Hi all
Thinking about painting my own helmet with those Uni POSCA paint pens.
But I’m unsure how to seal it when it’s done.
Obviously I don’t want to compromise the helmet’s safety.

I don’t really know what would damage the very thin outer plastic or polystyrene.

Anyone know?

Just realised I’ve opened myself up to ‘helmet’ gags – ah well 🙂

Pretty much everything will affect the protection your lid gives.

Prolly the best thing to do is keep it in a dark hermetically sealed box and don’t wear it at all. In fact dont leave the house or you might die.
Or you might die if you stay inside.

Oooh woe!!!
THINK OF THE KITTENS!!!!

I’d go for a clear lacquer, Halfords rattle can.

That’s from the perspective of protecting the paint, not your head 😉
I’ve used it in a modelmaking capacity over paint on primer on (moulded/sheet) polystyrene and it didn’t have any visible effect on the plastic. I would mask off the expanded ps shell just in case though.

Yep – masking the polystyrene, although tedious, was something I was going to do.

As the shell is so thin, do I need to look for some particularly flexible lacquer (I’m thinking matt btw).

Tamiya ad a couple of other companies make some nice colour shades in the model paints which are meant to be slightly flexible as they are sprayed on the inside of the shell, (shells take some impacts)
i think they do a clear laquer too,
can be found through most the R/C model shops, not the cheapest mind, asits asmall tin but shouldo the job!

Thanks Timmo. There’s a local model shop I can try.
All I need now is a really good idea for the paint style. I wish it was a full face – they’re much more design-friendly!