Helmet Masking Tips & Tricks

[@AppalachianHandcraft]

I've painted a dozen or so helmets over the years and every single one has been a bear to tape the trim on. Learned SO MUCH from this video, thank you for sharing man. 🤙🏼

[@wickedartstudio]

That's awesome! I'm glad you found some value in the video!

[@Dogsled1000]

Just getting ready to do a helmet and you addressed all the issues i usually have. Looking forward to a much better better job. Having the patience to re-tape is something i have to learn. great lesson!

[@wickedartstudio]

Hey Al! I'm glad you found the video helpful. Re-taping definitely makes a huge difference when it comes to quality in the end!

[@TanielaFairlock]

I'm doing my first motorcycle tank this weekend and this helped me! I actually have a helmet coming soon! Ahhh so excited! You rock!

[@wickedartstudio]

Thanks! Glad you found it helpful!

[@Mcfc2Rich]

Your channel is like a library wealth of knowledge that I can always come back to. Even in 30 years if I'm still here. 👍🏻

[@wickedartstudio]

I'm glad you find my content helpful! I appreciate the kind words, thank you!

[@anyalawrence9613]

Thanks for the video! If the tape leaves a residue what’s the best way to get it off? Do you use a specific kind of masking tape?

[@wickedartstudio]

Hi Anya! You can try using a solvent based wax and grease remover or reducer to remove tape residue. Be very careful if you are using water-based paint! You don't want to remove your artwork while trying to get rid of the residue. I would allow your paint to cure for at least 48 hours before attempting to remove any residue. Even then, be very gentle. The bigger issue is if your tape is leaving a residue you need to find and use a better tape. The cheap tape found at the big box store is not suitable for this purpose. I only use tape that was designed for automotive refinishing and/or custom automotive painting because those tapes are specifically designed not to leave any residue on painted surfaces. 3M is a good brand to look for, but that company produces a wide variety of different tapes. Again, make sure it is automotive grade.

[@jester1034]

Glad to have you back!

[@wickedartstudio]

Thank you my friend! I'm glad to be back!

[@heinrichhelmbold419]

This was really insightful and helped a lot, thank you. Will you take this a bit further and explain how you plan and “map out” your design on the helmet? How do you make sure you spray a logo for example perfectly center on the half helmet? And lastly, when using candies, how do you approach your artwork if you can’t create a basic sketch with pencil? Sorry, so many questions but I am learned so much from you... thank you!

[@wickedartstudio]

I'm not certain I'll make a video that covers painting this specific helmet, but I'll add the mapping out request to my list of topics I need to cover in future videos. Mapping out the design relies more heavily on what the client wants. There's a couple of methods I use to make sure logos, or any other graphics, are as straight as I can get them. If the helmet already has factory graphics on it, I take a lot of pictures and use the old graphics for guidance when laying out the new design. If it's a blank canvas like the helmet in this video, I'll have someone put the helmet on and take a lot of pictures of it actually sitting on someone's head. That gives me a very good idea of how to lay out the new design as well. Does that make sense? There are a number of ways you can map out your design when using candies. Paper cut masks are a good choice. You can also use colored pencils (use the same color as the candy you plan to apply) and use a very light touch so the lines are very faint. Thanks for the kind words my friend!

[@heinrichhelmbold419]

@@wickedartstudio This is absolutely amazing advice and I really appreciate it. The content on your channel is fantastic and I appreciate every bit of effort you put into it. Thank you!

[@wickedartstudio]

@@heinrichhelmbold419 Thank you my friend! I appreciate the kind words very much!

[@BearcatPL]

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[@MickE98]

Good tips.I glued a Styrofoam wig head to a lazy susan. You can strap the helmet down tight and just a little extra masking.

[@wickedartstudio]

A few others have commented they use a very similar method as your own. It's a great idea that I never would've thought of! Thanks for sharing!

