How to Airbrush Primer on a Helmet

Prime all helmets before adding custom color.

You can custom-paint a helmet to use with a bicycle, motorcycle or even a costume. Before you can add the base color of the paint, a coat of primer is important to help the paint stick to the surface of the helmet, which is naturally smooth. After applying the primer and base coat, adding a few coats of clear sealer will help hold the paint in place and provide a professional look to the helmet's paint job.

Things You'll Need

• Degreasing cleaner
• Acetone
• Soft cloths
• Painter's tape
• Fine-grit sandpaper
• Primer paint
• Airbrush gun
• Paint thinner

Instructions

1. Clean the helmet with a degreasing cleaner and a soft cloth. Rinse the helmet with water to remove any cleaner residue.

2. Pour some acetone onto a soft cloth. Rub the acetone over the helmet to remove any wax or other coatings from the helmet. Rinse the helmet with water and allow it to dry.

3. Tape off the trim pieces and face plate with painter's tape.

4. Sand the surface with a fine-grit sandpaper to roughen the surface slightly and prepare it for adhesion. Wipe away any sanding residue with a damp cloth.

5. Add about 10 percent paint thinner to the paint solution that you add into the airbrush tank. Shake the ingredients together to mix them.

6. Spray the primer over the helmet. Spray the paint from a distance between eight and 10 inches. Hold the airbrushing gun steady and at a 90-degree angle to the helmet. Allow the primer to dry about two hours. Apply a second primer coat, then allow the paint to dry overnight, or for at least eight hours before applying a base coat.

References

• How to Airbrush: Helmet Step by Step- Half Man
• How to Airbrush: Masking Helmet Trim