Hey Trip? I?m sorry I did not clarify that if you hand paint the details with a brush that you don?t need to use masking tape. I?m sorry you learned the hard way. All you need is a steady hand, and lots of patience. Your helmet looks REALLY GOOD!
Have you tried to polish it yet? I can see that most of it has a good shine. If you plan to paint the small thin black line around the gray ear piece? I recommend using a Fine Point Permanent Marker. I used the ?BIC? brand titled ?Mark it.?
I realized it might be too late for you now but when you paint the helmet white and it has too many small bumps known as ?Orange Peel? Let it dry and ?Color Sand it.? Which means to sand off only the small bumps. I use a Contour Sanding Sponge the brand is ?mainstays projects? It is light gray in color, 4 1/2 x 5 1/2 in size and it comes 2 to a pack at Walmart in the house paint section. They run about 2 dollars. Make sure all the sanding dust is off before you apply more paint. I use my air compressor rather than water.
Trip? you might be able to still use this sponge if you have a lot of orange peel. But most important is to make sure you have enough coats of paint so you don?t sand past the paint and into the helmet it self. Then use Novis polish to bring it back to a better shine.
To install the aerators? As you know a made notes on the backside of them to help determine Left and Right and which way is up. Take a towel or a shirt to cradle the helmet on the backside and keep it from rolling over on it?s ears. Place the aerators into position. I used ?Zap a Gap CA glue. Use the long narrow extension and squeeze a few drops around the edge of the aerators. The glue will run behind it. Do NOT use any kicker! Let is just sit there and dry a few hours. If any glue is on the sides of the aerators, don?t worry it will dry clear.
I hope this will help!!!!
Thank you
Kevin W.
www.imperialsurplus.com