Glossy Helmet

[Spookymufu]

Hi everyone, first post here so if this is in the wrong spot sorry and of course please move it, but, I recently bought a helmet from from Scootch and its awesome, but, I would like to get it more glossy, as per Scootchs suggestion I tried car wax but it didnt seem to make much of a differance, so I was curious what other people might recommend, the helmet is painted with Rustoleum Gloss White.

 

I have seen football helmets coated with Future Floor Polish and was curious if this might work to shine it up with out damaging it?

 

Thanks, Scott

Edited February 24, 2013 by Spookymufu

[Kessel Run[TK]]

Future polish is good stuff, model makers use it on clear plastic parts to take out small scratches, it fills in small nicks and kind of leaves a thin layer like a sealer / clear coat but, it is not permanent and MAY yellow over time. I have one of scootche's buckets myself its a great lid. try the future on a small area first to see if you like the results. you can also consider a spray on clear coat in simi gloss or gloss. just remeber to get as much of that wax off as you can, or it can cause problems if you try a clear coat. other wise few more layers of wax. holpe that helps some.

[Minuteman]

I would recommend "Novus Plastic Polish No. 1" to get the helmet glossy.

[fritzthefox]

The thing to remember about clear coats is that many of them yellow over time. (Urethanes are very prone to this) And an incompatible formula can attack the paint. Proceed with caution.

 

I don't know how well Novus would work on a painted finish, but it would be a more conservative experiment. I'd try it first, preferably on a scrap or in a less visible spot.

Edited February 24, 2013 by fritzthefox

[Spookymufu]

thanks for the replys, not sure where I would get Novus around here doesnt sound like something thats sold in Walmart. I guess I should add that this helmet will be in a display case with LED lighting.

Edited February 24, 2013 by Spookymufu

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

You can try an auto polish but just don't rub too hard you may find that you polish through the painted surface and down to the base.

[Spookymufu]

You can try an auto polish but just don't rub too hard you may find that you polish through the painted surface and down to the base.

 

yeah thats what I tried first, didnt do too much.

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

I think you will find that the problem is the paint will bee too thin to give a proper buffing too, on cars you rub down first with a 1200 grit sandpaper wet (some use ultra fine) then you use a buffing machine and compound polish, once this is done you use a final fill n glaze polish. That's us how you get the deep shine, the problem is that the sanding and buffing removes paint so if its not thick enough then you rub through to the base. Maybe even try bees wax or clear shoe polish, may be worth a try.