Customizing your own look of your helmet is a fun activity to influence your personality and adding a sense of style.
Changing the appearance of your helmet can transform from a normal headgear to an attractive piece of accessory.
Having a customized motorcycle helmet will allow you to use your skills of arts and crafts and change the appearance, however, you want.
To show off your artistic skills, we have detailed guides of how to paint a motorcycle helmet. These guides will help you to design the exterior shell you want to portray for your ride.
Here are the two guides on how to paint a motorcycle helmet. All you have to do is prepare and get all the tools you need for painting a motorcycle helmet.
How to Paint a Motorcycle Helmet: A Complete Method
Method 1: Painting the Helmet Using Spray
This method is the most common customization on how to paint a motorcycle helmet using spray paints.
Riders use spray paints to change the appearance of the helmet for a fun ride.
Using spray paint is a fun tool to spray onto the surface and applying layers of various colors to bring a dramatic riding effect.
The list of materials you need mentioned below:
- Airbrush/ Spray gun
- Stencils (Optional)
- Masking tape
- 400 grit sandpaper
- Abrasive pad
- Primer and flat black quick coat
- Matte spray paints
- Clear coat
- Knife
- Latex gloves
- Helmet holder
- Newspapers
1) Prepare the surface you want to work on and cover the surface with newspapers. Wear a pair of latex gloves and put the helmet holder onto the surface.
2) Start the helmet by removing visors, screws, inner liner, accessories, padding and others. Remove each part of the helmet except the safety standard sticker. Once you have dismantled all the pieces, put the pieces away from the surface. Put them to one side.
3) Clean the exterior of the helmet by using the cleaning detergent to get rid of grease and dust. Use an abrasive pad and clean the surface of the helmet. If your helmet is clean, you can skip this step.
4) Scrape the exterior shell by using 400-grit sandpaper. Gently wet sand the surface of the helmet evenly. For best results, run the sandpaper along the grain but not against it. This helps to achieve even results when applying the spray paint.
Note: Do not over-sand the surface of the helmet, as this would weaken the exterior shell.
5) Then use a wax and grease remover and wipe off any excess dust that may be on the helmet.
6) Use masking tape and tape any parts of the helmet you do not want to paint. Use a knife to cut out any desired shapes and designs. To stuff it inside the helmet, use an old newspaper and scrunch it onto a ball.
7) Begin painting the surface by using a primer. This is the undercoat spray. The primer helps to stay the paint for durations. Apply 2-3 coats of primer and avoid spraying beyond the masking tape as the paint can stain the base. Allow the primer to dry overnight.
8) Then take the painting motorcycle helmet and spray a flat black quick coat. Spray the guide coat lightly and allow drying.
9) Take 400 grit sandpaper and sand the surface until the guide coat disappears. Then soak in a bucket of warm soapy water. Keep sanding until the surface is smooth.
10) Start spraying with the colour of your choice and allow to dry overnight. For best results spray paint those areas where you have not taped the surface. If you want to know more about spray paint using glitter and adding a vintage look, click on this video.
11) Then stencil out the design you want by sketching your desired patterns. Tape the areas you want to paint and spray a different colour. Allow the second colour to dry overnight.
12) Once dried, spray the next colour of the remaining areas and wait for the paint to dry.
12) Remove all of the remaining tapes, apply four layers of clear coat, and allow to dry overnight. The clear coat helps to protect the paint from damage in different conditions.
13) To smooth the surface, use a 1500 grit sandpaper to leave a nice finish.
14) Re-assemble all parts of the helmet and tighten the screws. Your spray painted headgear is ready to ride!
Method 2: How to Paint a Motorcycle Helmet Using Acrylic Paints
Another instruction on how to custom paint a motorcycle helmet works with the use of acrylic paints.
If you are unable to use spray paints, you can use acrylic paints for any custom painted motorcycle helmets. If you have acrylic paints lying around, this is a great way to change the look of your helmet!
This method is easier than with spray paints due to availability and the effort it takes to paint your helmet.
