Helmet Resprays

[tactical71]

Does anyone know where I can send my old SPH for a new paint job in Australia, preferably in ACT or NSW?
What sort of money does it cost?

Cheers

Angus

[havick]

Are you after a speci kind of paint job, or just a simple one colour all over type thing? If it's just the simple re-spray (make it look new), a life support fitter mate of mine at one of the squadrons would probably do it for a couple slabs of beer.

[tactical71]

I just want to change it from US Army drab olive green to a nice glossy navy blue colour. Nothing too special, just a nicer colour. Thats all.

I was thinking of taking it to a car spray shop but I would need to strip the helmet down for the painter and then reassemble it, and I dont know whether that would be wise.

Where is your mate? Im in Queanbeyan next to the A.C.T. but I do travel to Sydney fairly frequently.

Cheers

Angus

[LIMIT NOT TARGET]

I can do, have done a few in the past, but I am too busy to do in the next 6 weeks. Regards. Send a pm if you want more info.

[Paradism]

A word of warning when making any changes to helmets, as in afixing stickers, respraying etc. The solvents used in many paints and adhesives can seriously affect the integrity of the helmet material. The end result can be that it will not provide the required protection in the event it is needed.
Best to contact the manufacturer and ask advice. If in doubt, leave it well alone, better to be alive than pretty!
P

[loachboy]

My personal recomendation would be, have a look through Australian Flying magazine or something similar. There use to be a bloke that would do resprays.
Mind you if you are ahandy type of person, you could always pull it apart yourself, and hand the shell to aa spray painter.
My two bobs worth.
Loachster
:\

[WLM]

Try Alex on 0412164958 or Peter Mc Lean on 03 57972159
Cheers
WLM

[tactical71]

Thanks. Will give them a call and see.

Cheers

Angus

[Heli-Ice]

Paradism

This one is from the movie Marlboro man:

"It's better to be dead and cool than alive and uncool!" :cool:

[Whirlygig]

Auntie Whirls has her sensible helmet on and says Paradism is correct. :}

However, given that Auntie Whirls has never been to pretty, perhaps I'll accept Heli-Ice'sversion! :D And I'll stick me bunny ears on! :ok:

Cheers

Whirls

[tactical71]

I agree. Better off looking cool for the Coroner than uncool for the nurses and doctors.
Thanks
Angus

[B Sousa]

If its not looking good with chips etc, you can do it yourself. If your as good as I am you dont want to try it..
Save some money, get some reflectorized tape, get hold of one of those hotshot Navy guys and they can show you how its done.
Cheap and Easy.

[tactical71]

Cheers mate.

Angus

[25sti]

I just had my Gentex helmet airbrushed by a professional artist from Montreal, Canada. The result is amazing, the pictures don't do it justice. I want to post it here to give him visibility for anyone looking to have their helmet painted. The artist's name is Andrew Thornton and the link for his website is here: Home (http://www.atairbrush.com). Visit this site for contact information and more examples of his work on motorcycles, cars, etc.


http://i.imgur.com/IvqxA89.jpg

[PerAsperaAdAstra]

Yeah trick paint job! I think a flying helmet in a helo are a very good thing, especially if you are operating in the weeds. Interesting to compare motorcycle helmet technology today with flying helmets, I think the bike helmets are streets ahead in shell and liner technology, but I will admit a bike style helmet could be a bit of an overkill in hot weather.:\ I've also heard painting can weaken the shell. Again bikers are advised to replace their helmet after any impact, even after being dropped onto a hard surface, and should be replaced every two years regardless. My company supplies me with a pretty good (I think) helmet, in sober white...I don't think they would be happy if I painted it!:}

[mickjoebill]

I've been investigating car vinyl to cover camera gimbals.
Advantage is that it can be peeled off.
The fitters do precise knife work around exotic cars, but not sure if fiddly bits around helmets would be too fine a task.
Many cool designs available!

