Helmet painting ?

hg3 · Post by **hg3** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 7:03 pm

Has any one ever painted their helmet and the painting lasted and not look kludged? I like the idea of florescent or day-glow color. Thus, some of the helmets, I am considering, do not have this color - so can I paint it and it lasts?

Chartreuse Hi-Vis = I want to be seen!

If you had done this - name of product if you don't mind.

Thanks

bluebuddygirl · Post by **bluebuddygirl** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 9:12 pm

I have said it before, but I will say it again, if you paint your helmet you may weaken its structure, possibly decreasing its impact resistance. Not worth it in my view.

michelle_7728 · Post by **michelle_7728** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 9:56 pm

I went out and bought the neon yellow high viz Scorpion EXO-900 when it came out. Bummer that I had just purchased a black Scorpion EXO-900 a few months earlier, but now, with some reflective tape it's my back up helmet.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 12:40 pm

bluebuddygirl wrote:I have said it before, but I will say it again, if you paint your helmet you may weaken its structure, possibly decreasing its impact resistance. Not worth it in my view.

Can I do a "semi"

?

For years I've wanted to do a custom paint job on my helmets and have done numerous googles on the subject. This seems to be one of the topics with strong opinions on both sides without much factual info to back things up.

One of the short posts that seem to sum things up in the Volusia Riders forum ...
"Helmet Constitution material will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Fiberglass is one material, but they also use carbon fiber, thermoplastic, and other materials. The solvents in most paints will dissolve the shell in thermoplastic helmets which will weaken the helmet.
The solvents in most paints can also affect fiberglass and carbon fiber shells as well. It is not recommended that you apply ANYTHING to your helmet, regardless of the construction material"

I also once did a test ... very unscientific as it was. I filled two plastic cups, both soft and hard, with paint (I don't remember what type of paint). I let them sit for awhile and came back to a mess with both, as the paint solvents had melted the plastic (basically what I'd expected). It didn't take long either, perhaps an hour.

All that being said, there are many businesses that custom paint helmets.

Rob

agrogod · Post by **agrogod** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 12:48 pm

Use water based for the design and a top coat clear lacquer sealer, just mask off the areas you don't want the lacquer to touch.