Custon hand-lettering on helmets?

[npgraphicdesign 2]

A friend asked me to hand-letter a quote on his helmet. I'm a graphic designer by trade, but have never dealt with hand-lettering anything onto a helmet.

This is the helmet:
http://www.tonfly.com/Helmet-Solar-Converter-Top_1852407.html

If any of you have done any hand-lettering on helmet, would you be able to PM me or post some examples here? I am looking for a bit of advice on types of paints to use, how to transfer the hand-lettering onto the helmet, etc. Would love to see some examples and hear some advice. I can hand-letter the quote on paper easily, but don't want to screw it up on the helmet itself and have to buy another one.

Thanks fellow skydivers/artists!

[half-a-greek 0]

...hmmmm, I have no idea honestly, but maybe you could try calling the manufacturer. Out of all of the people in the world, they would be able to give you the skinny on what type of paint/finish they use and what will mix well with it... I've wondered the same thing though, I'm thinking about customizing my factory diver. best of luck!!

[futuredivot 0]

I used to have auto shops with the vinyl cutters do custom stuff for my fire helmet. Might work and you wouldn't have the heat issues that I dealt with

You are only as strong as the prey you devour

[npgraphicdesign 2]

Quote

I used to have auto shops with the vinyl cutters do custom stuff for my fire helmet. Might work and you wouldn't have the heat issues that I dealt with

I was thinking of making a stencil out of vinyl, then pasting it on the helmet, painting over it, and then simply peeling it off...

Do you have any examples of what you've done? would love to see it

[swoopfly 5]

hey

i was also thinking of customizing my helmet, anyone have any idea of the type of paint i would need???, i think someone at the dropzone said to use acrylic paint. well anyone else know?

[ficus 0]

I did this paint job a couple weeks ago with rattle cans of automotive paint and masking tape.

- Scuff helmet with Scotch-Brite pad
- Coat of primer/sealer
- Silver paint
- Mask center stripe, white paint
- Mask pinstripes, red paint
- Loving rubdown with 1500 grit wet/dry paper to even out paint levels on striping
- 4 coats of clear

Warning: it will take around a week with all the waiting and curing to do it right.

[airgord 1]

Ask the local Harley/chopper shop, those people do lots of lettering on helmets and bikes. Custom paint shops too (automotive).

[demoknite 0]

Judging from your profile, your from the NE United States. You might want to ask the people who do hockey goalkeeper masks how they do it.

[demoknite 0]

Judging from your profile, your from the NE United States. You might want to ask the people who do hockey goalkeeper masks how they do it.

[MotoGP 0]

Dude, you can get some One Shot pinstriping paint from a company called Eastwood. They also have horse and squirl hair striping brushed just to do lettering. These cats could totally hook you up.

[npgraphicdesign 2]

Quote

Dude, you can get some One Shot pinstriping paint from a company called Eastwood. They also have horse and squirl hair striping brushed just to do lettering. These cats could totally hook you up.

Is this it?
http://www.eastwood.com/

Have you ever done any custom paint work like this?

[MotoGP 0]

I have just dipped my toe in the world of striping. I have not got the brushes out in some time.

[mouth 0]

There is (was) a guy in Raeford, NC who does custom work. Kate (Raefordite) has him do hers. She jumped the one I had then I put 500+ jumps on it and now the thing is floating around Palatka.

It looked like he used acryllic paint pens to do some of the work. It was REALLY pretty as it had sparkle paint as the base coat. I know from being around a paint store that the primer and the top coats (Yes, I said plural) are the most important.

FYI...keep a can of Goo Gone(tm) or Goof Off (tm) handy if you do make a mistake. It will remove any goofs.

--
Hot Mama
At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit.