Build-up Worries

[Stretch]

I'm about to paint a helmet that has some vents on the top of it. I'm not going to be removing the vents, I was just planning on taping over them.

My concern is that after scufffing the helmet, I'm going to put down a coat or two of PPG DZ3 Kondar Primer. That has to dry and be sanded. Then I'll be putting down a base coat followed up by 2021 Clear. I'm worried that the tape is going to leave quite an edge right around the vents and may peel up some paint when I tried to remove it when everything's done.

I could remove and retape after each coat but that would take quite a bit of time.

Any suggestions? Do you see any problems? Am I overthinking things?

Thanks-Stretch

 

[LudicrousSpeed]

No, you are probably right about the build up, I know I have done it to myself on other things. Maybe you could paint the vents too? (Easy for me to say, not knowing what they look like!)

 

[Stretch]

I'd prefer not to paint the vent. The one on top takes up quite a bit of the helmet and I'm worried that it would look a little weird? I think I'll tape it off to primer it and then when I tape it up for the base I'll try to tape a little closer to the edge? Hopefully I don't show an edge adn the clear flows into the grooves when I pull the tape.

-Stretch

 

[rex]

If you don't need to prime it don't,just start basing.You're going to get an edge no matter what.What you can do is scuff the vents but not color them and then clear them too after pulling the tape from basing,that'll help 'roll' out the tape edge.

 

[Stretch]

Hey Rex-

I'd prefer to just base over it but didn't know if having a silver base vs. a primer base would effect the teal color? I want to match the factory job as closely as possible. I'll probably just scuff and base, the helmet is in great shape and pretty new.

Thanks-Stretch

 

[Bornhard]

sounds like you don't need to prime the helmet if it's new and has a good factory paintjob on it. Pulling the tape after each step is about the best way to go. Spray your base and then a coat or so of clear and pull tape. Then if you're doing graphics, retape, do graphics and clear again. Remove tape carefully while the clear is curing. Make sure you keep this in mind while you're taping up the vents & plan on easy removal in advance.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/luck.gif

 

[rex]

Actually the bike was probably painted with the teal over the silver,but silver and grey are pretty close so there wouldn't be a big difference in the teal if any at all.

 

[tiller2nv]

Before I started painting I had a guy paint my lid. He left the vents in and to this day I look at it and say Ill never do a job that way! Looks like chit!

 

[Stretch]

Ended up leaving the vents in and it turned out pretty well. I tried to get the vents off but they weren't budging so they stayed.

-Stretch