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help... leather helmet repaint
I was wondering if there was anyone out there that has repainted there leather helmet them self's and had any tips on how to get all of the paint off before they repainted it. i just bought a new white N6A on sale and need to paint it black. wondering whats the best way to get all of the paint off.
thanks
thanks
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dave LeBlanc on -
I have a whole process written down, I will try and find it and post it. For paint removal use Citrus strip versus a harsh chemical stripper.
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Permalink Reply by Dave LeBlanc on
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If the black paint is in decent shape, do not strip it down to bare leather. A good scuff on sanding to break the glossy finish. Make sure you clean the paint well. A light coat of citrus strip might be the best choice, not to take all the paint off, but to clean the surface and provide a rough surface for the first coat of paint.
Leather helmets are soaked in boiling linseed oil and then allowed to dry. If you can leave that surface intact, you will be better off. That is why I would recommend not stripping it.
The red should cover the black without a problem. Your first coat should contain a mix of linseed oil and color. If you haven't stripped it down to leather or the primer coat then a mix of 2 paint:1 oil should be fine. This coat may stay a little tacky. Folow up with at least two additional thin coats of paint. The second coat should be more paint, less oil. The last coat all paint.
Older leather helmets have a better paint job (pre 90's) From 2000 on the paint has seemed to chip, flake and fall off easier.
The paint from the Firestore is good (One Shot) but a good oil based paint will work. (I think Sherwin Williams makes the paint that Cairns uses). The One Shot is a little shiney.
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Permalink Reply by Dave LeBlanc on
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did not use primer, but you can if you want to. Also if you are taking it down to bare leather then make the 1st coat like 2 oil : 1 paint.
System:
Strip to bare leather using citri strip
2 coats linseed oil
1 coat 2:1 ratio oil to paint
1 coat 2:1 ratio paint to oil
1 coat paint only
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Permalink Reply by Jacob Smith on -
hey thanks alot Lt that has been the most help and probably one of the easiest ways to repaint it. thanks for the tips.
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Permalink Reply by Larry Glover on -
I'll second the Citrus Strip. It worked like a champ on my Houston. I first tried a heat gun, at the advice of some, and it did not work to well.
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