Materials you need:
- Acrylic paints (water-based)
- A pencil
- A marker (optional)
- Paintbrushes
- Masking tape
- 400 grit sandpaper
- Acrylic- based clear coat
To carry out the instructions, follow the steps below:
1) Dismantle the helmet including visors, screws, inner liner, accessories, padding and others. If the helmet has ventilation holes, cover that with thick cardboard paper. Make sure you spread the surface using newspapers to avoid the paint staining onto your clothes.
2) Clean the helmet using soap and water to remove any dirt or other residues. Cover the eye part of the headwear using masking tape. Then cover the inside of the helmet scrunch the newspapers into a ball and toss it underneath the headwear.
3) For a glossy appearance, use 400-grit sandpaper and sand the surface lightly. Then wipe off the exterior with a grease remover to remove the resiudes.
4) Think of the designs you have in mind, use a pencil, and draw them onto your helmet.
5) After you have finished drawing, use the acrylic paint of your choice and begin painting onto your helmet.
6) If you want to add layers or mix colors, wait for the first acrylic paint to dry and paint the next color. This helps to avoid runny paints or the paint covering the designs you have drawn.
7) Once the paint is dry, use a marker and outline the designs of the painted helmet. (Optional)
8) Once your painting process finishes, use an acrylic-based clear coat and spray it onto the whole surface. Allow the clear coat to dry overnight.
9) Reassemble the parts of the helmet and you are ready to ride!
Useful Tips on How to Paint a Motorcycle Helmet
When it comes to how to paint a motorcycle helmet, it is important to follow these tips before you begin painting the helmet. Be sure you check the laws in your area when it comes to customizing your headwear.
In some areas, it is forbidden to change the appearance of your headwear because of legal reasons for head protection. The following tips mentioned below:
– Before you being the process of painting, make sure your workspace covers in newspapers or any thin sheets to avoid any painting products staining onto the surface or your clothes.
– Use the spray products carefully as the spray cans or guns are toxic. These products get into your lungs and damages the living cells. To protect this from happening, wear a mask or cover your mouth and nose with a piece of thick cloth. If you cannot find a thick, cover your mouth with a face mask.
– To prevent the paint staining onto your clothes, wear an old T-shirt or an apron.
– Many people asked what kind of paint to use on motorcycle helmet. When considering the spray paints, read the manufacturers’ instructions carefully before you begin applying.
– When planning to paint your helmet, do consider the material of the exterior shell. The suitable exterior shell to paint your helmet should manufacture in thermoplastic alloy shell or polycarbonate. These two materials accommodate the customized appearance.
– When painting your helmet, look for a helmet that is either matte black or white as these two colours are easier to paint.
– When handling the spray gun, make sure the walls cover in thin sheets or newspapers to prevent paint staining onto the walls.
– When applying multiple layers onto your helmet, wait for the first coat to dry at an ample time. Once the paint is dry, apply the next colour. Do not over-dry the helmet, as this would harden the exterior shell of your headwear.
– To hold the helmet while painting, the stand has to be stable enough to hold and paint your helmet at the same time. To know how to paint a motorcycle helmet is to look for a stable stand.
– When you dismantle your helmet, try to keep the assembling features at one side to avoid any unwanted paint.
– If your helmet covers in dust and dirt, use a mild cleaning detergent and water to clean the surface of your headwear before you begin painting. This helps to make the painting process easier.
Wrap Up
Here are the two methods on how to paint a motorcycle helmet. I hope you will find these methods helpful to customize the appearance of your headwear however, you like! Whether you want to spray or paint with acrylics, each customized helmet will influence your character as a rider.
In this detailed instruction on how to paint a motorcycle helmet will allow you to remain a safe protective gear and adding a customized aesthetic to match your style
So choose one of these guides on how to paint a motorcycle helmet and time to change from a boring plain helmet to a stunning protective gear!
If you want to have the fun of using your artistic skills, grab your tools and start changing the look your helmet!
You can also read how to clean motorcycle helmet and how to stop helmet visor fogging!