Plasti-dip a helmet?

4drfocus

Rurouni
Joined
Jul 11, 2008
Messages
593
Reaction score
10
Points
0
Location
Oz, or somtimes Japan
Visit site
What are your thoughts coating a helmet in Plasti-dip?

Just bought a new helmet this week, but it's silver, I wanted matte black but it's on backorder for 4 weeks! so I settled for silver, had the creative idea of using Plasti-dip to cover it, painting would require masking off all the rubber trim and interior, with Plasti-dip I just use a knife to cut it and peel it from the trim and vents, plus if I sell the helmet all I have to do is peel off the coating....
 

JKJ-FZ6

Junior Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2012
Messages
19
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Minnesota
Visit site
I wouldn't. Either the Plasti-dip wouldn't bond with the helmet plastic and would flake off and look like crap, or it would chemically bond and possibly weaken the helmet.
 

aclayonb

Junior Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2013
Messages
353
Reaction score
5
Points
0
Location
New Albany, IN
Visit site
You could plastidip it but it wouldn't take much abuse. If you are careful with your helmet you could be fine for a while. I would just get some sandpaper, scuff the current surface, spray-bomb it flat black and cover it with about 8 coats of matte clear.

For that matter, you could have Napa mix you a 1-stage epoxy flat black rattlecan for about $20. No clear needed but you could still put it on if you wanted.:thumbup:
 

Nelly

International Liaison
Elite Member
Joined
Jul 8, 2007
Messages
8,945
Reaction score
125
Points
63
Location
Co Offaly, ROI
Visit site
As already stated, you need to be very cautious with using adhesives on your helmet.
Polycarbonate and modular helmets may be structurally compromised. Fiberglas can be repainted but should really be done by a helmet specialist.
If in doubt check with your helmet manufacturer what is acceptable.
Personally I wouldn't feel comfortable modifying such an important piece of safety equipment.
Let us know how you get on?

Nelly:thumbup:
 

lawlberg

Booth Babe
Joined
Aug 13, 2012
Messages
907
Reaction score
11
Points
18
Location
Sydney, Australia
Visit site
I wouldn't. Either the Plasti-dip wouldn't bond with the helmet plastic and would flake off and look like crap, or it would chemically bond and possibly weaken the helmet.

Actually. Both points are wrong here_

Plastidip is a mechanical bond, not chemical, so it wouldn't damage the helmet at all, and because it is a mechanical bond it doesn't need a rough surface to adhere to, would be fine.

I think you'd be fine with plasti dip on the helmet.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
 

Botch

I.Y.A.A.Y.A.S!!
Elite Member
Joined
Jun 26, 2007
Messages
3,946
Reaction score
44
Points
0
Location
Ogden UT
Visit site
I think that would add a noticable amount of weight; however, since you can peel it right off I see no harm in trying it.
 

FinalImpact

2 Da Street, Knobs R Gone
Site Supporter
Joined
Mar 16, 2011
Messages
11,137
Reaction score
184
Points
63
Location
USA, OR
Visit site
My Icon helmet has at least 4 colors and lord knows how many actual layers of paint. Its pretty thick. Something that flashes off as fast as plasti-dip is not likely to leach through all of the hardened coatings on the shell.

Finishes that fail are usually the result of not prepping. Grease and bug splatter come to mind. Wash with soap and water several times, wipe with Prep-sol (automotive cleaning solvent that removes silicone) mask off vents and squirt it....

Its not my thing but I see no harm coming from it. Its not like you have a raw shell and soaked it in acetone for 3hrs... perhaps in 7 years it might leach into the 3rd layer of paint but wtf cares.... jmo
 

FinalImpact

2 Da Street, Knobs R Gone
Site Supporter
Joined
Mar 16, 2011
Messages
11,137
Reaction score
184
Points
63
Location
USA, OR
Visit site
I think that would add a noticable amount of weight; however, since you can peel it right off I see no harm in trying it.

And this compares to a GoPro sticking up 5" in what way? Haha... I'm sure modular helmet weighs more than 1/2 can of rubber. 1/2 of which will stick to something other than the brain bucket! Just sayin. . .


LOL post is from 3+ months ago....
 
Last edited:

4drfocus

Rurouni
Joined
Jul 11, 2008
Messages
593
Reaction score
10
Points
0
Location
Oz, or somtimes Japan
Visit site
WOW zombie thread :spank:

Some info for you guys, yes you can Plasti-dip a helmet safely with out harm to it, it does NOT create a chemical bond like paint, it mechanical, it shrinks as it dries, when dry its flexible like a Nitrile glove, so it won't flake off like spray paint, if it comes off with out forcefully pelling it then you prepped the surface poorly, I've coated numerous items with success, I even coated my bi-xenon projector shrouds, the've been blasted with bugs, rocks, and road grime all summer and fall and they still look new, I scrub them clean with a rag too!

Some tips you: wear gloves, wash items in soap and water, air dry, towels hold oils and dirt, wet sand or scotch pad to scuff the sufaces, wash again, air dry, wax & grease remover if you got it,then spray Plasti-dip, 3-4 light smooth coats is ideal, enjoy!
 

FinalImpact

2 Da Street, Knobs R Gone
Site Supporter
Joined
Mar 16, 2011
Messages
11,137
Reaction score
184
Points
63
Location
USA, OR
Visit site
From a body work arena the only thing I would change is this ^^:

USE Degreaser (Prep-Sol) before sanding any finish to be painted. If at some point in time the Car, Bike, Helmet, xxxxx, got SILICONE on it, sanding spreads the silicone into the paint and you get FISH EYES!!! It sucks!!!
Its MUCH BETTER to keep the paint unbroken and remove all grime, bugs, silicone, by:
- soap and water all visible particles
- prep-sol (removes non visible oils and silicone)
Repeat if you want it gone for good. Then start sanding, scuffing, buffing.....
 

4drfocus

Rurouni
Joined
Jul 11, 2008
Messages
593
Reaction score
10
Points
0
Location
Oz, or somtimes Japan
Visit site
True. true, a gentle degreaser if you got it, not everyone has access to it thou, don't use 'heavy duty' or 'commercial grade' it will eat paint, clear coats, wax, and you! :eek: Liquid dish detergent works wonders too...
 

fz6Ducky

Junior Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2013
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
minnesota
Visit site
I plasti-diped my helmet just took a while to tape everything off and its just fine. handle the abuse from last season just fine. Peels off pretty easily too in my case ha.
 
Top