[@done.bruton4766]

Spraygunner has an excellent helmet stand. Wife got me 1 a few years back. My favorite tool/accessory...very versatile. ]

[@wickedartstudio]

I was unaware of that. Thanks for sharing!

[@paulhatch9020]

Awesome videos dude. Could you do one on the next stage full helmet prep and routine in between airbrush stages?

[@wickedartstudio]

Hi Paul! Unfortunately, I don't paint helmets very often anymore. I will add your request to my list of videos I need to create for the next time I get one in though.

[@richardgray4109]

Thanks Trevor..I have some old helmets that I practice on the trim is really glued the tapeing you did I must try & the can want tip over like a styrofoam head🙃

[@wickedartstudio]

Glad you found some useful information in this one Richard! I appreciate your support my friend!

[@ronjon5386]

I will use some of these techniques tomorrow when I tape a helmet. Thanks

[@wickedartstudio]

Awesome! I'm glad you found the information helpful!

[@chrisnorton9531]

Great advice for masking in sections. I use a mannequin head from a tailors dummy.

[@wickedartstudio]

There was another comment that said they use a mannequin head too. That's actually kind of brilliant, but that particular idea has never crossed my mind. Thanks for sharing Chris!

[@snapfly7]

Would it be easier to use a more flexible vinyl tape like fbs to tape off trim?

[@1A_Wolle]

Perfekt! Usable information. Thank You, great wishes from Germany.

[@wickedartstudio]

Thank you!

[@roadshowautosports]

I can’t agree more with this method as I’ve used since 2004. The only things I do different is that I don’t like to use a completely empty can, as it is easy to tip over for the ones of us that are more clumsy than you are, and I’m sure many here can relate. I do use empty cans but add sand inside or water til half can or whole can it’s filled, this way i have a better control and stability. When airbrushing, many times i started climbing the helmet until it tipped over, not funny! With the weighted can it becomes stable enough to offer support for my working hands well protected. Another thing that I’ve done it’s the half tape on trims anywhere, even on cars. It works awesome. On helmets, I only tape it to the can when I’m doing only masking graphics, when I do illustration type art, where i need to sometimes lower the area where I’m working on the helmet, I choose not to. I still do mask it completely and protect it but I need the helmet to be mobile. I usually cover the can with masking paper then a belt of 2” tape around the middle to be able to use some 3/4” tape to hold it at the angle I need. Since we’re in this subject, when I’m using paper masking or plastic sheet, I cut slots when the creases are and tape on top of it but leaving s little opening so the tape will attach to the surface underneath and help to hold it down or will fold them neatly and tape over along them avoiding overspray buildup. As always, very informative and concise! Cheers

[@wickedartstudio]

Those are great tips Edson! Thanks for sharing my friend!

[@roadshowautosports]

@@wickedartstudio anytime!

[@tamada6086]

Great informative video! What kind of tape did you use?

[@wickedartstudio]

3M Automotive Masking Tape. I appreciate the kind words!

[@johnbisci3125]

Very helpful. Thanks for sharing.

[@wickedartstudio]

Thank you, John!

[@cdl6661]

Hi. Thanks for the video. Hoy to remove the oíl on the helmet for touch?

[@wickedartstudio]

Wipe the surface with a wax and grease remover.

[@cdl6661]

Ok Thanks. Can I know whitch you use? And I need to do that every time that i touch the helmet. For exqmple if I masking to change the colors

[@wickedartstudio]

@@cdl6661 I use Spray Max Wax & Grease Remover. You can find it here amzn.to/3RMuyqC It's not necessary to clean the helmet every time you touch it, but it is a good idea to keep it as clean as possible. I normally clean before adding additional layers of paint if I've handled the part a lot.

[@SueMyChin]

Curious if you've ever tried removing the trim and replacing it and if it is worth the effort (if not the money saving)?

[@wickedartstudio]

I have and I don't recommend it. Most are glued on. When I say glued on, I mean glued on to the point that damaging the trim while trying to remove it is highly likely.

