Helmet painting for ALMS driver

Avmaviator · #1 (**permalink**) 09-13-2011, 01:59 PM

Just finished today my latest helmet painting, which will be used at the Laguna Seca, and Petit Le Mans ALMS races. I started painting helmets as a hobby, this is only my third one. I was asked to paint this Sparco carbon fiber helmet three weeks ago. It came along pretty well till I made a mistake with one layer of paint... I was pretty unhappy with it. So, two days before I need to deliver it, I started all over again. I put in a 12 hr day, then the following day another 8 hrs before I had to deliver it that night. It was stressful but rewarding too. I still encountered some problems with the clear coat, which you can't see unless you're up close, but it still bothers me. I need to make myself a quality paint booth.

Anyways, here it is. I was asked to use the same green as the car, black, and white, the rest was up to me. The car is an LMPC class car, Performance Tech team. The green is a lot brighter in direct sunlight, and also a lot deeper. The colors in these pictures are a little dull for some reason. The black portions is the actual carbon fiber shells, which made the job even harder.

Arno

henryr · #2 (**permalink**) 09-13-2011, 06:52 PM

what ya charge ?

elmariachi · #3 (**permalink**) 09-13-2011, 06:55 PM

Looks like very tedious work, probably drive me bat ch!t crazy doing one. Nice work, but hard to imagine having the patience to do that with a Kirkham and monster aluminum FE waiting in the garage.

Avmaviator · #4 (**permalink**) 09-13-2011, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by henryr

what ya charge ?

Well it depends on the paint. Depends on what kind of paint, how many colors, etc... labor wise, I don't have a specific charge yet as most of the helmets I have done have been for friends and such. But, if you are interested we can talk about it further. PM me if you are.

Quote:

Originally Posted by elmariachi

Looks like very tedious work, probably drive me bat ch!t crazy doing one. Nice work, but hard to imagine having the patience to do that with a Kirkham and monster aluminum FE waiting in the garage.

No kidding! I had a big Summit order which was waiting for me in the garage, but I had to get this helmet done. It wasn't easy

Now I get to work on the Kirkham, well, kind of since I need more parts

hah.

lovehamr · #5 (**permalink**) 09-13-2011, 08:29 PM

Arno, that's sharp man!

PDUB · #6 (**permalink**) 09-13-2011, 08:39 PM

Nice design!

mreid · #7 (**permalink**) 09-13-2011, 08:43 PM

Arno, that is beautiful! It is a true artist who sees more what could have been better than what beauty is already created.

Dimis · #8 (**permalink**) 09-13-2011, 10:54 PM

I can't believe that's only your 3rd helmet!

From the photo's your work looks as good as any pro's

I call BU!! SH!T on you trying to pass yourself of as a rookie!

Well done! Great work!

Avmaviator · #9 (**permalink**) 09-14-2011, 06:36 AM

Thank so much everybody such nice feedback!

This is something, helmet painting, I started about a year and a half ago because it looked neat. My first helmet (the one below), I started over 3 times because of some mistakes I made. That's what you get when you self teach yourself, hah, but I didn't mind. I'm still learning a lot on these things about different techniques, materials, etc.. makes it a lot of fun, and also very challenging when you have a deadline!
My main problem right now is finding time to do it between work (gone 4 days every week), finishing house projects before our first child arrives in January, working on the Kirkham, and other stuff. A lot of stuff that is for sure, but all good stuff

well, maybe expect for being on the road so much haha.

Anyways, here are some pics of the other helmets I have done.

This is my first one.

cobrakidz · #10 (**permalink**) 09-15-2011, 10:33 PM

Nice work.....