spray painting a helmet?

Message
Author
User avatar
Hondagirl
Legendary 500
Legendary 500
Posts: 652
Joined: Tue Jan 01, 2008 11:34 pm
Sex: Female
Years Riding: 0
My Motorcycle: 2008 Honda Motard XR400
Location: Japan and CT

spray painting a helmet?

#1 Unread post by Hondagirl »

Has anyone tried? Or is this a complete no brainer?
I have had a red helmet for ever since my last bike was red I just always got red helmets. My new bike is black and gold but my helmet is still only 3 years worn so I was just playing with the idea of spray painting it gold... :boat:
Honda Motard XR400
Traded: Honda SL230 and Yamaha XJR400

User avatar
Johnj
Site Supporter - Platinum
Site Supporter - Platinum
Posts: 3806
Joined: Fri Nov 17, 2006 7:34 am
Real Name: Johnny Strabler
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 34
My Motorcycle: A Bolt of Lightning
Location: Kansas City KS

Re: spray painting a helmet?

#2 Unread post by Johnj »

They say not to paint your helmet. It breaks down material, making it more brittle.
People say I'm stupid and apathetic. I don't know what that means, and I don't care.
Image
Always wear a helmet, eye protection, and protective clothing. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

User avatar
Thumper
Legendary 500
Legendary 500
Posts: 577
Joined: Wed May 10, 2006 5:40 pm
Real Name: K.A. Thompson
Sex: Female
Years Riding: 9
My Motorcycle: '14 BMW F700GS
Location: Dixon, CA

Re: spray painting a helmet?

#3 Unread post by Thumper »

An alternate for painting is to get a helmet skin....just Google "Helmet Skinz" and you'll have tons of options for getting the color you want, without any risk to damaging the helmet.

User avatar
Hondagirl
Legendary 500
Legendary 500
Posts: 652
Joined: Tue Jan 01, 2008 11:34 pm
Sex: Female
Years Riding: 0
My Motorcycle: 2008 Honda Motard XR400
Location: Japan and CT

Re: spray painting a helmet?

#4 Unread post by Hondagirl »

Thanks. Just the info I was looking for. I suspected it was a nono because I never heard of anyone doing it. Now I have the facts.
And thx for the tip Thumper.
Honda Motard XR400
Traded: Honda SL230 and Yamaha XJR400

User avatar
HYPERR
Legendary 3000
Legendary 3000
Posts: 3159
Joined: Wed May 21, 2008 11:13 am
Sex: Male
My Motorcycle: Year/Make/Model
Location: CT, USA

Re: spray painting a helmet?

#5 Unread post by HYPERR »

Hondagirl wrote:Thanks. Just the info I was looking for. I suspected it was a nono because I never heard of anyone doing it. Now I have the facts.
And thx for the tip Thumper.
One of my helmets is airbrushed as you know. :mrgreen:

My friend had a lime green helmet when he had his lime green Kawasaki ZX10R traded it on a VRod so he spray painted it flat black. This is the only color that probably looks good from a spray can. Any other color looks like dodo due to the poor quality paint from a spray can.
2008 Ducati Hypermotard 1100
2006 Kawasaki KLX250S
2004 Honda CBR600RR
2002 BMW R1150R
1996 Ducati 900SS

User avatar
Hondagirl
Legendary 500
Legendary 500
Posts: 652
Joined: Tue Jan 01, 2008 11:34 pm
Sex: Female
Years Riding: 0
My Motorcycle: 2008 Honda Motard XR400
Location: Japan and CT

Re: spray painting a helmet?

#6 Unread post by Hondagirl »

yeah..plus I would no doubt make a total mess of it.
Does anyone use helmet skins? They would stop the helmet getting little scratches.
Honda Motard XR400
Traded: Honda SL230 and Yamaha XJR400

User avatar
coffee_brake
Legendary 300
Legendary 300
Posts: 318
Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2007 4:17 pm
Sex: Male
Location: Augusta, GA

Re: spray painting a helmet?

#7 Unread post by coffee_brake »

The same paint that made the helmet in the first place is what is in the re-painting. Mind, you want to tape off the openings at the neck and face shield, just use masking tape and newspaper to make a barrier. Not hard.

You'll sand the helmet with 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper with a little soapy water, no need to go through the color. You just want to scuff the clear coat.
Then you can use a very good quality color (I like Duplicolor available form auto parts stores), follow the directions on the can for 2-3 coats.

Then, I have always clear-coated the helmet with either automotive grade stuff or with the spray can stuff. The equipment from Harbor Freight for the auotomitve grade stuff was less than $70, the clear coat itself doesn't cost much either, just ask the guys at the paint shop what you need and what to do. It's seriously easy. The prep work is far more involved than the actual painting, painstaking cleanliness like you'd do with preparing food for your family. I've painted two bikes, not just helmets, and had good results just by asking lots of questions and watching it being done.

I have painted all my helmets, one for each bike, since it's so hard to find a helmet to fit my tiny head that I buy whatever color fits me that I can find.
You won't make a mess of it if you can successfully paint your toenails....
Jenn S.
AMA #658162
2005 Concours
2001 Vmax
1992 CB750

User avatar
MZ33
Site Supporter - Silver
Site Supporter - Silver
Posts: 814
Joined: Sat Nov 03, 2007 10:57 am
Sex: Female
Years Riding: 3
My Motorcycle: fabulous 2008 Kawi Versys
Location: Columbus, OH

Re: spray painting a helmet?

#8 Unread post by MZ33 »

Jenn, you crack me up! I've missed hearing from you! (It was the toenails comment that got me) Re-post pics of your paint jobs, please, so we can see how well you do it. (You can post toenail pics too, if you want.)
[img]http://i39.tinypic.com/16jla1l.jpg[/img]

___________________________________
Civility and democracy both require effort.

User avatar
dj biker
Rookie
Rookie
Posts: 8
Joined: Wed Mar 22, 2006 5:09 pm
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 34
My Motorcycle: 2007 Harley Davidson Heritage Classic
Location: Tennessee Ridge, TN

Re: spray painting a helmet?

#9 Unread post by dj biker »

coffee_brake wrote:The same paint that made the helmet in the first place is what is in the re-painting. ....
AMEN, I have painted a lot of helmets over the years with great results as well. Have at it, it is easy, just be sure to prep properly and you will have a great looking helmet for pennies!

User avatar
Hondagirl
Legendary 500
Legendary 500
Posts: 652
Joined: Tue Jan 01, 2008 11:34 pm
Sex: Female
Years Riding: 0
My Motorcycle: 2008 Honda Motard XR400
Location: Japan and CT

Re: spray painting a helmet?

#10 Unread post by Hondagirl »

ooh I would LOVE to see pics too!!! :clap:
Honda Motard XR400
Traded: Honda SL230 and Yamaha XJR400

Post Reply