Hey slowtwitch… its been a while since I posted last, but I thought I’d share my most recent Tri related activity… airbrushing a LG rocket for up and coming triathlete Jordan Bryden (watch for him at the Xterra championships this weekend). He’s involved with the blazeman ALS fundraising, hence the “blazeman” on the side of the helmet.
More photos can be found http://www.paulgraham.ca/gallery/album114
Here’s some shots of the finished helmet:
I thought that painting a helmet was strictly verboden. Is it still legal?
Really? That’s the first I’ve heard of that. I’ll have to look that up.
according to ironman.com’s athlete’s guide for Kona:
“8) Athletes will be required to follow section 3.3 of the 2007 ITU Athletes’ Rules on helmets. Alterations to hardshell helmet that affect its integrity are not allowed. The helmet must be fastened before the athlete fi rst mounts the bicycle and at all times when the athlete is on the bicycle. The athlete must dismount the bicycle prior to unfastening their chin strap.”
according to the ITU’s rules:
E.3.3 Helmets
b) An alteration to any part of the helmet including the chin strap, or the omission of any part of the helmet, including an outer cloth cover, is prohibited;
I’d argue that paint does not affect the integrity of a helmet. I guess it could be up the the judge, but unless I’ve missed previous discussions, I wouldn’t call that “strict”. I’ve only added paint to something… in my opinion that’s no different then adding a sticker (structurally speaking).
Doesn’t every LG helmet technically have a paint job. What we buy in the store is not how the plastic looks without further paint, decals, etc. I would say this is no different it is just more paint.
From what I can tell, the actual shell is clear plastic with the design on the inside and put there during the injection process. Something like “in mold labeling” but on the inside (not sure if that’s possible), but that’s my guess.
Forget whether it is legal or not, great job on the paint and design!
Excellent job!
drool.
I love it.
I’m guessing if I have to ask, I can’t afford it. haha.
If it’s considered illegal then there should have been some DQing going on in Kona.
It’s legal under UCI/USAC rules. I have some painted helmets.
Well that’s good to know. Great paint job BTW. I’d love to have a custom paint job on my helmet.
Hey paul, do you do bikes as well? 
Is it acrylic paint then clear coated? What prep work do you have to do to get the helmet ready?
Prep: remove stickers, screws and any padding. Cover up everything inside with tape and paper. Stuff holes in helmet to make sure nothing gets through to the foam. light sanding to scuff the surface (600 grit sand paper) to take the gloss finish off for the paint to stick to. spray primer (acrylic stuff you get at the hardware store). sand lightly and coat again.
paint: Createx “auto air” paints (acrylic) with a hardener additive. patterns done with frisket and overhead plastic sheets
clear coat: spray gloss (oil based stuff in a can) with sanding in between coats progressing to 1600 grit.
Haven’t yet, but there’s a first for everything.
Dude! Sweeeet! Thinking you might be the man to repaint my Kestrel 200SCi…or my Renn disc…or my LG Prologue helmet (even though the current flame fade job from the factory is pretty sweet). Very well done man.
Hey Paul I sent you a PM, let me know what you think.
Reply sent.
For anybody else interested… PM or email paul@paulgraham.ca me. I’ll give you the lowdown and we can see if it works for you. This is a hobby for me, so this is something that has to fit between all of life’s other distractions. This isn’t something that pays the bills, so if you’ve got connections perhaps we can work out a trade. If it is for cash then its probably going to go towards toys anyway.