Triumphrat

FelixLeiter · 07-03-2005

What type of paint should I use when painting a helmet? It is a polycarbonate shell, should I rough it up a bit with 1000 grit sandpaper prior to painting graphics on it. I will likely mask off my graphics and spray it, then go over the lines with a thin pinstriping brush... any recommendations?

Hinckley · 07-05-2005

I would not paint a polycarbonate helmet. The solvents in the paint can effect the strength of the plastic shell.
The safest thing to do would be to call the manufacturer of the helmet and confirm that the substrate can be painted over, my guess is that they will recommend that you don't.

I have painted Shoei and Arai helmets with very good sucess. In their owner's manual, they caution that the liner be removed and not to get solvents or overspray on the interior of the helmet as the solvents will melt the protective foam liner.

tbone16 · 07-11-2005

I would recomend something rougher than 1000 grit if you want the paint to bite. 600 I would think would open it up a bit more, but I am not sure with the surface of the helmet.

07-12-2005

Never paint polycarbonate. I worked in a Failure Analyses Lab for a large corporation for many years and this was one of the more common problems encountered on a regular basis. Plastic parts would come in that had failed and it would turn out to be a polycarbonate that was degreased with or somehow came into contact with a hydrocarbon solvent. The result is called, "Solvent Stress Cracking."

Martin
Maryland USA

Iggy · 07-15-2005

Best thing to do is take it to a guy who specializes in vinyl graphics. Vinyl has been used in all forms from cars to planes to boats to motorcycles. You can design anything you want and the specialist should be able to reproduce it and apply it.
Best of all, if you tire of it, or gets damaged, just pull it off and apply something else.
You think all the F1, NASCAR, IRL, CHAMP cars are painted with all those graphics?

[ This message was edited by: Iggy on 2005-07-15 10:58 ]