General Cycling Discussion - Anyone ever painted a helmet?

I'm thinking about doing it. On a ride this morning a magpie decided to have a crack at me. Now while this has been known to happen in Australia, it's currently six months or so out of season. This comes after a run of magpie attacks at the end of the last season (basically since I bought this helmet). There have been suggestions that the yellow and black combination is what's attracting them, in which case, I'd like to change it without shelling out for a new helmet (because I really don't need a new one just yet).

On the other hand, this morning's attack happened in Robina, which is a s**thole at the best of times, particularly when the temperature is around 41 C, so maybe the magpie could be excused in this case!

These magpies of yours! I picture them on street corners smoking, tripping elderly people as they walk by, nudging each other and snickering when they see a hapless cyclist approaching...

I never thought about painting a helmet. Cool! Mine is a drab black-and-blue Trek with the ever-conspicuous logo. Maybe some reflective paint artistically applied would be a nice change.

If you painted your helmet in lighter shades, do you think it would be more comfortable in the heat? You might explore that possibility. :D

I'm thinking about doing it. On a ride this morning a magpie decided to have a crack at me. Now while this has been known to happen in Australia, it's currently six months or so out of season. This comes after a run of magpie attacks at the end of the last season (basically since I bought this helmet). There have been suggestions that the yellow and black combination is what's attracting them, in which case, I'd like to change it without shelling out for a new helmet (because I really don't need a new one just yet).

On the other hand, this morning's attack happened in Robina, which is a s**thole at the best of times, particularly when the temperature is around 41 C, so maybe the magpie could be excused in this case!

I have read on the helmet's warranty statement that painting the hardcase(plastic) would void the warranty of the helmet. I also read it is not advisable because it(non compatible paint) might damage the foam layer..

I really don't know if paint would damage it.. maybe its possible that it would damage the binding between the plastic and the foam.. But I have never tried it..

While its true that the paint could attack the plastic, I think it would be worth giving it a try. If I were to attempt such a project I would experiment on an old helmet(expendable). First off, I would use 400 grit wet/dry sand paper to give the surface to be painted a "tooth". This is so it will hold the new paint. After sanding, blow the whole thing clean with compressed air. Although it would be a pain in the butt, I would mask any exposed foam with painters tape. The styrofoam used in helmets may not be to paint friendly, therefor no paint, no problem. Next, apply a coat of sandable primer. This will help insure that the offending color does not shine through. Using 400 grit or finer sand paper, sand the primer and get it good and clean, apply your color of choice. I would finish it off with a coat or two of gloss clear coat. This will help deepen the finish and protect the color. Finaly, remove the painters tape and leave the paint cure for a couple of days and you should be good to go.

Best of luck

Jim

Chris,

Where did you get this silly idea from? Go and buy a new helment or try tying a bandana or something on the yellow yoke you are using.

The plastic in helmets is once off stuff. Stickers or paint can damage the structure of the material.

Hell, one spends thousands for their ar$e and then bemoans the few pennies for their head.

Clever.

Have a nice weekend

I am still wearing my old giro with the removable elastic covers.

Many years ago I used spray paint to paint part of a helmet. It didn't turn out bad, at least it looked ok from more than 3 feet away.

It was a Gyro helmet. I remember removing the band of tape that holds the shell to the foam and removing the shell before I painted it.

just cover yer helmet in masking tape... you can paint it.. but it might get messy around the foam.. especially when the foam sqishes.. the paint will probably crack. if you do paint it go for a paint that stains more than just sits on top.. NO ACRYLIC!

Chris,

Where did you get this silly idea from? Go and buy a new helment or try tying a bandana or something on the yellow yoke you are using.

The plastic in helmets is once off stuff. Stickers or paint can damage the structure of the material.

Hell, one spends thousands for their ar$e and then bemoans the few pennies for their head.


Good point. Most of the replies seem to indicate that there is a chance paint might damage the plastic -- in which case it's not really a risk I want to take. Perhaps I'm better off just spending another $90 or whatever this one cost.

Don't paint it, attach fishing rods, twigs and other wobbling long devices to ward off the demons!