Mickjoebill

[John R81]

Motorcycle helmets are streets ahead in safety design and also on price - due to volume and competition. My daily commute inside a lid with built-in Bluetooth communication to radio, pillion, phone, satnav (noise cancelling headphone) sees me paying much less than for an "aviation" specialist lid (i.e. £450 current price).

Also, there are motorcycle lids specifically designed to handle high heat / slower speed airflow combinations. One open-face lid by BMW has a steel mesh panel to aid cooling (see here (https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=bmw+helmet+open+face&tbm=isch&imgil=7H_z7KVyroAVYM%253A%253Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fencrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com%252Fimages%253Fq%253Dtbn%253AANd9GcRup_BWQD R1Ti6aJF1JburLcFWcDlL5xdzPKzAhkEYx1F929uOMAg%253B279%253B242 %253BMXmEjbRvR-NHeM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.helmet-guide.com%25252Fmotorcycle-helmets%25252Fbmw%25252F&source=iu&usg=__7qL4kpSBlMo9CjrERQJbo-9ozOw%3D&sa=X&ei=oCLSU-q3I66W0QX8jYGwDw&ved=0CDIQ9QEwAQ&biw=1210&bih=766#facrc=_&imgrc=7H_z7KVyroAVYM%253A%3BMXmEjbRvR-NHeM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.helmet-guide.com%252Fcentre%252Fuploads%252Fbmw-airflow-helmet.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.helmet-guide.com%252Fmotorcycle-helmets%252Fbmw%252F%3B279%3B242)). I have this and use it in summer and can vouch for its performance.

The suggestion to change the helmet every 2 years is due to compression of the comfort foam lining material through ordinary use of the helmet. The helmet protects you by slowing the rate of deceleration of your brain as you bounce-off something solid. Hence the outer shell must be strong, and the inner must deform during impact so that your head and the outer shell decelerate at different rates. If the foam comfort lining is loose then the efficiency of the helmet is reduced (by the way, the difference between deceleration rates in a collision 'bald v hair' is measurable).

If you want to see what a small gap will do in terms of changing the impact consequences try firing a 12g shotgun correctly and then a second time with a weak contact between stock and shoulder. The bruising from the second shot should recede in 3-5 days.

If you have an impact wearing the helmet then the deformation of the inner (which saved your brain) might not be visible, but it has done its job and will not be as efficient next time. If you drop the helmet you might weaken the outer shell and it might not perform in a later accident.

Shells are made from different material which (no surprise here) react different to thinners in paint. Polycarbonate shells are weakened by cellulose paint / thinner, for example. You can paint them but specialist plastic primers should be used. Polycarbonate is weakened by petrol, and there have in the past been instances in UK where the helmet broke in an accident at the point of attachment of the chin strap, due to repeated exposure of the shell to petrol through the hands of the person after filling-up. Fiberglass shells are not the same, and Kevlar or carbon fibre shells are different again. Be careful to check that the shell type and the paint are compatible. Anyone offering paint service for motorcycle helmets should be competent to advise on paint / shell combinations.

[PerAsperaAdAstra]

Thanks John, very interesting info, I doff my cap..er I mean helmet at you! Yes quite right about the settling helmet lining leading to replacement on bike helmets. I remember many moons ago when I was on contract in RAFO (Sultanate of Oman), we complained about the new PC9M's ejection seat cushions, which for some reason felt not very confortable. Someone suggested sheep skins on the seat, Martin Baker came back swiftly with "that tiny bit of space, could mean the differewnce between just a bruised back, or a few crushed vertibrae...:uhoh:

[chute packer]

This guy is in VIC, but specialises in this sort of thing
Capabilities - Aviation Life Support Equipment from Red Baron ALSE (http://www.redbaronalse.com.au/home/capabilities.html)

[Andy_P]

Motorcycle helmets are streets ahead in safety design and also on price - due to volume and competition. My daily commute inside a lid with built-in Bluetooth communication to radio, pillion, phone, satnav (noise cancelling headphone) sees me paying much less than for an "aviation" specialist lid (i.e. £450 current price).

