No matter how much you like your welding helmet, whether it’s been in the family for decades or you’ve picked it up on a whim, you’re going to have to give it a makeover sooner or later.
The reason is obvious: no one wants to wear a boring-looking helmet every time they hop under the hood of the car or take a look inside the engine compartment of an old motorcycle.
With some skills and a few supplies, however, you can add just enough color and style so that when everyone sees your welders helmet, they would want one too.
Many people say that painting your welding helmet looks so cool. I happen to agree. So, if you want to know how to paint a welding helmet like a pro, read this article and learn how to do it. This article is not to explain to you the entire process of painting the helmet.
How to Paint a Welding Helmet? Step By Step Guide
Step 1: Collect the Required Things
Step 2: Make a Decision About Welding Helmet Design
Step 3: Eliminate the Helmet’s Headgear & Lens
Step 4: Clean the Helmet
Step 5: Place the Newspaper Inside the Helmet
Step 6: Put in Primer
Step 7: Apply Filler Paint
Step 8: Paint the Helmet with Any Colour
Step 9: Let Helmet Dry
Painting a welding helmet is a process that takes time and patience. It may seem like a daunting task, but with the right tools and materials, you can make your helmet look brand new in no time!
Now, I will explain to you all the above steps one by one in detail.
1. Collect the Required Things
The first thing you’ll need to do when painting a welding helmet is gathered your materials. You’ll need:
| 1 | A welding helmet |
| 2 | Paint brushes of various sizes, including one small enough to fit into the vents |
| 3 | A paint roller and tray |
| 4 | A spray bottle filled with water |
| 5 | Sandpaper in different grits, ranging from very coarse to fine grit (get these at a hardware store) |
| 6 | A respirator mask or other type of air filter (optional) |
| 7 | Duct Tape |
A material that is fire-resistant will help prevent the fumes and heat from causing damage to your helmet.
Another good material to use is paint spray cans, as they will create a smooth, even surface without brush strokes or ripples.
I also recommend a mask, painter’s tape, brushes, and other tools to facilitate the process. Be sure to get the right kind of mask so that you are not inhaling fumes from the paint during this process.
Duct tape is optional but recommended for the first few layers in case you mess up. If you’re painting over yellow, you might want to start with purple so the process goes by more quickly.
2. Make a Decision About Welding Helmet Design
Decide what you want your welding helmet’s design to look like. This is where the fun starts! The options are almost endless because it is important to make sure your helmet looks exactly how you want it to.
Do you prefer one color with some designs on the front or back? Or maybe two colors with different pictures and designs on each side? You can also paint flames, skulls, or whatever you want onto your welding helmet.
Once this decision has been made, you are ready to proceed to the next step easily.
3. Eliminate the Helmet’s Headgear & Lens
You can paint your helmet with the lens in place, but in order to really take advantage of that shiny surface, it’s a good idea to remove the headgear while you work on it.
The easiest way to paint a helmet is to remove the lens and headgear. That way, you can be more creative with your design and freehand paint whatever you want on the helmet.
You can easily remove your welding helmet’s headgear by unscrewing the circular plates at the top or in between each ear. Remove these and put them on a soft surface. This will make it easier to paint once you have finished applying primer and finishing coat.
You know the saying ‘once you pop, you can’t stop. Well, that’s no different with your welding helmet lenses. Once they are inserted into place, they will pop right back out when you try to remove them.
It’s always best to check with the user manual before removing parts.
Wearing safety goggles, remove the lens and headgear from the helmet. Cover them with newspaper, masking tape, or paper towels to protect them from overspray.
4. Clean the Helmet
Clean the helmet. If you’re painting a brand-new helmet, it’s probably clean. If you’re painting an old helmet, though, you’ll want to make sure it’s as clean as possible before starting.
You can use soap and water to clean the helmet, but if there’s rust or residue from past paint jobs, you may need something stronger. You can use steel wool or sandpaper for this purpose.
Mask off the area around the helmet so that your new paint job doesn’t get on anything else in the room (like a table or the floor). Use painter’s tape or masking paper to cover up any parts of the helmet that aren’t going to be painted black or silver.
For example, if you’re painting a yellow welding helmet silver, mask off everything except for where that yellow will go because you don’t want any silver paint getting on those areas.
It’s also important to make sure that any welding helmets you buy are in good condition. This is because cracks, dents, and other imperfections can be dangerous for heat protection and could cause headaches or eye damage.
If you have a helmet that is cracked or dented, you will have to get a new one. There are plenty of things that you can do on the welding helmet for decoration and protection, but don’t let damaged parts be one of them.
5. Place the Newspaper Inside the Helmet
One of the easiest ways to paint a welding helmet is to tape newspaper over the inside. This will prevent paint from getting on your face and eyes, which can be a major safety hazard.
Lay down newspaper or other paper on a flat surface, such as an old towel or blanket. If possible, use a wavering or slightly fuzzy edge of the paper so that it’s easier to tear off once you’re done painting.
