Painting a FAST Helmet

[Hairball]

Could not find a good answer on previous threads or Internet search so I thought I would ask here. Usual paint threads have to do with just changing the color of a helmet, but this is a bit different. I purchased an extra IIIA helmet a few years ago as an extra piece of gear (not terribly expensive, around 500) and just left it in the helmet bag it came in and put it in one of my safes. Towards the end of last year, I took it out to set it up and this is what came out of the bag.

I suppose I got a "Covid" special as the paint prep was not done properly. So after picking at it for a bit, I am now left with this. I guess I can't say it all came off as there is one small spec still stuck on the top

So, the question I have for the painter types out there or the folks that have painted one starting at this stage, what is the best way to do this in hopes that the paint will adhere to the surface. I have found some fiberglass tutorials that go through keying, prep clean, tack cloth, adhesion promoter, and prime/paint. I have also found many that just spray can it but those helmets are never clean like this one. Usually just painting over old paint. I would appreciate any direction on this for a better result that will not just flake off in another year.

 

[Whiskey Tango Foxtrot]

Wow...
I would clean with alcohol scuff or sand, clean again then brush on an epoxy primer or better yet an epoxy resin like west system, sand and rattle can it the color of choice. I've been messin with composites for many years.
P.S. dont get resin in the threaded holes.

 

[Hairball]

Thanks for the reply. I will look into that resin as a possibility and see if I can make it work for this project.

 

[Huskydriver]

Bro away over thinking this just grab some spray paint and go....

 

[Short-bus]

Well you got it all stripped, that's a solid start.

I'm going to describe it as though I were the one painting it, but I paint for a living, so the equipment and materials are readily available to me, so it makes it really, really easy for me to make it sound simple.

Since it's stripped down, water on it isn't going to be a problem, so i'm going to wet sand with 220 grit paper. Dry off, visually check to make sure I hit everything, scotchbrite any areas that were missed, wipe clean. Spray with bulldog adhesion promoter, a bit overkill, but insurance is never a bad idea on a project like that. Prime with a thick coat of high build primer. Let it cure fully for 24hrs, wet sand with that same used piece of 220 grit to smooth out any bumps or runs. If you can still see the glass weave, hit with another coat of high build primer and repeat the sanding until the weave isn't really visible. Apply texture paint (you can find texture paint in a can at the hardware store that will do an adequate job) and then spray the color you want the helmet. If the coats of paint are light, do 2 or 3 of 'em. If you're spraying heavy, one will be fine. Be patient, let the paint cure before you start trying to finger fuck it and put it back together.

Hope that helps a bit.

Branden

 

[Short-bus]

Note to add. If you prime it, and find that it's got some big dents, scrapes, scratches, or otherwise damage from use, use automotive bondo to fill those cracks in, and wet sand smooth.

Don't skip the wet sanding and dry sand, fiberglass in your lungs isn't good, plus you'll go through a crapload of paper trying to sand the thing, and miss everything you needed to hit. Do it wet, and the cuttings wash away, you can see what you're doing, and one small piece of paper that's about 3x4.5" doubled over will do the entire thing for you.

Branden

 

[Hairball]

Thanks for the response. Today I added some adhesion promoter and some primer in my Amazon cart but I held off on ordering until I had this planned out. I have some wet sanding paper, just need to check the grit but I think it’s 400. I was concerned about raising the fibers if I sanded it a bit and ended up with a helmet that felt like a tennis ball. Just need to sand it enough for the adhesion coat and the rest should be easy enough.