Trying to make helmet replica

[ParanoiD]

Dear fellow F1T members,

I am currently just graduated and and fortunately accepted quite a promising job.
I live in Jakarta where traffic is hell so I decided to ride motorbike to work instead of car (30mins by bike included traffic/60mins+ by car).

As we know helmet is critical for bikers as head protection and I decided to get some airbrushed work on my helmet to express my personality as an F1 enthusiast. It is quite rare in Indonesia as F1 is not famous among the people.

As I am a Vettel and Kimi Fans, I decided to go either one of their design. It is really a tough options as Vettel changed his design almost every race in 2011.

My main options is Vettel's Singapore 2010 helmet with Technicolor design. As it was my first GP I attended and I love the design as well.

Here is the picture of the helmet and I really appreciate if the members here can help me get good quality picture of the helmet from various angle to help my airbrush-guy do his job at the exellent level.



I will try to post the progress and final result here just in case any members thought doing the same thing.

Here is some of the tips fellow F1T members gave.

the metallic and hologram detail could be replicated using vinyls such as these:
http://www.hexis.co.uk/academy/Hexis/Co ... ds.html#40
http://www.hexis.co.uk/academy/Hexis/Co ... ds.html#44
http://www.hexis.co.uk/academy/Hexis/Co ... ds.html#39
http://www.hexis.co.uk/academy/Hexis/Co ... ds.html#36

ideally you should use a cast vinyl as that is easier to fit to a curved surface even still it will be a difficult design to replicate.

[Jeffsvilleusa]

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2010/09/24/v ... re-helmet/

http://wtf1.co.uk/post/1178377198

There, I googled for you

[ParanoiD]

Thanks Jeffsvilleusa!

Just came back from the airbrushed workshop and do some experiment

We figure out its kind of difficult to do the technicolor technique. Even if so, it would be very costly.

So I will be converting my design to any other design.
For the moment my choice would be Kimi's 2009 Monaco Helmet.

But I still prefer Vettel's 2011 helmet. Its just difficult to find good picture of it from various angle.

Anyone can help please do so and really appreciate it.
Danke

[dangerous]

I dont think that sparkly Vettel helmet is airbrushed - just looks like a fancy vinyl cut set of stickers to me.

Bet any vinyl sign maker would be able to get that effect real easy though, its a simple enough desaign - itd just be near impossible to do with PAINT.

[A13EX_f]

the metallic and hologram detail could be replicated using vinyls such as these:
http://www.hexis.co.uk/academy/Hexis/Co ... ds.html#40
http://www.hexis.co.uk/academy/Hexis/Co ... ds.html#44
http://www.hexis.co.uk/academy/Hexis/Co ... ds.html#39
http://www.hexis.co.uk/academy/Hexis/Co ... ds.html#36

ideally you should use a cast vinyl as that is easier to fit to a curved surface even still it will be a difficult design to replicate.

[strad]

After having an NFL helmet done, I think I can say that you probably need to do vinyl and then clear coat over the top.

[hardingfv32]

1) A13EX_f thanks for the site. Adds some new possibilities to one's painting schemes.

2) What is the base coat of this helmet: chrome or black?

Brian

[ParanoiD]

I dont think that sparkly Vettel helmet is airbrushed - just looks like a fancy vinyl cut set of stickers to me.

Bet any vinyl sign maker would be able to get that effect real easy though, its a simple enough desaign - itd just be near impossible to do with PAINT.

1) A13EX_f thanks for the site. Adds some new possibilities to one's painting schemes.

2) What is the base coat of this helmet: chrome or black?

Brian

Yeah, you are right. My airbrush-guy tell me that I should chrome-based the helmet first and cover it with vinyl sticker. I know a sticker guy here in Jakarta but still looking for a time to meet him to see if he could produce sticker effect like those. Will look for any possible way tho.

I show him several idea such as schumi's and kimi's helmet.Both are possible.
But still going for the Vettel's Singapore 2010 GP design.

the metallic and hologram detail could be replicated using vinyls such as these:
http://www.hexis.co.uk/academy/Hexis/Co ... ds.html#40
http://www.hexis.co.uk/academy/Hexis/Co ... ds.html#44
http://www.hexis.co.uk/academy/Hexis/Co ... ds.html#39
http://www.hexis.co.uk/academy/Hexis/Co ... ds.html#36

ideally you should use a cast vinyl as that is easier to fit to a curved surface even still it will be a difficult design to replicate.

Thats great site! thanks mate!

I believe H801O/Mist on http://www.hexis.co.uk/academy/Hexis/Co ... ds.html#36 is the one to be used.

If its vinyl sticker, I believe you could use heater gun to help mold the vinyl to fit the helmet curve.

[flynfrog]

that helmet is a black base with mostly vinyl work. No need for expensive chrome paint. There is a little bit of silver airbrush work at the top then covered with metallic stickers. My guess is sticker application will cost more than the paint.

[hardingfv32]

Do you think they clear coat over the vinyl stickers or would they be too unstable? Is there a more permanent/stable method of applying the decals other than the normal adhesive on the back of the decals?

Brian

[flynfrog]

Do you think they clear coat over the vinyl stickers or would they be too unstable? Is there a more permanent/stable method of applying the decals other than the normal adhesive on the back of the decals?

Brian

you can clear over vinyl it sorta works. You have to remember the life span of this helmet is measured in days. You could also try using a clear resin over it. You are still limited to the adhesive on the back of the vinyl and the compatibility of the clear to the decal.


If this were to be mass produced the design would be screened on and most likely not be holographic

[strad]

Thing is,,,I find that helmet to be gross...don't like it at all.
In the case of the NFL replica we put clear coat over the sticker and there was no reaction.
I guess it's a language thing, but to me a decal is a really thin transfer where a sticker is thicker and has glue on the back.
Those look to me to have a thickness and are IMO stickers.
Good Luck