Take your helmet and place it upside-down on top of the paper. You might want to put some weight on top of it so that it doesn’t move around while you’re applying paint.
Using a brush or sponge, apply a layer of white latex paint on top of the helmet (not inside!). Wait until this layer has dried before applying another coat. Try not to go over more than two layers at most!
Once the second layer has dried completely (about 30 minutes), remove the newspaper carefully from inside your helmet using scissors or another sharp tool.
6. Put in Primer
It is important to apply a primer to your welding helmet before you start painting it. This will ensure that the paint sticks properly, and it will make sure that the surface of your helmet is protected.
If you don’t apply a primer, then you could run into problems with the paint chipping or peeling off of your helmet.
The primer will help prevent this from happening by creating an even surface for the paint to adhere to. It also creates a barrier between your helmet and the air around it.
There are many different kinds of primers available, and each one has its own benefits and drawbacks.
Some primers are designed for specific types of surfaces, such as wood or metal, while others can be used on almost any kind of material, including plastics or glass.
When choosing which type of primer to use on your welding helmet, think about the following things:
| No. | Things to Consider |
| 1 | What kind of surface it’s made out of (metal) |
| 2 | How much time do you have before painting begins (less than two weeks) |
| 3 | How much money do you want to spend on this project (under $20) |
| 4 | Where you’re going to store your supplies (outside) |
| 5 | Which brand has good reviews online? |
| 6 | Go for a such primer that is fire resistant and quality level. |
7. Apply Filler Paint
Filler paint, also called basecoat, is used to cover the surface of an object before applying a topcoat. Filler paint is applied in layers, which allows for the topcoat to be applied evenly.
The first layer of filler paint should be applied directly over the surface of the helmet. This layer should be thin but still opaque enough to cover all of the helmet’s imperfections and create a smooth surface for the next layer.
If you have never painted before, it can be difficult to judge how much filler is needed for this first coat. You can always apply too much and then remove some of it later with sandpaper or steel wool.
Once your first layer has been applied, let it dry completely before adding another coat. This will ensure that your second coat does not run into any wet spots from the first coat and create uneven lines when you add more layers later on.
8. Paint the Helmet with Any Colour
You can find spray paint at your local hardware store or online. Spray paint is a type of paint that comes in an aerosol can, which means you don’t need to use brushes or rollers to apply it.
Spray painting a welding helmet will require two coats of paint. You should wait for each coat to dry before applying the next coat. This is important because if you don’t wait long enough between each coat, the colors may run together and create an uneven finish.
When spraying your helmet, try not to get too close to it so that you don’t leave any drips or streaks on it.
- By Using Paintbrush
Spray paint the outside of your helmet and let it dry for several hours. If you want to add a second color, repeat step 1.
Using a paintbrush or sponge, apply a layer of primer over the entire surface of your helmet. Let dry for at least 2 hours.
Apply a topcoat to the surface of your helmet, making sure that it’s smooth and even throughout the entire piece. Let dry for at least 24 hours before handling or wearing your new custom-designed welding helmet!
- By Using Spray Paint
To paint a welding helmet, first, spray paint the helmet with your desired color. You can choose from black or blue, but we prefer red. After you’ve sprayed it with one color, let it dry, and then spray another layer on top of that.
This will ensure that your welding helmet is completely covered in paint and doesn’t chip off over time. If you want to make sure that your helmet stays in good shape, I recommend not washing it unless absolutely necessary!
After reading both ways of paintbrush and spray paint, I personally recommend you to go for spray paint because of the effective process of painting the welding helmet.
9. Let Helmet Dry
The last step is to let it dry.
Now that you’ve painted your welding helmet, you can see how beautiful it looks! But before you go out and show off your new look, let it dry for 24 hours.
The reason for this is simple you don’t want to ruin all of your hard work by putting on your helmet with paint still wet. The paint will smear and rub off on everything, including your face, which will make you look like an absolute mess.
If you’re in a rush, try letting the helmet sit on top of a radiator or heating vent overnight so the paint can dry faster.
But if you’re a little more patient and willing to wait 24 hours? Then just set it down somewhere safe where no one can bump into it accidentally and knock over anything important (or break anything fragile).
Once your helmet has dried, put it on and make sure that everything fits comfortably and securely. If there are any gaps between the helmet and your face or neck, fix those now with some more masking tape before painting over them again with more latex paint.
What Paint to Use on a Welding Helmet?
If you’re looking for the best paint to use on a welding helmet, I have got you covered. I have done the research and found that there are four main types of paint that you can choose from:
Acrylic Paints:
Acrylic paints are really easy to clean, and they don’t require any special equipment or chemicals to make sure they dry properly. They’re also great at resisting scratches and fading in sunlight.
Enamel Paints:
Enamel paints are great for protecting against rust, but they tend to be more difficult to apply than acrylic paints. They need to be applied with a brush instead of sprayed on as acrylics do.
Polyurethane Paints:
Polyurethane paints are usually used on things like cars or boats because they have an incredibly hard finish that makes them pretty much impossible to scratch off or chip off over time (which is why they’re so popular for boat hulls!).
