Cheesy attempt at helmet graphics

[Rick65Cat]

I originally wanted to go vinyl graphics but the shop told me there was too much curvature to the helmet. They suggested "air brush painting." I thought, "Ok"....til I found out how much the guy wanted..Like $400!!! I went back to the vinyl shop and for $23 ordered three (in case I buggered up the first 2) 6 inch "meatballs" and a dozen "sun rays"
I know theres wrinkles, but I can buy a whole load of "Suns" for $400.

[apogeecustom]

No body will see the wrinkles as you blur by! Looks good!

[Turtleface]

Yeah, most custom helmet paint jobs are stupidly pricey. Only way I'd do it is if I befriended an artist. Or, just maybe, there might be a college close to you with an art department? I'd give that a shot, offer the helmet for a student assignment. Schools are good places to get work cheap, just be aware that they ARE learning, so it might not be absolutely perfect.



Scorpion EXO offers this in their 700 series. I've been pretty happy with my 400 series, and the 700 is supposed to be a bit better. Not bad for less than 200 bucks, at Bike Bandit. It's not quite the same as what you're going for, but if you're helmet is around 2-3 years old, it's probably a good idea to pick up a new one anyways.

[Rick65Cat]

This helmet is brand new. An HJC CL-16. Purposely bought plain white to do a "Rising sun". I know it looks cheesy in a "Top Gun" kinda way, but hey...whatever floats my boat.
I doubt any school kid coulda done any worse than me lol.

[Turtleface]

This helmet is brand new. An HJC CL-16. Purposely bought plain white to do a "Rising sun". I know it looks cheesy in a "Top Gun" kinda way, but hey...whatever floats my boat.
I doubt any school kid coulda done any worse than me lol.

It looks pretty good. As it was said before, no one will notice the flaws when you zip past them!

[504-Ranger]

what i do when im laying decals, is to wait till the stickers are in the right spot before trimming, also some water and soap will get it right so no bumps...looks good though!!!

[fat_sac]

I have that red n white 700. I've crashed 3 times in it and you can't even tell except for the chip on the very back where the back of my head hit the concrete during a high side. I can say that the Scorpion is worth its weight. Comfortable and durable. My girl has an Icon that she took perfect care of and is only a year old thats completely falling apart.

That being said, its 3 years old and probably needs replacing, but worth every penny!

[sk843143]

in this case a heat gun and soapy water is your friend.....

[ukilme]

If you are going for the looks good at feet doing 50, it will work great. And if you like it then that is what counts.


$400 sounds like a lot money for 'something simple' but then there is a lot of prep work you don't see namely taping it can a bitch to tape straight lines of curved surfaces.

[fat_sac]

400 for that does seem quite hi. If you were closer I'd do it for materials. I couldn't see the liquid price being any higher than about 20$. Then its just tape, and some fine line tape would make that a snap.

[j.w.napier]

do that bad

it doesn't look that bad i really like the look of it. i'd try the heat gun or hair dryer, and if you don't get the look you want then see what a body shop might do it for? just an ideal for ya.
J.W. Napier

[Zooks]

You've also got to remember that certain types of paint can render the shell of your helmet almost useless in a major crash. The solvents can weaken the structure substantially.

Not the sort of thing you want to get wrong.

[Turtleface]

You've also got to remember that certain types of paint can render the shell of your helmet almost useless in a major crash. The solvents can weaken the structure substantially.

Not the sort of thing you want to get wrong.

Good point. The foam shell (underneath the exterior plastics/carbon fiber/whatever your helmet skin is made of) is very similar to styrofoam. Solvents can turn it into a mushy, non-protective mess. Which is bad, because that's the only thing protecting your melon.

[ukilme]

Good point. The foam shell (underneath the exterior plastics/carbon fiber/whatever your helmet skin is made of) is very similar to styrofoam. Solvents can turn it into a mushy, non-protective mess. Which is bad, because that's the only thing protecting your melon.

And this is why there is more to it then just painting the helmet. There is a lot of prep to make sure that does not happen. For example, blocking all the vent holes, taping up the inside and/or removing the lining and then taping it.

[mills]

My lid, had a local guy airbrush it. $80, close to what I wanted, but not quite.