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Spray Painting your helmet?

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Drewsky
Posts: 10 - Karma: 12

I heard somewhere that if you spraypaint your helmet, it will affect the plastic and make it crack when it gets hit hard. Is this true? or is it safe to do it?

Jul 30 2009 9:53AM
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PintSizedSteeze
Posts: 26 - Karma: 12
I think it should be ok cos they also say not to put stickers on it cos of the glue. yet i've never seen someones helmet smashed just because it has stickers on it.
Jul 30 2009 10:32AM
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Malcolm
Posts: 15949 - Karma: 9,431
its probably so they dont get sued or something.
Jul 30 2009 10:49AM
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MacMahoooon
Posts: 9009 - Karma: 3,305
Some spray paints will react with the plastics so just be careful what you buy
Jul 30 2009 11:11AM
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HuckMadTrix
Posts: 448 - Karma: 138

I bought a small spray gun that uses canned air at a craft store. I used acrylic paint. That have virtually any color which is sick. I did about 4 thin coats letting it dry all the way in between each coat. Came out sooo smooth and looks sick. It scratched up but who cares. You can just paint it again!

I also took the metal vents out and painted those florecent green and painted the rivets red with a brush.

Check it out!

Jul 30 2009 11:52AM
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HuckMadTrix
Posts: 448 - Karma: 138

Here's a pic.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=31275695&l=ab69f7b388&id=173702034

Jul 30 2009 11:53AM
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Thrash
Posts: 821 - Karma: 9
i spray painted mine this year and hit my head quite a few times and i never found cracks in my helmet. so i would say your good to go
Jul 30 2009 12:36PM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,385
Yea, use acrylic paint, not oil paint, and you will be fine.

regular spray paint will damage the outer shell of your helmet.
Jul 30 2009 1:01PM
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Tripplesixty
Posts: 835 - Karma: 148
True.. however most of the protection in your helmet iis from the inch or so of styrofoam that is between your head and whatever your hitting
Jul 30 2009 1:06PM
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a--1
Posts: 484 - Karma: 23
My friend did his last season and it worked perfectly fine nothing happened, so just be sure to get the correct spray paint so it doesn't ruin it.
Jul 30 2009 1:25PM
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MacMahoooon
Posts: 9009 - Karma: 3,305
Half correct. The foam is what absorbs the impact. But hit that foam without the shell (or a compromised shell) and it will shatter and not absorb near as much energy
Jul 30 2009 1:26PM
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null_
Posts: 267 - Karma: 17
acrylic paint will work fine, but oil paint will not dry well, and proobbably warp or react to the plastic
Jul 30 2009 4:05PM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,385
depends on if you have a hard shell helmet or one of the older style helmets with a layer of plastic only to protect the foam, like bike helmets or the old giro 9 series helmets.

most helmets these days have a hard shell that will break down, which is pretty important if that's the style helmet you have.
Jul 30 2009 4:25PM
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eggss
Posts: 38 - Karma: 8
ive heard that the spray paint can eat away at the plastic but i think thats alot of bullshit.... if your going to paint your helmet.. tape up the straps so they dont get sticky, use primer, and put a clear coat on when your done painting so the paint dosent chip.
Jul 30 2009 6:00PM
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loveyoursneakers
Posts: 1090 - Karma: 76
Rit-Dye
Jul 30 2009 7:59PM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,385
it's not, don't do it.
Jul 30 2009 8:57PM
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Dr.Dickless
Posts: 2620 - Karma: 1,392
spray paint is made to be easy to use and still look good, they acheive this by putting acids in the paint to eat away dirt and impurities in the thing being painted, but when you put in on helmet plastic it will eat away the soft top coat of the plastic and maybe the whole shell. definately don't use primer(has more acid than regular paint) and buy paint made for plastic from your local auto store, its more expensive but it won't compromise your helmet and it will last longer without scratching
Jul 31 2009 4:06AM
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jib_danboy
Posts: 261 - Karma: 26

ive geard spray paint isnt great for helmets but as long as you use acrylic its BETTER than oil but still not recommended! then again the glue on some types of stickers also compromises the strength of helmets so ... id say go for it just with acrylic paint! post pics up after!!

Jul 31 2009 5:27AM
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*stew
Posts: 488 - Karma: 124
^i painted mine and it didnt eat the plastic or anything but if you dont put a clear coat on in the end the paint will probably start to chip
Jul 31 2009 12:52PM
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[Dawn
Posts: 1718 - Karma: 69
exactly what you need to do. my friend painted his skis with no primer and no clear coat and the paint started to chip off the second run. ha.
Jul 31 2009 2:19PM
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Tripplesixty
Posts: 835 - Karma: 148
some paints dont hold up well in cold or wet weather... Make sure your getting paint that is designed to do both if you want it to last
Jul 31 2009 2:20PM
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