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Painting a helmet

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Old 04-11-14, 02:50 PM
  #26  
Ray Dockrey
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Originally Posted by rpenmanparker
The shell is integral to the protection. It is not just the foam. The shell supports the foam. Do not dick with it PERIOD. Why would you pay that kind of money for a helmet just to ruin it. All these guys telling you how to do it, it's not their head!

And the adhesive on stickers, pin stripes, decals and such can be just as damaging as paint. As I said already , don't do it.
You must have never dealt with radio control car bodies. They are made of the same polycarbonate. Stickers and pinstripe won't hurt it. You do have to use special paint but only because most paint won't stick to it. Do you really think that the polycarbonate is molded in color? Its painted underneath to give it the gloss look and keeps the paint from chipping. Plus, do you think that mfg.'s use special stickers to put on them? Nope.

I do agree that painting it is a bad choice. But because it will look like crap in short order. Plus, certain paints I am sure could react with the foam. But the polycarbonate would be just fine.
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Old 04-11-14, 03:15 PM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by Ray Dockrey
You must have never dealt with radio control car bodies. They are made of the same polycarbonate. Stickers and pinstripe won't hurt it. You do have to use special paint but only because most paint won't stick to it. Do you really think that the polycarbonate is molded in color? Its painted underneath to give it the gloss look and keeps the paint from chipping. Plus, do you think that mfg.'s use special stickers to put on them? Nope.

I do agree that painting it is a bad choice. But because it will look like crap in short order. Plus, certain paints I am sure could react with the foam. But the polycarbonate would be just fine.
The model car bodies do not have to pass safety testing and protect your head. It doesn't much matter if their impact strength is moderately compromised. And polycarbonate is not the only shell material. ABS and glass reinforced plastics are also used. Choosing an appropriate coating formulation is not a job for a novice or amateur.
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Old 04-11-14, 03:56 PM
  #28  
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It's been safely done by professional and world renowned helmet painters Aldo Drudi and Troy Lee for decades. They do all the top racers helmets in pretty much all motorsports.

The only limits are your imagination an budget.

I had an Arai Motocycle helmet done by troy lee and the clear coat was the strongest I have ever experienced on any automobile, bike, or helmet. It was unaffected by the debris coming off of the rear tires of race bikes in front of me at well over 150 MPH. Oh, it was SHINEY and pretty too.

I'd call Troy and ask what paint is safe.

Bicycle
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Old 04-11-14, 05:44 PM
  #29  
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Finally, ... A voice of reason.

Thanks for adding that.
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Old 04-12-14, 06:06 PM
  #30  
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Originally Posted by StanSeven
That's a $250 helmet. Even if you get paint to stick, it's going to look crappy. You are better off just buying a helmet with the colors you like. I think Giro used to make one with similar colors is a Rabobank team design you can probably find
yes! that's the look I'm going after - i can't find the helmet anymore - nobody has it. I think Rabobank changed their colors?
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Old 04-14-14, 11:59 AM
  #31  
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Perhaps some of the 3m carbon fiber vinyl they use on a cars dash or use on a cars hood would be a solution. I would think it can be changed easily too. Check out youtube videos if you've never seen it in use.
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Old 04-14-14, 03:07 PM
  #32  
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Water based paints will work without damaging either the foam or the shell materials.

Joe
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Old 04-14-14, 06:49 PM
  #33  
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Originally Posted by Joe Minton
Water based paints will work without damaging either the foam or the shell materials.

Joe

testify, dude!
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Old 11-26-14, 10:21 AM
  #34  
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My helmet...

Handpainted with POSCA markers by bennyfoss.com. Then clear coated.
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