A customer wants me to paint his hardhat to match the old maroon, black, and tan Copenhagen hat. Is it possible to get paint to adhere to the plastic or is this a lost cause?
He also asked about vinyl but I feel there is too many curves to even attempt it. Any info greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Herbie Posted by Ryan Ursta (Member # 1738) on :
Scott, I have recieved success painting plastic with dupont automotive paint mixed with a plastic bonding agent. I get mine from a local body shop supplier/parts store. I do not have a gun so i have them mix it in rattle cans. I've done numerous plastic interior parts in my truck.(you dont even need primer, just clean with degreaser and alcohol and spray directly) You might also be able to try the new krylon fusion paint for plastic?
Hope this helps
-Ryan
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
Before you paint a hard hat, make sure that it will conform to OSHA standards afterwards. My hard hat says that any painting of it will void the warranty and make it non-complying.
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
You can paint anything with proper preperation and if you don't gamble, you stay where you are Posted by Kissymatina (Member # 2028) on :
Bruce is right. MOST hardhats will be non-complaint if they're painted. I say most only because I've never seen one that would be ok to paint, but there may be an oddball out there.
Also, those dark colors will attract UV more and deteriorate the hat quicker. Most of the hats I've seen are good for 5 years. The manufacturer figures after that 5 years, the hat will have enough stress damage & deterioration to no longer protect you. Add more UV than they figured and it'll weaken quicker. The expiration date is usually stamped inside the bill.
If it's one he just wants to hang in his office to look cool, try it, what's the worse that could happen? But besides the OSHA issue, if ya do it all pretty and this guy actually works for a living, it'll be all scuffed, scratched and trashed inside a week anyway.
Posted by Michael Berry (Member # 2604) on :
Maybe try the Krylon Fusion spraypaint?
Posted by Jerry VanHorn (Member # 4704) on :
I was going to say Fusion also, but I doubt you will find the colors you need.
I am a helmet painter of 600 + helmets. Most helmets warn against painting. Every warning label in the US is usually the result of some idiot sueing someone else. So common sense is best. We use epoxy primers, urethane enamel basecoats, and urethane clears on racing helmets. I doubt that your construction worker is willing to pay $500+ for a custom paint job so I guess auto spray bomb cans are the way to go.
[ June 05, 2004, 10:09 PM: Message edited by: Jerry VanHorn ]
Posted by Scott Niska (Member # 4350) on :
Thanks all for your help. I'll let the customer know about all of this and see where he stands and where exactly this hat is gonna be used. Thanks again.
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