[M@LPHY]

Ive been given a D2 that some has sanded the paint off, although they have used some really rough sandpaper. What should I flatten it with? 2000 wet and dry that is wet?

Carbon or Composite!?
Depends on what is next... you want metallic colors or visable carbon twill!?

Grit 2.000 is far to fine, Grit 400 wet sand should do it.

I never understand people sanding a helmet, frame or whatever up 'for you', either to lazy using their hands and using a sanding machine with grit 80 paper. "Yeah i roughened it up for you..." Sanding through it all and stuff.

You just have to flatten factory decals and scuff it up so paint can adhere.

 

[konastab01]

I dunno why he used really rough tbh, although I'd go for laziness. Im gonna paint the helmet but was gonna leave half bare carbon, so will have to get it pretty decent to show it tho. So wet 400 and I should get it up to a nice condition then?

Also were could I replace the trim on it too, as its something TL Dont sell and as Its been hacked.

Thanks for the help.

 

[M@LPHY]

I guess a finer grit took him too long for his liking.
(everybody wants to paint but none have time for prepping accordingly)

So the carbon twill will be showing through!?
Well sand out the rough scratches with 200 and move on to 400... you get an idea with wetting the nekkid carbon with white spirit/solvent, how 'bad' the scratches will show up after clearing it.

Carbon is pretty hard so renew the 400 when necessary, also if you have tender sensitive hands/fingers be carefull with the carbon particles. The human body doesn't like carbon when it is absorbed or pieces are stuck in fingerbeds or under fingernails ie. carbon rash and or thick swollen fingers!
(hence why some painters ask more for painting a carbon helmet for various reasons)

Best is to clear the helmet with all the bare carbon before moving on to painting your design.

TLD D2 style trimmings, hard to come by...
Try.: http://www.bellracing.com/rubber-molding-kit-thin

 

[M@LPHY]

In case you're wondering...

This is what the Specialized Dissident looked like before i put my magic on it.

 

[blindboxx2334]

the before looks better than the after IMO

my philosophy on helmet graphics is 'less is more'.. IMO most helmets have too much 'hey look at me'. but then again, im told people actually like that stuff.

 

[StyledAirtime]

the before looks better than the after IMO

If you have nothing nice to say ,why say anything at all?
sure its your opinion but did you need to say it?
thats someones pride and joy helmet your smackin on.

 

[bizutch]

the before looks better than the after IMO

my philosophy on helmet graphics is 'less is more'.. IMO most helmets have too much 'hey look at me'. but then again, im told people actually like that stuff.

Her sponsors don't care what you think.

 

[blindboxx2334]

Its called 'constructive criticism'.. and I think were talking about different helmets. I was talking about the yellow helmets. I was at work earlier and wasn't fully paying attention.

 

[ronnyg801]

In case you're wondering...

This is what the Specialized Dissident looked like before i put my magic on it.

M@LPHY: Were the before graphics painted on? Decals? If they were painted on, do you have any better method than sanding to get them off carbon? I do some helmets, motorcycles, small restos as side stuff and work as a sales rep at an automotive paint supply for a living(im not completely clueless hehe). I havent messed with a carbon helmet yet cause I havent been offered enough yet to care fully sand off all the color and not in to the carbon, haha.

Thanks

 

[M@LPHY]

Custom means bespoke to a person. So love or hate it.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

On top.:
Factory decals under clear... they were.
I wouldn't make a fuss of 'sanding through' carbon, that stuff is really hard.

The sanding paper will loose it sharpness after some initial passes.
(hence higher pricing for prepping since you use more sanding paper)

You get this topographical layer of sanded clear, gelcoat, bare carbon.
Perhaps one can media blast with soda, glass, ground walnut shells to get the cleared over decals off if that is what you mean?
You still get to the bare carbon, intercoat or clear it over before continuing for paint.


I've also prepped some Arai GP6-RC (RaceCarbon) helmets, removed the vulcanized trimmings and the stuck on rubber which is left, you can imagine the rough edge/carbon strands when the trimmings are removed don't go along very well with your fingers(nails). Gloves are in order because carbon splinters stuck under nails well... painfull.

 

[konastab01]

Yep order rubber gloves and a piles of diffrent grade sandpaper to prep my helmet for painting.... Once prepped I can figure out what I want to do with it.

Gonna also do my Poc all mountain helmet too as the clear coat is looking all ****ty.

 

[M@LPHY]

Once you cut through the clear you'll sand through the decals in a instant.
Just put some effort into it and have some patience, a bowl with water and a sponge to remove the sanding residue (keep it moist) also helps... like with 'dry' sanding the paper will fill up soon covering the grit loosing it sanding power. So from time to time sponge the sanded area clean.

Don't skimp on the paper (renew when needed) unless you have unlimited elbow grease.

The sanding residue running with the water in the ducts and holes can be brushed off when dry, i just use a paint brush to wipe it away.

I like wetsanding since you have no sanding dust filling the area.