However, if you use them on your helmet, remember that polyurethane paints require two coats before you can use them safely without fear of losing your skin!
Spray Paints:
Spray paints are usually the best option because they can be applied quickly and easily. They also tend to last longer than other kinds of paint because they’re applied in a single coat.
However, spray paint is also less forgiving than other types of paint. If you make a mistake while using spray paint, it’s harder to cover up than with a brush or roll-on paint.
Spray paint also has some limitations: for example, it may not work well on glossy surfaces like plastic or glass.
Important Factors to Consider Before Painting a Welding Helmet
OSHA says it’s probably safe to paint your welding helmet. There are, however, a few things to remember when you decide to do so:
Paint Your Helmet in a Well-Ventilated Area
If you’re going to paint your helmet, make sure that you do so in a well-ventilated area that won’t have any fumes or dust in it. Otherwise, this could be very dangerous for you and anyone else around you.
Wear Protective Gear When Painting Your Helmet
You should never wear a mask when painting your helmet unless it has been tested and approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). You should also wear gloves, eye protection, and long sleeves when painting your helmet so that it doesn’t get on your skin or clothing.
Utilize Fire Resistant Material
Welding helmets are made of a sturdy material called fiberglass, which is excellent for withstanding high temperatures. This makes them ideal for use in welding environments.
However, they will not withstand the heat of a paint gun or sprayer. In order to protect your helmet from damage when painting it, you’ll want to use fire-resistant paints and primers.
Never Paint a Welding Helmet Comprises of Dents and Cracks
If your welding helmet has dents or cracks in it, then it’s time for a new one. Cracks and dents can compromise a welding helmet’s effectiveness, which is dangerous if not remedied.
Dents and cracks can allow sparks to penetrate through them and burn your face. In addition, dents or cracks may also allow harmful ultraviolet rays to enter through them, which can cause eye damage over time.
Follow Manufacturer’s Instructions
If the manufacturer says it’s not safe to paint their product, DON’T DO IT! They have their reasons. And they’re probably right.
If the manufacturer says it’s safe to paint their product. Well, maybe they’re right too! But be careful anyway! Just because something is safe doesn’t mean it won’t hurt someone else (or even yourself) later on down the road if something goes wrong during use.
Always read instructions carefully before using any product, especially one related specifically to safety equipment like this one!
Paint Should not Affect the Helmet.
As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to avoid painting anything made from metal with solvent-based paint. This is because solvent-based paints can react with metal and cause corrosion or discoloration.
If you’re looking for solvent-based paint, there are some out there that are specially formulated for metal and won’t leave any residue behind when applied correctly.
However, if you’re going for water-based paint, then you’ll be fine as long as you don’t mix them with solvents anywhere along the way (don’t use an oil-based primer before applying a water-based topcoat).
Precautions to Adopt for Painting a Welding Helmet
The first thing you need to know about painting your welding helmet is that it’s not as easy as painting a car. You have to be careful not to get the paint on any part of your face because even the smallest amount could cause irritation and make you sick.
If you’re going to be painting your helmet yourself, make sure that you’ve got all of the necessary supplies on hand before you start that way. If something happens and you have to stop in mid-project, it won’t be too much of a hassle to pick up where you left off.
Make sure that your hands are clean and dry before handling the paint can. If they’re not clean, there’s a chance that some of the oil from your hands will transfer onto the can, which could ruin its seal or loosen its lid when it comes time for storage.
To avoid this problem entirely, wear gloves while painting! The last thing anyone wants is for their hands to end up covered in fresh paint.
When applying paint with a brush or roller, keep them clean by dipping them into the water every few minutes; this will help remove any excess dust from their surface so that there isn’t any chance of getting it stuck inside once.
Final Words!
Painting a welding helmet is a fun, easy, and simple way to customize your helmet. However, the most important step is to take the time and choose a paint that is durable and that will bond to the plastic shell of the helmet.
Rustoleum Painter’s Touch is a great option. It dried quickly and was designed to adhere to many surfaces, including plastic.
That’s it! You have a better understanding of how to paint a welding helmet rather than just covering the outside shell.
There’s no reason for not making your welds look good, so give these ideas a try and then take all the credit for your “beautiful welds.”
FAQs:
Is it safe to paint a welding helmet?
It is safe to paint a welding helmet as long as you follow all safety precautions. When painting your helmet, you should wear protective gloves, use a respirator and wear eye protection. You should also make sure that your garage door is open or that any other appliances in the house are turned off to create an open space for proper ventilation.
How do I keep my welding helmet clean?
To keep your welding helmet working properly and looking good, you need to clean it frequently. Remove any metal shavings with a magnet when possible, and spray the lens with a glass cleaner. In addition to cleaning your helmet with glass cleaner and a soft cloth, you may want to use a stronger soap such as dish soap or even Comet to clean out stubborn deposits. Rinse the soap off with water in warm or hot weather (cool in cold weather) and let it air dry.