[@jerseyjoe1677]

I really like your wooden easel I have a aluminum easel and it just moves around to much. What brand is yours ? Thanks

[@wickedartstudio]

Oh man... I have no idea to be honest. I've had that easel for at least fifteen years (probably longer)!

[@jerseyjoe1677]

Wicked Art Airbrush Studio it’s ok thanks 🙏

[@johnsobel4409]

Thanks for the masking tips, how ever, how do you clean up the rubber trim if a little paint sliped past the masking? Thanks

[@wickedartstudio]

Lightly scrubbing the area with some rubbing alcohol or reducer will remove water-based paint relatively easily on the trim.

[@Viernes13punto5]

do you paint over the rivets and wipe off before clear? or just airbrush and clear them too? great video.

[@wickedartstudio]

I appreciate the kind words! I airbrush and clear over the rivets. You risk damaging, or ruining the paint around them while wiping them off. If a client wants to keep the rivets as is for some reason, I would mask them off prior to putting any paint down.

[@Viernes13punto5]

@@wickedartstudio masking rivets, sounds like a bad nightmare.

[@Flashcustomdesigns44]

The studs on open face helmets are causing me issues, would you suggest or advise ever removing them ?

[@wickedartstudio]

I would not advise removing them. I just mask them off with tape.

[@dalemasyk1583]

well...im lucky then ...i just bought myself weldin helmet n has no trim , however any tips i should know before i pre-it n do my master-peiece lol

[@wickedartstudio]

Welding helmets are even easier! Just make sure the glass is masked off extremely well if it's not removable.

[@Canhobix]

Hello, I have a very similar black helmet. What you do before start painting? Did you sand the whole thing, or just the area that you want to paint? Would you mind to share what are the steps that you take b4 painting? Cheers.

[@wickedartstudio]

Hi Jose! I clean the helmet first with a degreaser and then sand the entire helmet. I clean the helmet again after sanding before I begin painting. Cleaning the surface removes any contaminates that may cause paint adhesion issues later. Sanding the surface creates a tooth for the paint to adhere to.

[@Canhobix]

@@wickedartstudio thank you so much.

[@veggiecannible505]

Taped my helmet 2 days ago hopefully today I'll get to spray paint it

[@wickedartstudio]

How did it turn out?

[@tomfowler9577]

How do you handle the rivet heads for the chin strap? I am finding that scuffing between coats if I just bump the steel rivet, it is to bare metal again...

[@wickedartstudio]

Make sure you clean them well before scuffing and again prior to applying paint. There is really no need to scuff between coats if you're using Createx products. Createx doesn't have working windows like solvent based systems. When a scuff is necessary, make sure the product has cured sufficiently (24 to 48 hours) before scuffing the surface and use very light pressure on and around those rivets.

[@maskmonkeycustompaint]

After prepping make sure you use etch primer mate, no problem and no need to scuff if your using water based paints. We remove all the lining leaving the EPA intact then just masks up even the seals come off to give a factory finish, my customers cant tell they have been off.

[@adamakins9748]

I have a styrofoam mannequin head that I epoxied to a 12" X 12" piece of 1/4" thick plywood , holds most of the helmets i've done pretty well

[@wickedartstudio]

That's a cool idea! Thanks for sharing!

[@adamakins9748]

@@wickedartstudio Most welcome, I actually have 2 so that I can bring one to the bodyshop that clears my stuff and one to stay

[@paulromansr5850]

I'm curious, do you charge the customer for the usage of all that tape to hold the helmet in place, i mean, that tape is pretty pricey?

[@wickedartstudio]

There is a small fee on all of my invoices that covers disposable items like tape, masking paper, wax and grease remover, etc.

[@paulromansr5850]

@@wickedartstudio That's a good thing to know when pricing, thanks for responding. Also thanks for the videos as well they are muchly appreciated by me.

