sunnydee123 0 #1 December 8, 2003 OK so I am itching to have my helmet be bright yellow (it is currently white) and I am wondering if it is total mistake to take on the task myself. I don't want to "f" up my helmet by trying to do something if it is a bigger task then I think. Anyone ever paint there own helmet (and I'm not talking to the pro's with airbrush gadgets and stuff)....???? Can a normal "Joe" go buy some spray paint and have it hold up to the rigors of the sky? Thanks gang.......waiting for suggestions cause I want to go get the stuff YESTERDAY Dreams become reality, one choice at a time... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 3 #2 December 8, 2003 I have painted several helmets myself with great results. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sid 1 #3 December 8, 2003 SunnyDee - check with Cowden - he put some flaming - whoops - flame design on one of his helmets (don't tell him I said so, but it looks pretty cool) SIdPete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjf98 0 #4 December 8, 2003 Easy to paint, not so easy to get the perfect results you see on your brand spankin new helmet. If you enjoy doing stuff for yourself, then do it. Express yourself. You need to get some very fine grit wet/dry sand paper and scuff it up a bit before you spray on that new color. Wash it up after that and then let it dry in a relatively dust free spot for a day. Do thin coats and apply many of them (at least 20 min in between coats). Make sure it's not too humid. Use a clear coat once your done to make it last. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunnydee123 0 #5 December 8, 2003 ok gang...I'm going to be brave and GO FOR IT. Found a hobby shop that sells ALL SORTS OF COLORS for remote control cars - seems like good stuff. I won't expect perfection but I also won't expect to see ANY other helmet like mine .......thanks for the tips gang. Big hugs...pics will follow - you can bet your butt! Dreams become reality, one choice at a time... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #6 December 8, 2003 bring your helmet into the hobby shop so they can see what its made out of and can maybe tell you what will stick best. or... call your local harley davidson store. ask them where they send people to get helmets painted. then call those folks and ask them what process they use and what kind of paint and all that. My cousin did that for his skateboard helmet, and it came out great... not sure what he did or what he used tho. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickfri59 0 #7 December 8, 2003 QuoteYou need to get some very fine grit wet/dry sand paper and scuff it up a bit before you spray on that new color. Wash it up after that and then let it dry in a relatively dust free spot for a day. Like he said, but don't forget to apply a primer. A good primer serves as the "glue" between the helmet material and the finish layers of paint. Good luck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites nightjumps 1 #8 December 9, 2003 Lookup StevePhelps in the member directory and PM or email him. He's a Graphics/Artist guy (does websites, cartoons, rides Harley's, very creative in the art department). He re-painted my first nVertigo and put a really cool Aztec design on it. He'll help. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites andy2 0 #9 December 9, 2003 I've had good luck with spray paint. With actual paint it can be applied and look "globby". Spray paint you can whaft the can back and forth and get a nice even layering. --------------------------------------------- let my inspiration flow, in token rhyme suggesting rhythm... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites mr2mk1g 10 #10 December 9, 2003 do a quick google search for some car maintainance websites. Im sure you will find some very detailed instructions on how to repaint a car (probably best to look for instructions on how to paint a glass fibre car). Painting a helmet involves exactly the same process. The car web site will give you pictures and a step by step guide. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites rigging65 0 #11 December 9, 2003 It's easy. Sand it down (or at least scuff up the old paint very well with wet/dry sandpaper), clean it up, and apply a spray on primer as per mfg's spec. Let dry. Mask it off as you wish (if you wish) then spray with with a quality latex paint. Put on at least a few coats, letting dry in between each (as per mfg's spec.). Spray with a gloss hardener (as per mfg's spec.) and away you go. I've redone by Factory Diver twice. If you get a good, hard clear coat on it, it'll wear very well!...and it'll cost you all of $15. "...and once you had tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward. For there you have been, and there you long to return..." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites sunnydee123 0 #12 December 9, 2003 Thanks again everyone.......I've got the helmet cleaned up and now I need to scuff, prime and paint. I'm so excited and if I screw up - big whoop! It's just a helmet, right! Dreams become reality, one choice at a time... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Chute 0 #13 December 9, 2003 Just remember. Cheap paint cheat results. You might also need to scuff the old paint first. And pratice on something first before you start the helmet. You can do it! If you screw it up you can always take it some where and get them to fix it.Bottomless Beers and Blue Skies! * Brother_Brian * D.S.W.F.S.B. #2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites sunnydee123 0 #14 December 11, 2003 Well helmet is painted and it was easier then I thought....didn't realize I could take off all the trim so not to worry about "neatness" with tape...good stuff! Someone should have REMINDED me to wear a mask though, when putting on the 5 coats....woke up with a NASTY headache this morning... Last process....anyone have suggestions for a good adhesive to put the trim back on....it is still kinda sticky but not sure good enough to hold securely. I'm happy so far, we'll see how snazzy it looks with everything back together.....xo, D Dreams become reality, one choice at a time... