Paint on helmets - is acrylic paint safe?

**Steam** · 3rd June 2007, 22:24

I want to paint my helmet white. This is so I can pretend to be a policeman, with a yellow vest and all.
Can I use acrylic paint? Acrylics are water-based, so they should be okay, right? Not attack the plastic of my HJC helmet?

**Mully** · 3rd June 2007, 22:38

Do you still have the manual that came with the lid?? I just went looking for mine to see what it says, and I can't find it.

**Mully** · 3rd June 2007, 22:40

This:
http://www.hjchelmets.com/helmet_care.htm

Says not to paint it.

Personally, I'd guess acrylic would be OK.

**gsxnut** · 3rd June 2007, 22:44

Originally Posted by Steam

I want to paint my helmet white. This is so I can pretend to be a policeman, with a yellow vest and all.
Can I use acrylic paint? Acrylics are water-based, so they should be okay, right? Not attack the plastic of my HJC helmet?

might just be better to get a cheap helmet less risk

**YellowDog** · 4th June 2007, 11:35

A few years ago I painted a tatty helmet ro make look better. I used a water based paint and it looked great. I used it for a couple of months without any problem.Then, whilst putting my bike in the garage, I managed to knock it off the back seat (where I used to rest it) and it shattered into many pieces. May be the helmet was just too old however I am glad I did not find out it would shatter by coming off.

I wouldn't paint another helmet.

**Steam** · 4th June 2007, 11:38

Originally Posted by YellowDog

A few years ago I painted a tatty helmet ro make look better. I used a water based paint and it looked great. I used it for a couple of months without any problem.Then, whilst putting my bike in the garage, I managed to knock it off the back seat (where I used to rest it) and it shattered into many pieces. May be the helmet was just too old however I am glad I did not find out it would shatter by coming off.

I wouldn't paint another helmet.

ooo, that's bad. I guess even a water based paint might not be safe then... thanks and here's some green bling for your story.

**Steam** · 4th June 2007, 11:41

Um, but the professionals paint helmets. They must use some expensive and safe paint... but there must be a cheaper and still safe alternative out there. Hm... i'll do some searching around. I know there are some helmet painters on KB somewhere...