Many years ago, walking to the bus stop when going to school I carried a tree-branch with shiny bits on the end for distracting "The Magpies" (tm). I was unfortunately too eager swinging it around and whacked one good for at least a six. Being the sucker I am, I had to make sure it was OK and took it to a bird resue facility. I'm sure in the following months it was after me on a personal vendetta.

Magpies! Who would have ever thunk it in the tamed and secure USA. We have no wild beasts roaming in great numbers, wishing to attack us. I think it's safe for me to imagine that the Crocodile Dundee charactature, is seeming more real to a number of us. Chris, you haven't told us about your boa constrictor wrestling. No doubt, because it's no big deal, and you don't have to do it on a daily basis!

I'm sorry I'm clueless here, but what the heck is a Magpie? I'm guessing it's like an ostrich?!?!? LOL

I'm sorry I'm clueless here, but what the heck is a Magpie? I'm guessing it's like an ostrich?!?!? LOL

A black and white bird, about 3/4 the size of a raven, that, during the breeding season can become quite aggressive, at times actually attacking the head of anyone who comes near it's nest. Tends to have a special vendetta against bike helmets, particularly (as I'm discovering six months outside the breeding season) those painted yellow and black.

Magpies! Who would have ever thunk it in the tamed and secure USA. We have no wild beasts roaming in great numbers, wishing to attack us. I think it's safe for me to imagine that the Crocodile Dundee charactature, is seeming more real to a number of us. Chris, you haven't told us about your boa constrictor wrestling. No doubt, because it's no big deal, and you don't have to do it on a daily basis!

Just watch out for those possums if you're ever camping out here. They're pretty determined to steal your food, and have no fear of entering your tent to do it.

Chris, That is a funny looking possum. I have come to learn that here in the southeast US possum's aren't feared, they're stewed.

The Possum Cookbook (http://www.tngenweb.org/tntable/possum.htm)

Dave

Troy Lee Designs used to custom airbrush helmets, I imagine their website might have some info.

If you do paint your lid, I think you will need to be careful about what type of paint you use - I think you'd probably want to use acrylic paint, something w/out much in the way of solvents.

Post some pictures if you do it.

Jonny

I have read a lot about painting plastic computer parts. Generally vinyl die is what is best to use. It comes like spray paint and partially absorbs into plastic rather than just sitting on top and if done properly it wont flake off. It is frequently used for cars, so an auto place might be your best bet.

Chris, That is a funny looking possum. I have come to learn that here in the southeast US possum's aren't feared, they're stewed.

They're a protected species out here.

Chris, That is a funny looking possum. I have come to learn that here in the southeast US possum's aren't feared, they're stewed. Dave

We've got the US version here in urban Portland. You've gotta bring your pet food in at night or the 'possums and racoons will become regular visitors in your yard...

BTW, the American version of this mammal is correctly called an opossum...

I have read a lot about painting plastic computer parts. Generally vinyl die is what is best to use. It comes like spray paint and partially absorbs into plastic rather than just sitting on top and if done properly it wont flake off. It is frequently used for cars, so an auto place might be your best bet.
well, IF you decide to paint it, i think you need to do your homework and find the right paint, because the 2 problems are:
1) paint damaging the helmet
2) "normal" paint will crack and look crappy

back in college someone gave me a motorcycle helmet (i already had a few). it was some nasty 70's color so i created a design - red and black - and masked and painted it. it looked REALLY good for about a week and then the paint started to fade and chip a little... and this was one of the fiberglass/hard plastic helmets or whatever so it was easy to sand and all --- most of the bike helmets have vents and so are not a flat surface so easy to sand or for the paint to stick well.

as bg4533 said, you need some kind of paint especially for lightweight platic.

for my motorcycle helmet it was ok to paint as the crappy paint job looked better than it had before... and with the thick hardshell of the helmet i think it was less likely to damage it (the paint never got close to the padding inside)

I am still wearing my old giro with the removable elastic covers.

I still have mine.. I think its the Giro hammerhead, it had lycra cover..

But i don't use it anymore.. its more of just a decoration now..