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Plucky 0 #15 December 11, 2003 My dad told me when I was 16 and got my first motorcycle, not to paint my helmet, as some paints have lead in them, and if in an accident, they might like to x-ray your skull through the helmet before removing it. Not sure if this is just rubbish, or if it still applies. Just a thought. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Nightingale 0 #16 December 11, 2003 In the USA, paints produced after 1977 do not contain lead. http://www.calpoison.org/public/lead.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites sunnydee123 0 #17 December 11, 2003 Nice to mention this NOW........but I got this partcular paint from a guy who uses it to paint helmets so I am guessing I am ok.....not sure why - just guessing Here is a sample of the unfinished product....it's drying today...then tonight I'll put all my trim back on. It's done......no choice but to like it. Now I just need some cool new stickers to plaster all over it (first one will be my Team BadFish - gotta support my boys Dreams become reality, one choice at a time... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Tailgate 0 #18 December 11, 2003 That's Killer.... nice job _________________________________________________ Let me live in my house by the side of the road and be a friend to man- Sam Walter Foss Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites sunnydee123 0 #19 December 11, 2003 Yeah - not bad for a girl, huh?! I was all set up in my garage, blasting the tunes, taping and sanding - then I washed it all off and let it dry for an hour then I put on the first coat. I did 4 coats, every 30 minutes and did my name(s) FREE HAND this morning at work. Only thing I was NOT happy about is I decided to spray some clear over the blue areas ONLY and it made the side name run a little...but it almost looks cool so I might just leave it alone. Just want it to dry now so I can jump tomorrow at 12:30.... Dreams become reality, one choice at a time... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites grega 0 #20 December 11, 2003 hey that's my favorite color you have there. though some black stripes are missing Great looking helmet btw "George just lucky i guess!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Shark 0 #21 December 11, 2003 Very cool! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites rjf98 0 #22 December 11, 2003 Seet job D! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites StevePhelps 0 #23 December 11, 2003 looks good! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites FrenchyDiver 0 #24 December 11, 2003 Sweet Hispas Brothers President HISPA #2, Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites sunnydee123 0 #25 December 11, 2003 Thanks everyone...I'm anxious to get home tonight and put it all back together. Wasn't as big a deal as I thought and MUCH cheaper then getting a new helmet ...cost me a whopping $17 bucks for the entire project Dreams become reality, one choice at a time... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 Next Page 1 of 2 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0 Go To Topic Listing
nightjumps 1 #8 December 9, 2003 Lookup StevePhelps in the member directory and PM or email him. He's a Graphics/Artist guy (does websites, cartoons, rides Harley's, very creative in the art department). He re-painted my first nVertigo and put a really cool Aztec design on it. He'll help. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andy2 0 #9 December 9, 2003 I've had good luck with spray paint. With actual paint it can be applied and look "globby". Spray paint you can whaft the can back and forth and get a nice even layering. --------------------------------------------- let my inspiration flow, in token rhyme suggesting rhythm... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr2mk1g 10 #10 December 9, 2003 do a quick google search for some car maintainance websites. Im sure you will find some very detailed instructions on how to repaint a car (probably best to look for instructions on how to paint a glass fibre car). Painting a helmet involves exactly the same process. The car web site will give you pictures and a step by step guide. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rigging65 0 #11 December 9, 2003 It's easy. Sand it down (or at least scuff up the old paint very well with wet/dry sandpaper), clean it up, and apply a spray on primer as per mfg's spec. Let dry. Mask it off as you wish (if you wish) then spray with with a quality latex paint. Put on at least a few coats, letting dry in between each (as per mfg's spec.). Spray with a gloss hardener (as per mfg's spec.) and away you go. I've redone by Factory Diver twice. If you get a good, hard clear coat on it, it'll wear very well!...and it'll cost you all of $15. "...and once you had tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward. For there you have been, and there you long to return..." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunnydee123 0 #12 December 9, 2003 Thanks again everyone.......I've got the helmet cleaned up and now I need to scuff, prime and paint. I'm so excited and if I screw up - big whoop! It's just a helmet, right! Dreams become reality, one choice at a time... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chute 0 #13 December 9, 2003 Just remember. Cheap paint cheat results. You might also need to scuff the old paint first. And pratice on something first before you start the helmet. You can do it! If you screw it up you can always take it some where and get them to fix it.Bottomless Beers and Blue Skies! * Brother_Brian * D.S.W.F.S.B. #2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunnydee123 0 #14 December 11, 2003 Well helmet is painted and it was easier then I thought....didn't realize I could take off all the trim so not to worry about "neatness" with tape...good stuff! Someone should have REMINDED me to wear a mask though, when putting on the 5 coats....woke up with a NASTY headache this morning... Last process....anyone have suggestions for a good adhesive to put the trim back on....it is still kinda sticky but not sure good enough to hold securely. I'm happy so far, we'll see how snazzy it looks with everything back together.....xo, D Dreams become reality, one choice at a time... