mrmatt Posted October 11, 2004 Report Share Posted October 11, 2004 What is the deal with painting helmets? Every helmet that I have bought has come with explicit warnings about painting the helmet. But people paint helmets all of the time, heck, some people even make a living from it. Are the helmet manufacturers afraid that the paint will react with the plastic and weaken it? Will all paint do this, or is there only a specific kind, like laquer, that can weaken the plastic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ledofthezep Posted October 11, 2004 Report Share Posted October 11, 2004 Couldn't tell ya. I know O3LE & his girl have some kick-ass helmets though that have been painted up, ya may yell at him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer Posted October 11, 2004 Report Share Posted October 11, 2004 i would imagine its something like what you said mrmatt. probably just cause one helmet to crack in a batch of a million, so they put the warning on there. to know for sure call a reputable paint shop, not home depot, and see what they say about it weakening plastic. or whatever the shells are made of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
banshee370 Posted October 12, 2004 Report Share Posted October 12, 2004 Most helmets now a day are made from either CF or a mix of SMC/fiberglass/composite material. Now... Lacquers and Enamels use a great amount of solvents which in turn can soften or weaken the material. Most newer products are urethane based but many use very agressive solvents. I would assume that all hemlet manufacturers do not want the liability issues when a helmet fails due to someone painting it. Its easier to point the blame elsewhere. You could use almost any newer automotive grade paint system, but I would be more picky since I know which ones are more agressive or solvent based. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bansheeman1121 Posted October 14, 2004 Report Share Posted October 14, 2004 I do alot of helemts for my friends, usally end up putting flames on them sometimes graphics they pick out but every helmet ive ever done, I sand it really good prime it and paint it, then clear coat it and never had a problem if you do it right it will come out smooth as you can ever imagine it, i like to cut them flames out paint over them then peel the flames off that way you cant scratch the flames off or anything but good luck with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adrenilinjunki Posted November 2, 2004 Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 i had a custom painted helmet when i rode dirtbikes i took a pretty nasty spill crossing pavment dumb ass me never let off the gas going from the dirt as soon as i hit the hard top the tire grabed and i fliped over spit the helmet in the back but it held my head together Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wantinashee Posted November 5, 2004 Report Share Posted November 5, 2004 Couldn't tell ya. I know O3LE & his girl have some kick-ass helmets though that have been painted up, ya may yell at him. heres a pic of what they look like spud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat Posted November 5, 2004 Report Share Posted November 5, 2004 Did you do that yourself? They look great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wantinashee Posted November 5, 2004 Report Share Posted November 5, 2004 no, i wish i was that good. a place in pittsburg kansas did them. ask 03le and he will probly hook you up with the guy. spud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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