My son wants to learn to eventually paint helmets, but i need a starting point. Im going to order him a little hobby airbrush kit, and let him learn how to apply a smooth coat of paint on something. What type of paint should we start with? Just model paint, or something from an art supply store?
Any other suggestions to help him get started?
To paint a helmet, you’ll need quite a bit of stuff to do it properly. But having him practice the airbrush a bit is a good start. To do a full project from start to finish, even if it isn’t a helmet, will require a fair bit more investment (spray guns, compressor, clear coat, ventilation etc). To be honest, most of the paint job is in the masking.
To just mess around with the brush, I’d start with something water-based, like Createx/Auto Air: https://www.dickblick.com/brands/createx-colors/
Water-based stuff is less nasty than solvent-based, and easier to clean up.
And I would grab a roll of fine line masking tape as well to practice laying down some lines and practice masking.
Happy to answer questions if you have them.
Thanks. He’s a LONG way from painting a helmet, but he’s quite artistic, he’s got a notebook full of his own car designs, including orthographic views, that he learned to do on his own. So i figured learning the basics of how to use an airbrush would be a good start, maybe get him some more model cars to paint as well.
Model cars is a fun way to practice. I know when I was a kid I did some models but mostly I took paint markers to almost all my Hot Wheels and toy cars to draw designs on them.
Painting a helmet is just a combination of learning a lot of skills. Design, how to tape straight lines, work an airbrush, mix paint, work a spray gun, mix clear, sand properly etc.
Starting with learning the airbrush is a good first step. There are plenty of tutorials on basic airbrush use on YouTube.
My little promo video gives some insight too, but isn’t really supposed to be a tutorial per se: OKTANE VISUAL // 2020 PROMO REEL - YouTube
I am not at TJ’s level, but as a new stay-at-home dad (12 years ago?!) I painted helmets on the side. There are some safety considerations. Wear a GOOD respirator for any sanding or any painting activity. Make sure it’s a solvents-safe respirator, not simply a dust respirator. Positive-air-pressure suit would be even better.
I switched from using Testor’s brand enamels and thinner to a water-based paint – it dried better, was easier to thin (alcohol instead of water for flow) and was generally available as easily. Createx et al.
I’ll echo TJ’s assessment that 80% of a good quality job is the masking and prep. The other 20% is good sanding and cleaning. Of course it helps if the designs are cool too, but a quality basic job beats a runny yellowing killer scheme…
When he’s ready to start laying paint on helmets, go to garage sales and get cheapies that can be discarded or kept as momentos.
Another consideration – liability. I did helmets for SCCA racers and karters. On the lower end of the speed scale. I started by disassembling the helmets so that solvents wouldn’t eat the foam, etc. and it was easier to mask. But to do so, you void the helmet warranty. And if there’s ever a fatal (or bad) accident and it’s determined that the helmet played any role, guess who the new “assembler” of the helmet is?
So, now, I painstakingly mask off the insides and vent holes, and paint with only the trims removed. They can be superglued back on after. Typically I have to remove them with an Xacto, so sometimes I can save them, sometimes I apply new trims.
Have fun, enjoy the journey…
OH, I also have farmed out my clearcoats to a local bodyshop. Saves me lots of time and risk, but also makes me subject to their schedule and additional cost. Something to consider.
Good luck!