 

[M@LPHY]

Its called 'constructive criticism'.. and I think were talking about different helmets. I was talking about the yellow helmets. I was at work earlier and wasn't fully paying attention.

No pun taken!
But err. the yellow helmets are in line with the thirty7even logo, it's what they wanted a fairly simple and bold design, speedstriped center and some sponsor logos.

 

[canadmos]

Personally, I think you did a great job on those yellow IXS helmets (as well as every other helmet you've posted here), they just look horrible to begin with haha. You can polish a turd all you want, but its still a turd.

 

[M@LPHY]

Those iXS Metis helmets are a nightmare to prep with those angular surfaces and beveled straight edge ducts.
(not to mention the 'mesh' in the ducts, woven wire mesh, sparringly superglue to the shell push to hard and they loosen... taping them off with crepe tape pushed inbetween the shell)

I see FLY Racing has obtained a license for selling them under their name.
http://www.flyracing.com/product/mtb/riderwear/helmets/default-helmet/670/blackblue

 

[RUFUS]

Not DH related but stunning none the less. The artist is Jens Munser.

http://jalopnik.com/sebastian-vettels-monaco-helmet-reveals-a-naked-pinup-509559725

 

[bizutch]

Just wow...

 

[M@LPHY]

Not DH related but stunning none the less. The artist is Jens Munser.

http://jalopnik.com/sebastian-vettels-monaco-helmet-reveals-a-naked-pinup-509559725

JMD... from Germany.
Stunning, yes if you call stickers, waterslide decals 'custom-paint' !?
And there's a whole team behind Jens.

So yeah each F1 Grand Prix, Messr. Vettel has a new helmet.
Hence little time is left for those intricate designs to be 'painted'.
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2013/01/15/helmets-sebastian-vettel/

Click on this hi-res photo and enlarge it; you'll see the Red Bull logo is just vinyl!
(eyeball the reflection and you'll see high spots)

Metalflake vinyl foil, chrome viny foil, full-color printed vinyl foil... vinyl foil is killing the industry. #signpainters

Oh and all the effects, designs he did... Corby Concepts did them first years ago.
But since F1 is globally watched, JMD is reaping all benefits of the exposure Vettel gets.

I'm not condoning vinyl, if a client wants to pay less... by all means use vinyl.
If a tight ass brand manager insist on using stickers of say MONSTER Energy logos, because of strict corporate id... by all means use factory stickers. You don't want to lose a sponsorship.

Just don't call it custom paint!

 

[LukeD]

thought you guys would like this. recent project I just finished
http://drive.jalopnik.com/whats-the-best-idea-for-a-custom-painted-helmet-w-572721862
Kind of hard to see in the video but I'll upload pics later.

 

[LukeD]

JMD... from Germany.
Stunning, yes if you call stickers, waterslide decals 'custom-paint' !?
And there's a whole team behind Jens.

So yeah each F1 Grand Prix, Messr. Vettel has a new helmet.
Hence little time is left for those intricate designs to be 'painted'.
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2013/01/15/helmets-sebastian-vettel/

Click on this hi-res photo and enlarge it; you'll see the Red Bull logo is just vinyl!
(eyeball the reflection and you'll see high spots)

Metalflake vinyl foil, chrome viny foil, full-color printed vinyl foil... vinyl foil is killing the industry. #signpainters

Oh and all the effects, designs he did... Corby Concepts did them first years ago.
But since F1 is globally watched, JMD is reaping all benefits of the exposure Vettel gets.

I'm not condoning vinyl, if a client wants to pay less... by all means use vinyl.
If a tight ass brand manager insist on using stickers of say MONSTER Energy logos, because of strict corporate id... by all means use factory stickers. You don't want to lose a sponsorship.

Just don't call it custom paint!

Ya most of the helmets are vinyl now due to time constraints and logos. I know quite a few of the motoGP lids are.. check out drudi. He does a ton of vinyl on Rossi's lids, but when he has time he litereally hand paints them...very little to no airbrush work, all brush.
http://www.motoplanet.cz/uploads/image/drudispolupracujeshondou4.jpg All the Monster lids I've done have been mostly vinyl per Monster's request. Kinda makes it easier for me too...but then at that point you end up being more of a production line as opposed to an artist

 

[Kevin]

thought you guys would like this. recent project I just finished
http://drive.jalopnik.com/whats-the-best-idea-for-a-custom-painted-helmet-w-572721862
Kind of hard to see in the video but I'll upload pics later.

Awesome...

 

[RUFUS]

JMD... from Germany.
Stunning, yes if you call stickers, waterslide decals 'custom-paint' !?
And there's a whole team behind Jens.