Also, there are motorcycle lids specifically designed to handle high heat / slower speed airflow combinations. One open-face lid by BMW has a steel mesh panel to aid cooling (see here). I have this and use it in summer and can vouch for its performance.

The suggestion to change the helmet every 2 years is due to compression of the comfort foam lining material through ordinary use of the helmet. The helmet protects you by slowing the rate of deceleration of your brain as you bounce-off something solid. Hence the outer shell must be strong, and the inner must deform during impact so that your head and the outer shell decelerate at different rates. If the foam comfort lining is loose then the efficiency of the helmet is reduced (by the way, the difference between deceleration rates in a collision 'bald v hair' is measurable).

If you want to see what a small gap will do in terms of changing the impact consequences try firing a 12g shotgun correctly and then a second time with a weak contact between stock and shoulder. The bruising from the second shot should recede in 3-5 days.

If you have an impact wearing the helmet then the deformation of the inner (which saved your brain) might not be visible, but it has done its job and will not be as efficient next time. If you drop the helmet you might weaken the outer shell and it might not perform in a later accident.

Shells are made from different material which (no surprise here) react different to thinners in paint. Polycarbonate shells are weakened by cellulose paint / thinner, for example. You can paint them but specialist plastic primers should be used. Polycarbonate is weakened by petrol, and there have in the past been instances in UK where the helmet broke in an accident at the point of attachment of the chin strap, due to repeated exposure of the shell to petrol through the hands of the person after filling-up. Fiberglass shells are not the same, and Kevlar or carbon fibre shells are different again. Be careful to check that the shell type and the paint are compatible. Anyone offering paint service for motorcycle helmets should be competent to advise on paint / shell combinations.

As a fellow motorcyclist I concur.

FWIW, there was a recent incident in Victoria Aus where a motorcyclist was fined for having a gopro mount stuck to his helmet. Apparently it was an unapproved attachment that could risk the integrity of the helmet. The premise being the glue could affect the resins. Total bull**** and just a way for the cops to justify them not being filmed. But, there is truth in solvents in paint reacting with some of the resins used.

BTW, I am one of those who replace my helmet every 2 years or so. I have a touring helmet, and commuting helmet. The commuting helmet gets used every week day, and its the one that gets replaced. My touring helmet does not get a lot of use, and you can tell the difference every time you put it one, much firmer fit. Both are the same brand.

[John Eacott]

As a fellow motorcyclist I concur.

FWIW, there was a recent incident in Victoria Aus where a motorcyclist was fined for having a gopro mount stuck to his helmet. Apparently it was an unapproved attachment that could risk the integrity of the helmet. The premise being the glue could affect the resins. Total bull**** and just a way for the cops to justify them not being filmed. But, there is truth in solvents in paint reacting with some of the resins used.

Andy,

At the risk of going OT, the issue in Victoria was a particular sergeant at a particular station with a hard on for motorcyclists supporting his constables. Two tickets have been issued for helmet mounted cameras with no prosecution to date, even the instructors at Dawson Street have helmet cameras on their private helmets! The tickets were made against the rider having modified the helmet, ie having a protrusion >6mm which is against the helmet AS/NZS1698 which is currently under review since no State legislation in Australia supports a helmet certified to the national standard!

Nothing to do with glue, resin, solvents or anything sensible. Yes, I'm involved as an executive of the Victorian Motorcycle Council ;)

[John R81]

Good on you, John:D:D:D

Too few people are willing to get involved

[blakmax]

Guys, I'm with Paradism on this one. I have been personally associated (but not directly involved) with an investigation into the failure of a police motorcycle rider's helmet when it impacted a concrete gutter and resulted in the subsequent demise of said officer. I have seen three-point bend tests where the virgin helmet material was stressed without failure and then a few drops of a common cleaning solvent were applied and failure was almost instantaneous. Evidently the officer was cleaning his helmet with that solvent on a regular basis.