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Plucky 0 #15 December 11, 2003 My dad told me when I was 16 and got my first motorcycle, not to paint my helmet, as some paints have lead in them, and if in an accident, they might like to x-ray your skull through the helmet before removing it. Not sure if this is just rubbish, or if it still applies. Just a thought. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Nightingale 0 #16 December 11, 2003 In the USA, paints produced after 1977 do not contain lead. http://www.calpoison.org/public/lead.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites sunnydee123 0 #17 December 11, 2003 Nice to mention this NOW........but I got this partcular paint from a guy who uses it to paint helmets so I am guessing I am ok.....not sure why - just guessing Here is a sample of the unfinished product....it's drying today...then tonight I'll put all my trim back on. It's done......no choice but to like it. Now I just need some cool new stickers to plaster all over it (first one will be my Team BadFish - gotta support my boys Dreams become reality, one choice at a time... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Tailgate 0 #18 December 11, 2003 That's Killer.... nice job _________________________________________________ Let me live in my house by the side of the road and be a friend to man- Sam Walter Foss Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites sunnydee123 0 #19 December 11, 2003 Yeah - not bad for a girl, huh?! I was all set up in my garage, blasting the tunes, taping and sanding - then I washed it all off and let it dry for an hour then I put on the first coat. I did 4 coats, every 30 minutes and did my name(s) FREE HAND this morning at work. Only thing I was NOT happy about is I decided to spray some clear over the blue areas ONLY and it made the side name run a little...but it almost looks cool so I might just leave it alone. Just want it to dry now so I can jump tomorrow at 12:30.... Dreams become reality, one choice at a time... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites grega 0 #20 December 11, 2003 hey that's my favorite color you have there. though some black stripes are missing Great looking helmet btw "George just lucky i guess!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Shark 0 #21 December 11, 2003 Very cool! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites rjf98 0 #22 December 11, 2003 Seet job D! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites StevePhelps 0 #23 December 11, 2003 looks good! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites FrenchyDiver 0 #24 December 11, 2003 Sweet Hispas Brothers President HISPA #2, Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites sunnydee123 0 #25 December 11, 2003 Thanks everyone...I'm anxious to get home tonight and put it all back together. Wasn't as big a deal as I thought and MUCH cheaper then getting a new helmet ...cost me a whopping $17 bucks for the entire project Dreams become reality, one choice at a time... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 Next Page 1 of 2 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
Nightingale 0 #16 December 11, 2003 In the USA, paints produced after 1977 do not contain lead. http://www.calpoison.org/public/lead.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunnydee123 0 #17 December 11, 2003 Nice to mention this NOW........but I got this partcular paint from a guy who uses it to paint helmets so I am guessing I am ok.....not sure why - just guessing Here is a sample of the unfinished product....it's drying today...then tonight I'll put all my trim back on. It's done......no choice but to like it. Now I just need some cool new stickers to plaster all over it (first one will be my Team BadFish - gotta support my boys Dreams become reality, one choice at a time... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tailgate 0 #18 December 11, 2003 That's Killer.... nice job _________________________________________________ Let me live in my house by the side of the road and be a friend to man- Sam Walter Foss Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunnydee123 0 #19 December 11, 2003 Yeah - not bad for a girl, huh?! I was all set up in my garage, blasting the tunes, taping and sanding - then I washed it all off and let it dry for an hour then I put on the first coat. I did 4 coats, every 30 minutes and did my name(s) FREE HAND this morning at work. Only thing I was NOT happy about is I decided to spray some clear over the blue areas ONLY and it made the side name run a little...but it almost looks cool so I might just leave it alone. Just want it to dry now so I can jump tomorrow at 12:30.... Dreams become reality, one choice at a time... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grega 0 #20 December 11, 2003 hey that's my favorite color you have there. though some black stripes are missing Great looking helmet btw "George just lucky i guess!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StevePhelps 0 #23 December 11, 2003 looks good! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FrenchyDiver 0 #24 December 11, 2003 Sweet Hispas Brothers President HISPA #2, Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunnydee123 0 #25 December 11, 2003 Thanks everyone...I'm anxious to get home tonight and put it all back together. Wasn't as big a deal as I thought and MUCH cheaper then getting a new helmet ...cost me a whopping $17 bucks for the entire project Dreams become reality, one choice at a time... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
