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How to Airbrush Primer on a Helmet

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.

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