Thread: Chrome Helmet Paint??

Hey guys, does anyone know who makes paint in the colours in the helmet pictures attached. (Chrome blue and silver)

Thanks
Adrian

First understand that this is an extremely difficult helmet design to paint. Not because it requires detail work but because of the paint that you would use is a PITA. Keep in mind also that all redbull helmets that I have seen are decals, they look like paint but they aren't.

There are a couple ways that this can be done. I just so happen to have a shoei x-11 that I am going to paint this scheme on as soon as i finish some of my current jobs. This is how I am gonna do it:

Day 1
1. Take the helmet apart.
2. Sand the helmet with 120grit.
3. Shoot the primer (black), let it dry overnight

Day 2
1. Sand the primer down start with 220 up to 600 grit
2. Shoot primer sealer (black) let it dry for 30 min then wet sand with 1500 grit
3. Shoot the Black base coat, tack cloth it. let it flash
4. Shoot the clear coat (2 layers)

Day 3-4
1. Let the clearcoat harden. Manufacturers recommend to let the clear coat dry for at least 1-2 weeks. I use a super productive clear so 48hrs is going to be plenty of time.

Day 5
1. The most important step!!! The clearcoat has to be completely free of any defects and you cant scratch it during the sanding/scuffing process so shooting the clear in the first place is super important. The final surface has to be a buffed polished surface. The "chrome" paint magnifies any defect in the sub-layers so when you scuff up the clearcoat you have to be especially careful
2. shoot the chrome paint. Chrome paint is really only micro-milled pieces of metal that are acting like a mirror. All manufacturers recommend that you shoot it very slowly and mist it on. You do not shoot it like regular paint.
3. Do not touch the chrome paint. Shoot a clear coat layer over the top it.

Day 6-7
1.when you clear has hardened, scuff it up to prepare for the detail work. Alsacorp.com has a blue chrome but it is pretty much just a candy color mixed in with the chrome paint. I shot a regular candy red over the chrome paint once and it looks hot, I personally don't think there is a need to spend another $75 for the blue chrome.

2. Tape off the helmet for the designs that you want to create and shoot.
3. Use an exacto on your tape edges so you don't screw up your edges. Remove your tape.
4. Clearcoat and voila
5. When it dries sand with 1500grit and buff

There are many ways to skin this cat. I have found that this way is the most cost effective.

Or you could find the factory helmet for a couple hundred dollas like my perspective customers do when I tell them it is going to take me 3-4 weeks and it is going to cost them $500.00-$600.00

I'll have a thread with pics up soon after I finish a couple bikes and a couple long overdue hulk helmets.

Hope this helps!

Oz

your a trooper! thanks m8, this helps soo much!

to get the blue chrome is that just the candy by ALSA that goes over top of the clear coated chrome?

Thanks so much m8.

no problem,

If I were you I would just use a blue candy not the blue mirrorchrome. with the blue candy it will be 1/2 the work, cost less and you'll get better a better finish and edges.

If you want the long answer why:

1. The Candy will allow you to lighten or darken the color to get the match for the redbull blue, the mirrorchrome is something that is already mixed up and ready to go so I personally wouldn't mess with it. I'm guessing the tech guys at Alsa would probably agree.

2. To spray the candy you will have to only scuff up the clear coat, tape off the design, shoot it (slowly and evenly), pull the tape touch-up/sand away any overspray then clear it. The mirrorchrome will require the scuff, tape off, base black, clear coat, full clear polish, retape to match the black base over the mirrorchrome, shoot the blue mirrorchrome, pull the tape without creating any jagged edges because you can't do any touchup (impossible), then clearcoat again. If you were going to pinstripe the edges then it would maybe look ok but that isn't what the redbull design looks like anyway.

I'd go with just the blue candy FTW.

I would make sure to give the tech guys at alsa a call too. They are really helpful and they are more interested in selling you the right product not necessarily the one that will make them more money. Good customer service, just a little on the spendy side!

If you have anymore questions feel free to ask. I'm just a noob here but, there are a lot of incredibly talented peeps here with mucho talento that are always willing to help out

Oz

thanks again m8, ha you sure dont sound like a noob...

cant wait to see the pics you post.

Adrian