Can anyone recommend someone in the Greater Vancouver area to paint a new helmet?

A HUGE can of worms but here goes....

First, ask the helmet manufacturer or local re-seller for a painter reference. That will help pre-qualify the participants if there are still any left out there. The mfr. or dealer can advise if top/clear coats are acceptable and if they will compromise the outer shell or not. This is a big issue, do your homework. If you look at the Troy Lee designs, they are mostly water transfers with a clear over top. There is a reason for that. I would also check with the local race authorities and their technical inspectors/scrutineers for comments or suggestions about helmet care, etc.

Second, if you still want to proceed find someone who uses water-borne paints only! The new PPG enviro series or similar. Airbrush shops sell water borne paint, they may have a local guy who still paints helmets. Reason -  the fumes from solvent based paints will eat the foam inside your new helmet, no matter how well you mask it off. This is an obvious safety issue.

Third, if you still want to proceed make sure that whoever sands or preps your new helmet doesn't scratch or gouge the surface before they paint it. I wouldn't use anything rougher than a green scotchpad and then only with the very lightest pressure. And don't forget the snaps and frontal head-restraint hardware. If you remove them put them in a zip-loc baggie so you don't lose them when time to re-install.

Fourth, consider vinyl decals. Not to wrap the entire helmet but stripes, lines, scallops, numbers and flames are possible now with digital printers and contour die-cutting. Avery or 3M are best - their vinyls are easy to install, easily removable with a heat gun and colour-fast.

Good luck with your search.

Lorne (Sign Guy) :D

Sign_Guy wrote on Mar 13^th, 2012 at 8:22am:

A HUGE can of worms but here goes....

Wow . . . thanks so much for the heads up.  I had no idea that  there was so much to take into account!

Decals are sounding really good about now.

James at decalology.com decaled my helmet in the REDBULL scheme
It was the first one he has done, It wasnt too bad

I can send you a pic if you email me

cdoodson@shaw.ca

Jim, Remember:  Always be yourself.  That's the most important thing in life. Unless you can be Batman.  Always be Batman.  Now go get those bat wing decals made!  ;)

Play nice Larry . . . LOL

Jamie at decalology.
778-321-4170
info@decalology.com
ask him for club member discount

You can try Josh Riddle. 604 657 2250
I have seen a few helmets he has painted. He is local and he has a few helmets displayed on his web site.
www.riddleworks.ca

I will be seeing Josh for my next helmet paint job.

Peter

Thanks for all the leads.  Now waiting patiently for my new Stilo helmet.  Will chase it all down when I have the helmet in my hot little hands :-)