paint helmet - easy breezy please!

[cmejia1978]

hi! I know there is a whole "legend" on how to paint the bike etc... by ducpainter, thank you for that by the way. BUT I would like to paint my icon helmet, I have no air brush paint, just spray cans from walmart at hand, SO... ideas, comments, just would like to paint a red stripe on the center and on the sides white with a black stripe, letters DUCATI on both sides, got the stickers already from ebay. I need to know please on 5 or less  easy steps how to do it! YES, I need the gloss finish, clear coat I think it's called also... or maybe I am talking BS, just help please!  if there is a post with everything I have to know my bad and just pointed out thanks! 

[WTSDS]

Every helmet I've ever seen says it's a no no to paint or even put decals on it. Apparently solvents and adhesives can affect the plastic/fibreglass.

Wot would the helmet manufacturers know ?

That said I have seen lots of helmets with stickers and custom paint jobs :-)

Over to the experts.........

[Raux]

Every helmet I've ever seen says it's a no no to paint or even put decals on it. Apparently solvents and adhesives can affect the plastic/fibreglass.

Wot would the helmet manufacturers know ?

That said I have seen lots of helmets with stickers and custom paint jobs :-)

Over to the experts.........

they also say you can't rip off tags off matresses 

[ducpainter]

Most helmets can be painted according to the manufacturers.

Arai specifically states to not remove gaskets.

The fumes from painting could damage the foam so the helmet needs to be well masked.

For a rattle can job scuff with 320 and paint. Try not to break through the existing paint.

If the helmet is polycarbonate impregnated with color you'll need to use an adhesion promoter.

Rattle can paints are extremely re-coat sensitive so each additional color will require the previous color to dry a minimum of a week at 70 deg F.

You'd then mask and scuff the area for the additional color/s.

If you're going to clear the entire helmet will need to be scuffed with 1000 grit, decals applied, and then clear. It won't work with metallic colors because the sanding will ruin the metallic coats. If you use a metallic it will need to be protected with clear before scuffing.

There is no easy breezy way.

[Slide Panda]

The important stuff inside the helmet is EPS - expanded polystyrene AKA styrofoam. Get some scraps from other packing and see what the fumes do to it before you get near your noggin protector.