Playak Logo


The Global Paddling Community

Independent - Daily

Login / Connect

Forums

SUPzero Forums

Market

Support American Whitewater! Support American Whitewater!

[please login to make this ad block disappear]
Welcome, Guest
Username: Password: Remember me
Forgot your password? Forgot your username? Create an account
Forums
General Paddler Forum
General
General Paddler Forum
Preserving Helmet Art
  • Page:
  • 1

TOPIC:

Preserving Helmet Art 19 years 7 months ago #7626

So I'm in the process of getting one of my friends to repaint a helmet for me. It was ugly and flat blue, and hard to see in the water, she's making in look good, and I was wondering what the best method of protecting the finished product is. I've heard mention of some sort of 'gel-coat' on some manufacturer's sites. Does anyone know what this is, why it's special, and if normal wood/plastic verathane-type finish would work just as well? And if this 'gel-coat' really is special, where could I order some? (storefront purchases don't really work for me. I live in rural BC)

Thanks

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Preserving Helmet Art 19 years 7 months ago #7632

  • wiki
  • wiki's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Junior Member
  • Junior Member
  • Posts: 10
  • Thank you received: 0
I wouldn't consider Gel coat if you want to appreciate your friend's art!
Gel coat is a resin based paint with good water resistance but it is a paint so your friend's artwork would become a hidden gem :ask:

Use some varnish, see what paint your friend is using and what's the material your helmet's made of to know what kind of product to use.

Have fun on the river ;-)

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Preserving Helmet Art 19 years 7 months ago #7656

I hate to tell you dude but if your helmet has already started to be painted I would throw it away and get a new one unless you have used helmet specific paints. Mosdt paints cause a chemical reaction with the resin or plastic in the helmet massivly reducing there structural srtength and increasing there brittleness (i.e. helmet may well smash without absorbing the full brunt of the blow if you take a hit).

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Denzil

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Preserving Helmet Art 19 years 7 months ago #7660

Ya, i would check out what kinda of paint it is then do some researching to make sure it hasnt screwed up the compostion of the helmet material, which would make it as said before very brital.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Preserving Helmet Art 19 years 7 months ago #7662

suggest you find out if she can use hockey helmet paint (not sure the correct names, but it doesn't erode the plastic as previously mentioned)...

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Preserving Helmet Art 19 years 7 months ago #7694

whichever paint is used, there is a comparable clear coat to be used as a protective varnish. Find out what type of paint is being used (and the safety issues brought up above are a concern), then you can find the matching clear coat.

for example: if the paint is oil based, you need an compatable clear coat
if it's an acrylic, use an acrylic clear coat. if it's some other type of resin, then use that matching resin clear coat....

The reality is that you cannot protect the paint from scratches while you are wearing it. (it's supposed to get scratched, thus protecting your skull from the damage). But, buy some kind of bag to store the helmet in and the art should last a long time. Most of my little scratches are from bouncing around on the floor of my van on the way to the river.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Preserving Helmet Art 19 years 6 months ago #7929

Gel coat is meant to be sprayed inside a mold. It looks like cottage cheese if it does not have a smooth surface to adhere to. It is very tough (if done right) and looks amazing if you have the right artist build it. I know the guy to makes FNA helmets is am amazing artist. His helmets are 150.00 Cad. custom paint job is no problem. You can order an FNA helmet from www.westerncanoekayak.com if you don't have a local dealer. He makes them out of the shop at that store.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
  • Page:
  • 1
Forums
General Paddler Forum
General
General Paddler Forum
Preserving Helmet Art
Time to create page: 0.183 seconds

Surfrider Foundation
See the AUP for our Acceptable Use Policy and a Privacy Statement. Verein Playak is responsible for all editorial content on this site (including all graphics). No part of this site may be duplicated in any way without explicit permission from Verein Playak. Verein Playak takes great care to only publish original content, but since part of the content is user generated, we cannot always guarantee this 100%. If you notice any copyright violations, please let the editors know through the contact form and they will take appropriate action immediately. As a news and information platform, we republish small text snippets and thumbnail images, but always link to original content on other sites, and thus aim to adhere to a 'Fair Use' policy. If you believe we violate this policy in any particular case, please contact us directly and we'll take appropriate action immediately.