How to Custom Paint a Helmet

How to Custom Paint a Helmet

How to Custom Paint a Helmet

Helmets, whether for riding bikes, motorcycles, racing cars, or playing sports, can be a personal part of your identity within the sport or activity in which you use it. Most sports teams have logos or other identifying images or words painted on them, but for helmets used personally, you may want to custom paint the helmet. You may simply to change the helmet's color, or you may want to hand paint your name onto the helmet. You might even have personal art work you'd like on your helmet. Custom painting a helmet to give it a personal touch can be fun and is easy enough for anyone to accomplish. Here are the few simple tools you will need:

Paint

Razor Blades

Masking Tape

Fine Line Tape

Fine Sandpaper

Optional: Airbrush

The first step is to remove everything that you can from the helmet, visor, attachments, etc. The more you take off, the less you need to mask off. With everything removed, scuff the surface with fine sandpaper, either 320 or 360 should work well. You can also use a scotchbrite pad. You are not looking to sand into the surface, just give it some "tooth" for the paint to hold.

Second step is to mask off any areas of the helmet that you do not want to get paint on. If you have decided to go with a design, use the fine line tape to layout the design, then mask it off as needed. Intricate designs require a lot of masking and re-masking so take your time.

Thirdly, Your choice of paint can be varied, for the best results you want to use automotive paints. Touch-up spray cans in the colors of your choice are a good option. Warm the paint slightly by placing the can in a warm pan of water prior to spraying. This will help the paint flow better and provide nicer coverage. Make sure that you purchase a can of gloss clear for the final coats, this will give the helmet a nice finished appearance.

The final step is to paint the color on the helmet in the unmasked areas and allow more than ample time for it to dry. Then mask that area as needed for your design and unmask the next area. Once you have the entire helmet painted with your colors, allow it a full day to dry. At this time, you can apply 2-3 coats of clear. Apply the clear carefully, it is normally a thinner paint and will run if you attempt to apply it to quickly. Allow the helmet to dry another full day after the clear application and then you should be able to remove the remaining masking tape and reattach the parts that you removed.

A few tips & warnings:

Use an X-Acto knife instead of razor blades for better control and layout of your design.

Cut lightly around all of the masked areas with the knife before removing the masking tape to limit the chances of pulling up the paint.

Make sure you have ample ventilation in your workspace.

Do not paint around any open flames or pilot lights.

GOOD LUCK & HAVE FUN!

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