info on having helmets professionally done by airbrush artists. Saw some REALLY cool work. But I don't want anything like that. I'd like to try my hand at doing this on my own, just a very simple scheme, mainly because my helmet has 2 scuffs on it that I'd like to try to get rid of.

My main concern is safety. I remember reading that the manufacturers recommend you not even put stickers on your helmet, for fear of the adhesive affecting the structural integrity of the helmet. So how do the guys that paint them do it? Is it a special kind of paint? Something I can buy in a can for myself? Or do I HAVE to have this professionally done?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer..

I painted one one time with the Dixie Flag stretched over the back.I just wet Sanded to pretty much scuff the Surface so the new paint would Stick.I Just used Testors Spray paint.I wouldn't worry about it Weakening the Helmet.The top Layer is pretty much just Gelcote over Fiberglass.Sofar I haven't found Anything that would Strip gelcote off Believe me I've even tried stripping with Aircraft Paint stripper and it wouldn't phase it.I had to resort to a Die Grinder.

There exists the possibility of weakening the resin matrix.  This will only be detected with destructive testing.

If you want to add some design details, go with decals.  They used water-based adhesives and their compatibility is less suspect. 

Nah, the helmet has plenty of design details.. I was thinking about going to an all gloss black, just to remove the scuffs, like I said.. Right now, it's an exo-400 warhawk, which looks great.. except for the 2 spots of rash.. mebbe I'll just wear it as a badge of honor, much like the small holes in my jacket.. dunno

i want to do the same thing with mine helmates cause one has some scuffs and the other is just butt ugly.  If you go ahead i would like to know how it turned out.

Quote from: GeeP on February 04, 2007, 10:17:06 PM
There exists the possibility of weakening the resin matrix.  This will only be detected with destructive testing.

If you want to add some design details, go with decals.  They used water-based adhesives and their compatibility is less suspect. 

+1   You don't want to touch the helmet with paint, nothing but bad can come from this.  This is your head you're talking about, don't risk it, stickers and decals are fine but the fumes from the paint will breakdown the helmet's ability to protect your head.  If you want a different looking helmet, buy a new one. 

fugg it.. I'm just gonna wear it with the scuffs on it... I guess they're like scars for my helmet

i just say do some research and figure out what kind of shell you have, then buy a paint that is safe for that substance.  Helmats, some car panels, boats, .... are made from fiber glass and painted.  So there is a paint out there that is safe, but sure if you just paint it with whatever you buy from the local we got everything store then you run the risk of harming the outer shell. 

Nick if these are "scuffs" from one of your wrecks...can you PLEASE PLEASE take the liner out and all of the padding and check for any damage to the interior foam. My helmet had some grass stuck to it and a little dirt but not a scratch on it following my wreck...yet when i looked inside...



Now I couldn't get a very good picture but there is very evident structural damage..

Quote from: Jughead on February 04, 2007, 09:47:54 PM
I painted one one time with the Dixie Flag stretched over the back.I just wet Sanded to pretty much scuff the Surface so the new paint would Stick.I Just used Testors Spray paint.I wouldn't worry about it Weakening the Helmet.The top Layer is pretty much just Gelcote over Fiberglass.Sofar I haven't found Anything that would Strip gelcote off Believe me I've even tried stripping with Aircraft Paint stripper and it wouldn't phase it.I had to resort to a Die Grinder.

take some skydrol oil to it that should take it off 

a wrecked helmet is a trash helmet.  they are designed for 1 use.  but hey its your head, if you don't care about it, then use it, an paint it an risk it.  heck, might as well trade your gear for bling bling parts while your at it   i know i sound like a duck about it.  but i have good intentions. 

Bah, who's the biggest gear/search/anti-n00b/anti-bling/anti-ricer nazi you know? Me. I wouldn't be using the helmet if I didn't think it was safe. The scuff is from me moving my head while laying on my side AFTER the wreck.. the helmet never actually touched the ground... Besides my other helmet is a nasty ass Shoei that was given to me, that I want to use for passengers.. I was hoping to touch it up.

Quote from: NiceGuysFinishLast on February 05, 2007, 05:10:04 PM
Bah, who's the biggest gear/search/anti-n00b/anti-bling/anti-ricer nazi you know? Me. I wouldn't be using the helmet if I didn't think it was safe. The scuff is from me moving my head while laying on my side AFTER the wreck.. the helmet never actually touched the ground... Besides my other helmet is a nasty ass Shoei that was given to me, that I want to use for passengers.. I was hoping to touch it up.

Then put a sticker or these over the scratch and call it a day:

HAHAHAHAHAH...


I've actually been thinking about getting one of the mohawks that's really brightly colored and sticks on with suction cups..

Quote from: NiceGuysFinishLast on February 06, 2007, 12:28:40 AM
HAHAHAHAHAH...


I've actually been thinking about getting one of the mohawks that's really brightly colored and sticks on with suction cups..

I have a red one and a black one. I don't think I can get the red one on my dirt helmet though (matte paint).

I think I'm gonna get the black one.. better yet, 2 black ones, and run them so that if you looked down on my helmet, they'd be roughly eye shaped.. () like that, from the top, but more curved.. make sense?

MOHAWK!

Haha, yeah, mohawk is cool.. but it's $20 + $8 shipping. $8 is a ripoff.. that thing could be priority mailed for like $4.50

Look around...  I found like 10 places that sell 'em.

One was selling 'em for $40.   

HOLY CRAP... I was just looking on ebay.. were you looking in B&Ms or online?