Helmet custom airbrush or plastic wrap?

[ichong88]

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just something to consider, I've been told one of the reasons the motorsports guys have custom painted lids even though the cost is on the moon is vinyl wrap or a plastidip finish provides a layer of friction and heaven forbid your helmet contact pavement will stick for a second and not slide.
Remember the old bicycle helmets with foam and a mesh cover? they stuck for a fraction of a second when they hit the ground and contributed to a lot of neck and head injury, that's why smooth shells became the norm. Not fear mongering, but I wouldn't wrap a lid.

Wow!! that's very interesting/useful information and very good to know....and as someone that has already sustained a recent neck injury, something i rather not endure again. Thanks for the insight.

 

[ichong88]

Painting or wrapping your helmet will nullify the D.O.T. certification. Making the helmet illegal.

I'ver heard this an as long as you don't paint over it or you're ok....I guess the artist has to incorporate that into the design. But ya, a bigger issue for plastic wrap.

 

[ichong88]

What is your budget? Airbrushing is not cheap. I am not a pro and just dabble on my own but can explain why it is pricey. There is a lot of prep work, basecoats then the actual art. The most expensive part is clearcoat. Are u looking for a custom paintjob or just a color change? I recently painted my own bike and paid a bodyshop to clear it. Roughly 50.00$ per coat of clear on a helmet sized piece.

That's a nice paint job on your bike! I would like a custom job, although i do have a couple pics as reference...but yes, i've been told it's expensive and seems sto be out of my budget.

 

[RickT]

Probably easier and cheaper (in the long run) to just buy another helmet with a design that you like. The cost of getting a decent custom paint job will most likely be more than the cost of a helmet. I've run into the same thing with my goalie masks. A custom paint job is more $ than the mask. So, unless there is a design out there that you absolutely want to have (I had a motorcycle helmet in the 80's painted to match Nelson Piquet's) just keep the black helmet.

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