Helmet Weirdness - Page 3

 


wrote:

Of course they can be painted. You don't seriusly think that they're self
coloured during formin I hope. They're ALL painted at some pouint.




The biggest "problem" with polycarb lids is decals. The adhesive can migrate
from the back of the decal into the polycarb causing stress points at the
decal edge. However, in reality, it's not so much a real problem as a
perceived problem.




Or painted if he wants it a different colour.


--
Beav

VN 750
Zed 1000
OMF# 19

 

Beav wrote:


That was the traditional method of making polycarbonate helmets.
If you scratched one you would see that the color was in the plastic
rather than painted on. Of course things may have changed recently.

--
Eiron.

 


In the early days polycarbonate helmets usually were made with the
colour right in the plastic.  An alternate method that was used to
make "metal flake" was to spray clear plastic into the mold, then a
gelcoat with the colour, put the rest of the mold in place, and inject
the plastic.

There are paints that are save to use on polycarbonate helmets, but
you're not going to find them in a rattle can at the local Wal-mart.


You think adhesive can migrate but chemicals from paint wont?  The
paint might not cause stress points but it can make the whole thing
brittle.  At the very least he should look at the documentation that
comes with the helmet to see if the manufacturer made any warnings.

 


It's easy to paint a helmet.   Wet sand the thing with 600 grit paper,
tape up the trim, and spray it with a can or two of enamel.  Let it
dry at least 24 hours.   Shouldn't need clearcoat.  If you're anal
retentive, wet sand it again, then spray a second coat, let it dry,
then wet sand it with 1200/1500 grit, then use rubbing compound
followed by polishing compound followed by swirl remover, followed by
a good carnuba wax. and the thing will look like a $1,000 custom paint
job ..  if you masked it properly.

 



Don't sand it, use a scotch-Brite pad (grey, not red)

Wallop it with a rattle can of white sweeping across the lid about 4 to 6
inches away. Don't lay the paint on thick, just coat it. Do it three or 4
times in a clean environment and it's ready for a buff and polish (or just a
polish if no shit has maded on it when it was wet). Do the polishing at
least 24 hours after painting. don't rush.

--
Beav

VN 750
Zed 1000
OMF# 19