Painting / Rhinoliner'ing a sidemount helmet.. Has anyone?

[Texas Torpedo]

I purchased two Light Monkey helmets for SM use but I am not the biggest fan of the brown color they went with.. (I know, it's for diving, not for a fashion show) I wouldn't mind painting it black but I'm doubtful most paint is going to last long after proper use.

That being said, has anyone used something along the lines of Rhinoliner, Herculiner or something similar to paint / coat their helmets?

Thanks,
David

[Dark Eternal]

I purchased two Light Monkey helmets for SM use but I am not the biggest fan of the brown color they went with.. (I know, it's for diving, not for a fashion show) I wouldn't mind painting it black but I'm doubtful most paint is going to last long after proper use.

That being said, has anyone used something along the lines of Rhinoliner, Herculiner or something similar to paint / coat their helmets?

Thanks,
David

That stuff is not that light, it will affect buoyancy for sure. Maybe not much in the small amounts used, and maybe not in a bad way (no idea of its characteristic or how you want your helmet) - just something to think about.

[phillip1]

Lightly sand th helmet with fine grit then use spray paint and make at least 4-5 very light coats letting it dry between coats. It will last pretty well and much longer than one would suspect.

[RHolmesJr]

Sounds like a lot of work just to be fashionable. But hey, to each his own. I bought a LM helmet and I love it. I'm glad I held out for it even if it's not the color I wanted it to be.

[a64pilot]

Well I'm in the painting it mode myself, I think I can scuff it with scotch brite, and if the spray bomb doesn't last, then I will use Jet-Glo with a flex additive.

[Dsix36]

Most spray paints that are made specifically for use on vinyl, will actually soften most plastics/vinyl and soak into the material. This makes it almost impossible to scratch the color off without some real scuffs.

I am not sure what these helmets are made of, so this advice will be free of charge.

[phillip1]

If I were to a LM helmet I would definitely paint it, the brownish color looks kind of bad, I agree its not a fashion show but if a bit of paint and 10 mins of your time can make you look way cooler why on earth would you not do it? all things being equal I would rather look cool than not.
You never know when you will surface to an entire sinkhole of exotic Dominican girls swimming around on week end dives and in such an event looking cool is a definite big plus, IMO the LM brown color is not cool and I agree it should be painted.

[Texas Torpedo]

Thanks for the info everyone.. Sounds like I'll just make a go at painting it first.

[phillip1]

It works very well and last a long time, a quick touch up now and then and it's like new

[a64pilot]

Most spray paints that are made specifically for use on vinyl, will actually soften most plastics/vinyl and soak into the material. This makes it almost impossible to scratch the color off without some real scuffs.

I am not sure what these helmets are made of, so this advice will be free of charge.

I'm unfamiliar, got a brand name? I was just going to try Krylon flat black, but is there a specific plastic paint? Model airplane paint maybe? What you describe would be the way to go.