So yeah each F1 Grand Prix, Messr. Vettel has a new helmet.
Hence little time is left for those intricate designs to be 'painted'.
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2013/01/15/helmets-sebastian-vettel/

Click on this hi-res photo and enlarge it; you'll see the Red Bull logo is just vinyl!
(eyeball the reflection and you'll see high spots)

Metalflake vinyl foil, chrome viny foil, full-color printed vinyl foil... vinyl foil is killing the industry. #signpainters

Oh and all the effects, designs he did... Corby Concepts did them first years ago.
But since F1 is globally watched, JMD is reaping all benefits of the exposure Vettel gets.

I'm not condoning vinyl, if a client wants to pay less... by all means use vinyl.
If a tight ass brand manager insist on using stickers of say MONSTER Energy logos, because of strict corporate id... by all means use factory stickers. You don't want to lose a sponsorship.

Just don't call it custom paint!

There is still some custom painting, I was just impressed with the design and the look. I know that they are mainly vinyl logos because I used to print them for helmet painters and designers, still looks great though.

 

[blindboxx2334]

dat sparkle!

 

[M@LPHY]

dat sparkle!

He's standing under the overhanging pitbox lighting... rainbow/3D Halo vinyl foil.

 

[M@LPHY]

Specialized Dissident #2, Anneke Beerten.:

 

[M@LPHY]

The process:

 

[M@LPHY]

Have you entered the Bell Blank Canvas contest yet?
http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Bell-Blank-Canvas-Contest-Enter-Now.html

So how hard can it be to design a special livery for 'Sik Mik' for Crankworx Whistler!?
- a design that pops
- a design personalized to Mick Hannah
- a true design not just 'copy past'

Full submissions viewing here http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/list/?category=57&date=all

 

[M@LPHY]

As requested by many.:

 

[blindboxx2334]

He's standing under the overhanging pitbox lighting... rainbow/3D Halo vinyl foil.

yes, i know. but it still doesnt take away from the fact that it looks dope.

http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb9799350/p4pb9799350.jpg

never owned a bell, and i refuse to buy anything from them since they didnt choose this design.. by far and away the best entry.. i would have bought one and put my near-new 661 helmet on the backburner..

 

[M@LPHY]

Ready for the UCI Four-Cross World Championships, Saalfelden Leogangbang (Austria) 20 - 21 September.

Bold and bright, country colors themed on the ROSE Vaujany IXS Metis hilmits.
(the Up Holland Orange is a day-glo/neon/fluo color)

 

[M@LPHY]

Eye see you:

GIRO TT hilmit:

 

[M@LPHY]

 

[bizutch]

Pretty awesome right here:
http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/9716220/virginia-tech-wear-special-hokie-stone-helmets-georgia-tech

 

[thad]

 

[dropmachine]

JMD... from Germany.
Stunning, yes if you call stickers, waterslide decals 'custom-paint' !?
And there's a whole team behind Jens blah blah rant

Just don't call it custom paint!

You sound butthurt.

Actaully, you sound like the painters did around the time the airbrush was introduced. When it first came out other art painters said it was cheating, and "not real painting". Funny the irony in this situation.

That Redbull helmet may use stickers and foil and whatever else, but I don't care. I don't care if they use smurf balls to get it done. In the end, its a highly customized helmet with more pop, appeal and impact than any I've seen you post here. You're clearly good at what you do, but crapping on another artist just because of the technique they used? Weak.

 

[M@LPHY]

You sound butthurt.

Actaully, you sound like the painters did around the time the airbrush was introduced. When it first came out other art painters said it was cheating, and "not real painting". Funny the irony in this situation.

That Redbull helmet may use stickers and foil and whatever else, but I don't care. I don't care if they use smurf balls to get it done. In the end, its a highly customized helmet with more pop, appeal and impact than any I've seen you post here. You're clearly good at what you do, but crapping on another artist just because of the technique they used? Weak.

Well, well... you sound like your face been stuffed by a big butt! #location #location

I don't care for your reply either!
Your excuse is also veeery weak... Red Bull pops, yeah right because every single rider gets a hard on over it.

I ain't crapping on other artist, i'm plain telling to all that cleared over decals ain't custom paint! #fact

 

[jonKranked]

I ain't crapping on other artist, i'm plain telling to all that cleared over decals ain't custom paint! #fact

so it's a matter of semantics?

 

[bizutch]

so it's a matter of semantics?

What does religuhn have to do with helmuts?

 

[bizutch]

You sound butthurt.

Actaully, you sound like the painters did around the time the airbrush was introduced. When it first came out other art painters said it was cheating, and "not real painting". Funny the irony in this situation.

That Redbull helmet may use stickers and foil and whatever else, but I don't care. I don't care if they use smurf balls to get it done. In the end, its a highly customized helmet with more pop, appeal and impact than any I've seen you post here. You're clearly good at what you do, but crapping on another artist just because of the technique they used? Weak.

You're taking words typed on a screen and blowing them a hair out of proportion. Don't make me take my thread and go home with it.

 

[stiksandstones]

We just finished an A1 trail helmet for Peaty, that I really dig, he wanted it to have same vibe as his world championships D3, I will post pics by end of the day. Rad to see custom painted trail/open face helmets.