I wonder how many readers ride motorcycles and clean their helmets with solvent?

I would want to see strong test evidence to show a reasonable outcome before I re-painted something on which my life could depend.

Regards

Blakmax

[misterbonkers]

I have also heard that you should not put stickers on you helmet (motorcycle or flying etc) for two reasons;

A) the shell is designed to dissipate the impact shockwave around your head - stickers can interfere with the propagation

B) the glue can effect the shell.

[John Eacott]

My bike helmet (BMW) is quite specific in prohibiting cleaning the shell with petrol or with solvents, only clean with mild soapy water. Alcohol based cleaners may be used. Painting only with manufacturer's approved paints, no mention of stickers which is not unexpected since government compliance stickers have to be attached. BMW recommend a 5 year life.

Unfortunately the paucity of information from Helmets Ltd on the Alpha 900 precludes any real knowledge of what to do and not to do :confused: The only instruction that I have is a photocopy of a page that highlights that the fitting pads must be stuck on the inside of the blue coolmax liner and not to the inside of the helmet shell. Obviously a reflection on the issue of the adhesive reaction with the shell material, but disappointing that a more comprehensive set of instructions aren't supplied with such an expensive and critical piece of safety equipment :(

[chute packer]

I have 17 yrs experience servicing mostly the 400 series ALPHAs.
Our own manuals derived from the HISL ones, said that to glue velcro on the helmet for NVG packs etc, we were to use ADOS F3, and never F2. F3 is simply a thicker version with much less solvents in it. The reason given was possible softening of the shell if we used the high solvent version.

[vaqueroaero]

I seem to remember that when my Alpha showed up, new in the box, it had a sticker on the outside with Alpha's logo on it, so I assume that maybe stickers on an Alpha are permissible?

[cockney steve]

so I assume that maybe stickers on an Alpha are permissible?

NO! But you CAN assume that the adhesive on the factory-affixed stickers , IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE SHELL MATERIAL.


Really, people, this could save your life (or kill you! )

Some helmet shells are machine moulded out of PolyCarbonate or ABS....They're both plastic, both will look the same, but their reaction, even to something as daft as spray-on furniture polish. could mean they split or shatter with a hard impact. Both plastics react differently to different chemicals......for "solvent" read"lots of commonly used household cleaners and polishes among other stuff" What may be safe on one, can be lethal on another....even sitting your helmet down on an oily hand -wiper could render it useless.

Then you have manually- moulded shells, Polyester or Epoxy resin, reinforced with glass /Carbon-Fibre / Kevlar.
Again, differences are pronounced.

In the latter days of the British motorcycle-industry's heyday, there was a vogue for "cafe--racers"....clip-on handlebars,rearset footrests and a big fibreglass petrol tank held on with a quick-release strap or bungee cords They were OUTLAWED when,in crashes, they disintegrated, tipping anything up to 6 gallons ofpetril across the accident scene.....an alloy tank will dent and leak a bit from the severed feed pipe, but won't form a giant molotov cocktail.

Stay safe! beware of using paint or stickers, the damage will be totally hidden until protection is required.

[John Eacott]

OK, who here is the chemical whiz that can make sense of the contents/composition of Plexus plastic polish (http://www.plexusplasticcleaner.com/pdf/PlexusMSDS2012.pdf) and determine whether any overspray when using it to clean a visor may or may not be harmful to a helmet?

Plexus advocate using it for cleaning motorcycle helmets (http://www.plexusplasticcleaner.com/cycle.html), yet the material safety data sheet (http://www.plexusplasticcleaner.com/pdf/PlexusMSDS2012.pdf)indicates the presence of petroleum distillates and solvent naphtha. This thread has me wondering just what is acceptable and what isn't :hmm: