Has anyone had any luck painting plastic helmets?

[aus...@alpineedge.com]

I was thinking about painting my wildwater competition helmet either
silver or metallic blue. Has anyone had any luck with this? What kind
of paint did you use? Did you use any special processes? I am woried
that it would chip and just look like a piece of junk. Right now, I am
thinking either spray paint or model paint. Can this paint be removed
once put on?

Thanks,
Austin

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Before you buy.

[CMEMERICH]

>I was thinking about painting my wildwater competition helmet

I've painted lots of plastic, and the most important thing is surface
preparation. Wash your helmet with dish soap and rinse it well, then sand it
with 400-grit sandpaper.

The plastic is naturally slippery, and sanding gives the paint a better surface
to stick to. Don't try to milk the sandpaper; throw it away when it doesn't
"feel" new anymore.
Then clean your helmet with acetone or alcohol (don't use nail polish remover
because it has undesirable oils in it) and paint it.

If you know someone with a paint gun, get a catalyzed paint and have them spray
it; it will last longer. Otherwise, use an epoxy paint. It takes a few days
to dry, but it won't chip.

>silver or metallic blue
You will want to use a clear topcoat over the metallic, because metallics don't
weather very well.

Curt