spray painting a helmet?

[Hondagirl]

Has anyone tried? Or is this a complete no brainer?
I have had a red helmet for ever since my last bike was red I just always got red helmets. My new bike is black and gold but my helmet is still only 3 years worn so I was just playing with the idea of spray painting it gold...

[Johnj]

They say not to paint your helmet. It breaks down material, making it more brittle.

[Thumper]

An alternate for painting is to get a helmet skin....just Google "Helmet Skinz" and you'll have tons of options for getting the color you want, without any risk to damaging the helmet.

[Hondagirl]

Thanks. Just the info I was looking for. I suspected it was a nono because I never heard of anyone doing it. Now I have the facts.
And thx for the tip Thumper.

[HYPERR]

Thanks. Just the info I was looking for. I suspected it was a nono because I never heard of anyone doing it. Now I have the facts.
And thx for the tip Thumper.

One of my helmets is airbrushed as you know.

My friend had a lime green helmet when he had his lime green Kawasaki ZX10R traded it on a VRod so he spray painted it flat black. This is the only color that probably looks good from a spray can. Any other color looks like dodo due to the poor quality paint from a spray can.

[Hondagirl]

yeah..plus I would no doubt make a total mess of it.
Does anyone use helmet skins? They would stop the helmet getting little scratches.

[coffee_brake]

The same paint that made the helmet in the first place is what is in the re-painting. Mind, you want to tape off the openings at the neck and face shield, just use masking tape and newspaper to make a barrier. Not hard.

You'll sand the helmet with 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper with a little soapy water, no need to go through the color. You just want to scuff the clear coat.
Then you can use a very good quality color (I like Duplicolor available form auto parts stores), follow the directions on the can for 2-3 coats.

Then, I have always clear-coated the helmet with either automotive grade stuff or with the spray can stuff. The equipment from Harbor Freight for the auotomitve grade stuff was less than $70, the clear coat itself doesn't cost much either, just ask the guys at the paint shop what you need and what to do. It's seriously easy. The prep work is far more involved than the actual painting, painstaking cleanliness like you'd do with preparing food for your family. I've painted two bikes, not just helmets, and had good results just by asking lots of questions and watching it being done.

I have painted all my helmets, one for each bike, since it's so hard to find a helmet to fit my tiny head that I buy whatever color fits me that I can find.
You won't make a mess of it if you can successfully paint your toenails....

[MZ33]

Jenn, you crack me up! I've missed hearing from you! (It was the toenails comment that got me) Re-post pics of your paint jobs, please, so we can see how well you do it. (You can post toenail pics too, if you want.)

[dj biker]

The same paint that made the helmet in the first place is what is in the re-painting. ....

AMEN, I have painted a lot of helmets over the years with great results as well. Have at it, it is easy, just be sure to prep properly and you will have a great looking helmet for pennies!

[Hondagirl]

ooh I would LOVE to see pics too!!!