How to Paint Motorcycle Helmet

Have you ever felt like your helmet was too plain or didn’t stand out enough? We’ve got just the thing for you. Personalize your helmet by painting it according to your taste. A custom-painted helmet painting makes you look cooler.

Finding a helmet with a rare design can be fairly difficult, even with the huge variety of helmet shops and websites out there. But did you know that you could paint your own helmet into your favorite color and an attractive design? This blog will teach you how to paint a motorcycle helmet.

Important Note – Safety Comes First:

First of all, you’ll have to check if there are any laws against painting your helmet. In some locations, it is illegal to paint your helmet. It is so because some types of paints can damage your helmet and might go against your local safety laws.

It is also important to check that the helmet’s manufacturer approves the type of paint that you’re going to use. Some paint solvents can damage the outer shell of your helmet. Make sure you check all the tags, labels, and any other material that comes with the helmet to know what type of paint is suitable for your helmet. You can also contact the manufacturer to ask them what type of paint is safe to use on their helmet.

Also, if the helmet’s outer shell is damaged or cracked, it is recommended that you don’t apply any paint on it since the material could leak into the helmet and damage it. Don’t try to sand the motorcycle helmet’s surface to remove its original paint because that can also damage the helmet and might result in the helmet providing less protection.

5 Reasons why painting your helmet is a good idea:

1) Refurbishing an Old Helmet:

If you’ve got an old helmet that you want to give a new touch, you can paint it yourself instead of spending money on a new helmet. Having a helmet with scratched paint can make a motorcycle rider look less stylish. However, you’ll have to ensure you don’t have any cracks or damage on the helmet’s outer shell.

2) Matching paint with your motorcycle:

Repainting your helmet to make it resemble and match the color scheme of your motorcycle is also an excellent way to make yourself look more dashing.

3) Stylish Appearance:

A new paint job on your helmet will make you stand out and look cooler. What else do we riders want besides standing out on the road with our extraordinary bike and a flashy helmet? And the best way to make your helmet more attractive is to apply a custom paint job if your helmet isn’t flashy enough already.

If you’re looking for helmets that already look stylish, then check our list of some of the best supermoto helmets. These helmets have an incredibly attractive design and they excel at providing protection in any type of terrain.

4) More Attractive:

A painted helmet looks incredibly attractive. You can also put a couple of stickers to make it stand out even more. If you want people to keep their eyes on you while you’re on the road, then a custom paint job for your helmet is exactly the thing you need.

5) Current paint is not good looking:

It is possible that the helmet’s paint isn’t what you like, or maybe the helmet doesn’t look as good as it did when you bought it. You can easily repaint the helmet by following this guide and making it look however you want.

Ironically, if you want to try something plainer or less flashy but unique, you should get yourself a German-style motorcycle helmet. Luckily, we’ve put together a list of some of the best German motorcycle helmets out there, so you have a look at them and see if they’re up to your taste or not.

Which Paint is Best for Motorcycle Helmets:

Plastidip:

You might’ve heard of this. Plastidip is a type of rubber-based spray paint. Plastidip is very easy to use, and you can paint the entire helmet’s surface with this. But, this type of paint spray can damage your helmet’s base material.

Vinyl Wrapping:

Vinyl Wrapping is a type of color sticker that can cover the whole helmet. It is slightly difficult to use because helmets don’t have a smooth surface. You’ll need a bit of practice to do it properly or maybe get some help from professional painting services.

Water-based Acrylic Paint:

This type of paint can make your helmet water-resistant after drying up. All you have to do is mix the acrylic paint with some water and paint it like you’d paint anything else over the old paint of your helmet. It does require slightly more work than just using a professional spray gun but it doesn’t damage your helmet and looks attractive as well.

What Material & Tools You’ll Need to Paint Your Helmet:

The following materials can be bought from any hardware store. You might have to visit the local paint supplier to get the desired paint.

1. Paint:

You can’t paint motorcycle helmets if you don’t have any paint. The type of paint depends on you and the type of helmet you’ll personalize. Ensure the paint you have won’t damage the helmet, and you have enough paint to apply to the entire thing.

2. Spray Gun/ Airbrush:

A spray gun or an air brush will easily help you paint the entire helmet. If you’re going to use water paint, you can also use regular paintbrushes.

3. Masking Tape:

Masking tape will help you make sure the paint splash doesn’t reach anywhere you don’t want it to. For example, the helmet’s inner lining, or if you’re going for a custom design, you can also use the masking tape for that.

4. Grease and Wax Remover:

Wax or Grease remover will allow you to make the helmet clean so that it can be painted smoothly. You can also use a guide coat to help you paint more efficiently.

5. Clear Coat:

Clear coat is the final coating that protects the finished product and gives it a glossy and attractive look.

6. Polisher:

Using a polisher will help you remove the existing paint, and dirt, while also smoothing out all the surface of the helmet.

7. Gloves:

You should also wear latex gloves and a mask for safety reasons. Make sure the place where you decide to paint your helmet is clean and dust-free since the paint splashes will stick to anything it falls upon.

Helmet Painting 101

Now that we have all the materials we need let’s get started. Make sure you have a reference picture at hand so that you know what the end result would look like. Also, if you want to personalize a newly bought helmet, we recommend that you get a plain-looking one since that would be easier to paint.

Disassembling:

First of all, we’re going to disassemble the entire helmet. You’ll have to take apart the visor, strap, and all the screws because we’re not going to paint those things. You should also remove the inner lining of the helmet. If the lining isn’t removable, make sure you cover it up adequately so the paint can’t damage it.

Clearing the Helmet:

The next step is to clean the helmet thoroughly. Ensure there are no dust particles, stickers, or anything else on the helmet. You can use a basic cleaning detergent or wax remover to ensure that the helmet is clean enough for fresh paint. You can also use a wet rag to wipe off all the dust.

Masking:

Masking is necessary because we don’t want to paint the whole helmet in a single color. You can mask the places where you don’t want the paint to reach. The masking tape will help you avoid paint splash into unnecessary places and is quite effective when you’re using multiple color paints for your helmet.

Applying Paint:

In this step, we’re going to apply the paint. If you’re using a spray can, shake it well before using it. Make sure you wait for the paint’s layer to completely dry before applying the second layer of paint. A hair dryer can help you dry the paint quicker.

You can also apply a primer undercoat before painting since that will make the paint last for a long time. Remember to apply the base paint first before designing the rest of the helmet’s graphics.

Applying Clear Coat:

Once you’ve applied all the paint, you should apply the clear coat to give your helmet a shiny surface. A clear coat will also protect the paint and make it last a good many years. Shake the clear coat spray can thoroughly before applying it. You’ll have to apply the clear coat layers a couple of times after each layer dries up for an even coat.

Unmasking & Reassembling:

After you’re done painting and applying the finishing coat, remove the masking tape gently so the paint doesn’t come off with the tape. You’ll have to put together all the parts you disassembled earlier. Once you’ve done that, you’ll have a completely new and personalized helmet that’s ready for you to put on and go out riding your motorcycle.

Conclusion:

Painting helmets is easy once you’ve got the hang of it, but for the first few times, you’ll have to expect some mishaps. Make sure you follow the guide thoroughly, and you’ll most likely reach the perfect result. Don’t touch the painted surface or any wet paint without gloves, and always wear a mask while painting to protect yourself.

Recommended Reading

• How To Customize Motorcycle Helmet
• How To Maintain Hairstyle While Wearing A Helmet

Frequently Asked Questions