[@wickedartstudio]

@@paulromansr5850 Thank you for the kind words and the support my friend! That is very appreciated by me!

[@dice2420]

How do I get tape residue of helmet? I recently painted a helmet red with black strip down the middle. When I removed tape had tape marks or residue on there. So I repainted the red and taped black off which was 24hrs of dry time on black before taping. Now I peeled frog tape (yellow) of and it left residue or marks on it. Trying to get it off with out messing up paint

[@wickedartstudio]

Depending on what paint you used, you may be able to wipe it off with a wax and grease remover. Be careful. If you get too aggressive you may wind up removing paint. If it can't be removed, you'll have to start over. In the future use a tape designed for the purpose. Tape designed for house painting is not the same as tape designed for automotive and/or custom paint. The only tapes I use are 3M Precision, 3M Refinish and FBS tapes. Using a tape designed for automotive paint will not leave a residue when removed.

[@dice2420]

@@wickedartstudio thank you.

[@ReactorFour]

When you paint for indycar driver or NASCAR or other major series driver the mfg will send you just the helmet shell to paint and then you send it back to bell, Arai, Stilo, or Schubert for them to build out... much easier! You can obviously paint without any masking. On everyday racers we rip the bottom molding off and the eyeport molding also. You can then buy new, which I do with the eyeport gasket but for the bottom, I will use a strip of 3M carbon fiber vinyl sticker CA-421 DiNoc... looks great. Or you can buy new gasket. If you are careful and lucky, you can get them off without damage and reuse, but it takes both for sure. I like your can idea. I have been taping off the inside, after removing everything removable and then use a slightly modified jack stand in the booth. The can idea could work for me if I was careful about taping the front vents and eyeport well. I may try this on my next one. However my helmet jobs spend 90 percent of their time in the studio taping and masking, taping and masking..... and.... taping and masking. Also, something you didn’t mention on some helmets, for sure Bell auto racing helmets, is the removal of the metal ring eyelets for the holes. Gently pop them out from the inside with a long T handle Allen wrench that fits in the hole but not through the eyelet... I don’t do motorcycle helmets so not sure if they have those but they are common in automotive to facilitate air intakes and such. You made a great point about tape! definitely use vinyl tape not crepe and get the color that suits both the bend radius you need and is made for the paint type you are using. FBS has a great line up of fine line tapes for waterborne paint as well as tapes for solvent based paints in all sorts of bend radius.

[@wickedartstudio]

I knew you could paint just the shell for really high end clients and that would definitely make the process easier. I've never had the opportunity to do that yet. Most, if not all, the helmets I wind up painting are motorcycle helmets and I've never seen the metal ring eyelets you talked about on any of those. I'll have to try that 3M carbon fiber sticker though. Not removing the lower trim is a pain most of the time. Thanks for sharing your tips and experience with us my friend!

[@ReactorFour]

@@wickedartstudio I have a helmet right now that is almost done.... it’s pretty insane. I’ll post a link when it’s done.

[@wickedartstudio]

@@ReactorFour Cool!

[@ReactorFour]

@@wickedartstudio here is the one I just finished. It was insane! facebook.com/112858657209489/posts/202913404870680/?d=n

[@wickedartstudio]

@@ReactorFour Dude! That turned out awesome! Super clean! Nice work!

[@johnfulwider7510]

Can't you remove the liner from the inside of the helmet? That would make it easier I'd think to safeguard from overspray and cost you less in tape.

[@adamakins9748]

The fabric liners are removable, however the styrofoam impact shell is not. that styrofoam is extremely susceptible to damage by clearcoat all openings and any vents must be completely tapped closed.

[@johnfulwider7510]

Thanks.....I didn't really know that.

[@wickedartstudio]

Some liners are removable in the higher end helmets. The vast majority of them are not and it's not worth the risk in my opinion.

