Anyone had their crash helmet custom painted?
I had my Bell Sport 2 airbrushed recently by a motorcycle customizer, based on a helmet I painted years ago. That was so long ago that the colours
were originally inspired by Freddie Spencer's helmet - world motorcycle champ in early 80's. I like to think the retro style stripes make a
nice change from all the schumy inspired circular patterns the karting kids are currently using.
I wanted to have the silver shapes on the back in "chrome" effect, like you see on some FI helmets etc, but my painter didn't know the
trick - Does anyone?
We tried chrome effect vinyl under the clear coat, but that didn't work.
Cheers
Fred W B
helmet
helmet 1
[Edited on 20/2/06 by Fred W B]
Yeh mines a custom job...not got a pic but its basicaly split into three with the front section to back being a chequered flag, one side a japanese flag, one side an italian flag and the back is a daffy duck with a cigarette and the words smokin above it in smoke letters, all the flags are waving and tear off into flames at the back...looks very cool but hard to explain....Cheers Oli.
youll have to start with a chrome plated helmet, if you want mirror finish, next best thing is vinyl but its not a very good mirror affect.
The mirror finish silver you may want to look at is a Dupont Mylar self adhesive film that many sign writers stock. As it is a polyester it is not as
stretchy as Vinyl so 3D shapes are tricky but the patches on the back of your helmet (assume that is the area) look small enough if the film is pre
warmed. Vinyl stretches better but as you have discovered silver vinyl is actually more like slightly metalic grey. Wrong part of the world or I could
give you a sheet of it. Sealing is not a huge problemjust as long as the clear laquer used is compatable with the protective coating on the surface
(try a scrap first) Dave
[Edited on 21/2/06 by Kodiak]
Thanks for replys guys. We did try some silver chrome look vinyl, but it peeled up under the clearcoat. The painter redid it with silver paint, as you
see in the pic.
Cheers
Fred WB
Fred, The mirror silver vinyl is actually a polyester film and, as you discovered, is very sensitive to solvents leeching underneath and dissolving
the adhesive backing. You need to seal it with a water based (I think) laquer before using a two pack top coat. If you have a word with the vinyl
supplier he will probably give you some pointers.
Hope that helps
[Edited on 21-2-06 by RazMan]