First off, not sure if this is in the right section so let me apologize if it is!

I was looking at my old lid, and to be honest, it was abit ruined. I'd never dropped it so structurally it's safe and sound, but it had rolled across the floor once a twice so it was all chipped and pitted the paint, and i didnt like the design.
So I did alot of research on DIY spray painting, Id dabbled before but never really given it a proper go. All my research pointed to one thing.
ITS ALL IN THE PREPERATION!
After all, fail to prepare, prepare to fail!!

So here's how i did it.
The start.




As you can see, the lacquer is all fallen off and and the paint is chipped.
so I started sanding it down, I began with a 120 grade wet and dry
then moved onto a 240, followed by a 600, 800 and finished with a 1200.
Dont get me wrong, this took about 5 hours in total and i was so bored by the end of it, normally, id have lost interest and given up. But not this time, I was determined to do a good job.





So, after I was happy with the finish I began with the primer. I did 4 coats in all, in between the 3rd and 4th i went sanded it again to make sure it was perfect for the last coat of primer.
i left it for at least 1 hour in between coats, and left it to bake in front of a halogen heater, check out the finish I got with a spray can of primer.







After i was happy with it all I started spraying it with MATTE BLACK.
This is the finish i wanted, again, 4 coats of paint and a good solid wet sand in between the 3rd and the 4th.






Overall, chuffed with the result, the white bits you can see on the glossy bits of plastic are adhesive transfers from the masking tape, they have just rubbed off now so it looks perfect.
Im going to add a tasteful red sticker on the back to just make it abit more interesting but it think it looks brilliant as it is.

I guess what im trying to say is if I can do a job this well in my garage, so can you!!

 

Nice work!

 

Came out real good for your first "full go". If you plan on using the spray can again, try to get the cans with the "fan" tip! Makes painting SO much easier! Did you use a matte clear also or is it just matte black?

 

That looks great! Nice job.. I've always wanted to spray one of my spare helmets, but was put off by people saying it can weaken/damage the structural rigidity of the helmet. Not sure how that would be so as its not a thick layer you're taking off and the chemicals shouldn't eat into the helmet.

Guessing its safe to do this?..

 

Nicely done. Must be satisfying after all the hard work.

Has it inspired you to try another one and go for some kind of design on it?

 

To be honest I'm really tempted to do some kind of red design on this one but its come out so nicely I don't want to ruin it. My girlfriend has a helmet she wants me to spray for her now so I might attempt something on there. I'm going to do my side stand on the bike and maybe a few other little bits but I don't want to go mad, just cause I know how to do it now does not mean I want to go crazy with it and thinking can sprays whole bike ahaha.


And when it comes to the helmet staying structural I can't see any issue. All you're doing is taking paint off and putting new paint on, after all, it goes hard when it's baked anyway so it might make slightly better???

 

Nice job man - trying to decide between painting or wrapping an older one I have , too

 

Genuinely really impressed myself with how well it turned out.
Can't emphasise enough how much the prep made the difference.

 

now go ahead and slap an Arai sticker on it and sell it..




ha i kid

 

Looking good. Any plans for stickers or LED's?