Repainting motorcycle helmet?

[TOTO]

Can a motorcycle helmet be painted with the same paint that will be used to paint the motorcycle itself ? We are talking about painting by a car painter, not a spray can from the hardware shop.

Any information backed by facts will be much appreciated.

[p.dath]

A very contentious subject.

You need to be very carefull because a lot of paint solvents, and the fumes that paint gives of, can damage the polystyrene in your helmet that is used to absorb the energy of an impact - rather than your head.
And the problem is you can't tell from a simple visual inspection.

[vifferman]

I don't think it's that contentious. Many motorcycle racers have helemts repainted to their team colours, and it seems that the manufacturers themselves provide spare brand stickers (Arai, Shoei, etc) seemingly for this purpose.
Yes, the solvents in lacquer-based paints are ketones, which are no good for polystyrene, but there are other (e.g., acrylic) automotive paints that can be used instead, or the shell can be removed or adequately protected if necessary. However (but!) it's probably better for safety's sake to leave it alone.

[CookMySock]

Any paint that doesnt have a damaging solvent base should be ok. Do the sniff test. You don't want any part of the helmet softened by solvents.

You won't get "facts" off the Internet. Thats not the way the Internet works. You have make your own mind up. You might ask the manufacturer, but you already know they are going to tell you "dont touch it".

You need a chemist and structural engineer friend, and a photospectrometer to go through every single part of the helmet and analyse what it's reaction will be to the solvent you are using - then you will have the facts, except, there will be another chemist somewhere who disagrees with you..

edit: anyway it hardly matters, coz if you belt your head really hard on something you're fucked anyway.

Steve

[TygerTung]

I believe that you can paint it if it is a fibreglass shell, but you cannot if it is a plastic shell.

[DEATH_INC.]

I believe that you can paint it if it is a fibreglass shell, but you cannot if it is a plastic shell.

Yep, that's pretty good advice. Carbon of course is ok too.

[TOTO]

I believe that you can paint it if it is a fibreglass shell, but you cannot if it is a plastic shell.

Yep, that's pretty good advice. Carbon of course is ok too.

cool, thanks for that guys.

[chef]

i was looking to put some grafics on my helmet (one in avatar) where could i get that done?

[breakaway]

What helmet is that chef?

[chef]

What helmet is that chef?

simpson bandit fighter

[EJK]

i was looking to put some grafics on my helmet (one in avatar) where could i get that done?

[Zerker]

awesome..... I want one

[Pixie]

Any paint that doesnt have a damaging solvent base should be ok. Do the sniff test. You don't want any part of the helmet softened by solvents.

Sniff - very scientific.

Polycarbonate helmets are painted by the manufacturer with water based paints.