[@WR-yo8ir]

Thanks for all the great tips. You, do not feel like making video # 2 and grinding and painting the helmet as well. Sincerely

[@wickedartstudio]

Hey Styx! The helmet in this video was a commissioned job. I rarely film actual paying work because of the extra time required to set up all of the equipment that inevitably winds up in the way, but you might see some more of this helmet in the future.

[@WR-yo8ir]

I understand. Happy new year and a better 2021

[@possumrides8448]

Cutting the tape... why didn't you trim to the top of the Helmet trim and let the tape remain to protect the helmet trim? Since the tape was already there covering it? Sure the answer is obvious, but I can't see it. Please explain.

[@wickedartstudio]

In cases where the trim remains on the helmet and needs to be masked off, it's beneficial to re tape the trim between colors/graphics and especially the final clear coat. Paint, overspray, dust and other contaminates tend to build up along the trim during the painting process. Left unaddressed, that will leave a less than desirable end result. Leaving the top half of the trim exposed while masking off the rest of the helmet makes it very easy to mask, remove and re mask that area without removing any of the masked areas that need to remain until the project is finished. Masking on the trim doesn't always have great adhesion either. We're dealing with curved plastic or rubber like surfaces. Sometimes tape will pull away from the trim slightly in small areas which leads to paint getting on the trim. Catching and removing those little mistakes is easier in my opinion when the mask is removed between colors and re masked. This method requires more work and attention to detail, but the end result is a professional finish.

[@Christophenormand]

Bonne méthode cela évite pas mal de problèmes, car le remontage de cette garniture est souvent compliquée, l’astuce du bidon est très bonne.👍

[@wickedartstudio]

Merci! Cette méthode m'a bien servi pendant longtemps.

[@robmartin5414]

The thumbnail photo looks like me whenever I tape I end up looking like a failed escape artist Thank you for the tips Trevor

[@wickedartstudio]

Lol... I thought it would be funny. Glad you found some humor in the thumbnail Rob!

[@orf.designs]

This is so smart

[@wickedartstudio]

Thank you!

[@danispratamachanel9692]

Good

[@wickedartstudio]

Thank you!

[@possumrides8448]

How do you deal with the DOT stickers? Some LEO's want to see that as verification the helmet is DOT Approved

[@wickedartstudio]

In rare cases where a client insists on keeping the DOT sticker, especially when the base color of the helmet doesn't change, I simply clear over the original decal. If the base color is changed, I would incorporate the original helmet color into part of the new design and clear over it in the end. I honestly can't recall ever having a client that insisted on keeping the DOT sticker though.

[@aussietruckphotosandmodels8510]

@@wickedartstudio If its a reasonable brand helmet there will also be a DOT label stitched somewhere in the helmet lining.

[@wickedartstudio]

@@aussietruckphotosandmodels8510 Good to know. Thank you for sharing!

[@PauloRicardo-pp4ml]

cool

[@wickedartstudio]

Thank you my friend!

[@BretBunton]

Good lord you look like tommy Shannon. Bass player for SRV.

[@wickedartstudio]

Thanks.

[@williammessenger9637]

I've used an Empty 1 Gallon milk jug

[@wickedartstudio]

That could work well too! Thanks for sharing!

[@jamesgriffin2170]

Thats the front not the back my man

[@wickedartstudio]

Lol... Unfortunately, I tend to make a lot of mistakes I don't notice until after the upload process. The sad thing is, I tend to watch each video about a half dozen times during the editing process and still miss things. Thanks for keeping me on my toes James!

[@jamesgriffin2170]

@@wickedartstudio i imagine it gets tedious love your content

[@wickedartstudio]

@@jamesgriffin2170 I appreciate the kind words and support my friend!

[@aussietruckphotosandmodels8510]

Airbrushed for a living for over 30 years never used this method, never would.... If you want to see 100 ways to airbrush, put 100 painters in a room and they'll all do it a different way

[@wickedartstudio]

Very true, lol!

[@Exotic_drift]

24 minutes of nothing

[@wickedartstudio]

Thanks.