I have finally bugged my tattoo/painter artist friend into doing some work on my helmet.  Problem is neither of us know the best paints and clear coats to use so the helmet still has some integrity in a crash. I know that it is not recommended to alter the helmet that's why I want the best info I can get (for free). I have a HJC CS-R1 which the website says is a "Advanced Polycarbonate Composite Shell" I guess is plastic. He asked about a "hard clear coat resin based". Any tips are also appreciated.

is tehre a paint layer on teh helmet?, was thinking maybe an enamel, but id be hesitant about sanding hte surface prior to painting

Yeah there is the standard black paint.  I'm not too worried about taking off a thin layer of the clear coat on it so the paint will stick, I'm worried that the plastic/foam of the helmet will react badly with whatever paint and clear coat I go with.

Quote from: socialDK on May 03, 2011, 10:05:12 PM
I'm worried that the plastic/foam of the helmet will react badly with whatever paint and clear coat I go with.

Good luck with that. Most manufacturers recommend you don't paint their helmets for just that reason. 

If you don't sand through the current clear coat (just scuff it lightly), you should be able to paint over top of it. The foam liner on the inside is what CANNOT come in contact with paint.