The motorcycle helmet is the basic equipment for a motorcyclist. It must be used as a means of protection in the event of road accidents, but also to display its style and reflect its character. Repainting your motorcycle helmet is an elegant way to customize your equipment and display your artistic abilities. In this mini guide we will learn a little more about the subject.
Executive Summary
1-What paint should I use to paint my motorcycle helmet?
2-How to repaint a motorcycle helmet?
3-How much does it cost to paint a motorcycle helmet?
4-Practical advice
1-What paint should I use to paint my motorcycle helmet?
Use good quality paints that do not risk altering the outer surface of the hull and also comply with the manufacturer’s safety standards.
Preferably choose water-based acrylic paints with special polyurethane paints that are more resistant to gravel damage and UV rays.
It is also possible to use car body paints, but care must be taken to ensure that they are suitable for use on plastic materials and without solvents. The most important thing is to avoid paints containing lead that prevent X-rays of the x-ray head.
2-How to repaint a motorcycle helmet?
If you choose to do it yourself, you must first prepare the necessary equipment: a paint gun, an air compressor, a sander, a stand on which you will put the helmet, and the different paint ingredients.
First remove the helmet to remove the protective foams and the visor to keep only the shell. Then hide the housing of the visor and seal the ventilation holes with masking paper.
Put the helmet on the stand, sand lightly and apply a coat of primer to the hull. Then, do a second sanding to smooth the surface of the hull and facilitate the grip. Apply a base coat with the paint prepared according to the chosen colour. Then apply a coat of varnish and sand again with a polish.
Repeat the varnish application and polishing until you obtain the desired level of finish.
For the question: is it possible to spray paint a motorcycle helmet? It is important to know that technically it is quite possible, spray painting is an easy and practical way to avoid all the work of preparing the paint and using a spray gun. However, on motorcycle helmets, the spray can does not provide the desired grip or finish, it is practically inadvisable to do so.
3-How much does it cost to paint a motorcycle helmet?
If you plan to repaint your motorcycle helmet with a professional, you should expect a range from 250 to 1200 € or more! In fact, the price varies according to the color and design desired, the more personalized the more the price increases.
A painting with a simple design would cost between 400 to 600 €, while a painting with a custom design with logo or airbrush decoration would cost between 850 to 1200 € including the design price.
If, on the other hand, you want to repaint your helmet yourself, you will certainly have less to spend. For less than 150 € you can have all the necessary paint ingredients and varnish. You will just have to buy equipment that you can rent from specialized stores.
4-Practical advice
- Before to remember to repaint your helmet, ask your dealer if this will not affect the warranty contract, it is possible that the manufacturer will refuse the warranty to helmets that have undergone a transformation such as repainting for example.
- Comply with the standards and guidelines for protecting the hull from solvent infiltration into the interior. This may reduce the effectiveness of protective foams.
- Don’t forget to put the 4 retro-reflective stickers back on the helmet after painting. Otherwise, expect a fine of 135 € and a withdrawal of 4 points from the licence!
