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Helmet Painting Questions

Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 12:24 pm
by Wells
Hello,
Just a few quick questions. I have a Chinese repro M40 Stahlhelm. As you can guess, the paint job on it sucks. So I was planning on repainting it. Should I remove the paint that is already on the helmet? If so, what is the best way of doing this? Also, I was thinking of painting the helmet Tamiya NATO black (I've seen someone else do this and thought it looked great) but I was wondering if there was any Tamiya alternatives to RAL 6006?
Thanks!

Re: Helmet Painting Questions

Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 2:39 pm
by RZM
I'd strip it.that way if it's scratched the awful paint won't show through. I used a razor for the heavy paint..the type for scraping windows works good just watch your fingers. Then you can fine sand it with 150 grit sand paper on a mouse sander for the rest.
As for paints..???

Re: Helmet Painting Questions

Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 9:11 pm
by peiper1944
Personally i would leave the original paint on to act as a primer, the more coats of paint
the better imho, especially if you want to use some aluminium oxide to act as a rough finish

Re: Helmet Painting Questions

Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 9:11 pm
by Wells
Thanks, guys!

Re: Helmet Painting Questions

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 9:34 am
by fallschirmjaeger
strip it with paint stripper. Then use 2 coats of paint and aluminum oxide if you are not after a very early war version!

p.s. be prepared to 'dig out' what seems to be car body filler on it, they use this to fill in little dents.....I prefer the dents!

Re: Helmet Painting Questions

Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 1:11 pm
by RZM
fallschirmjaeger wrote:strip it with paint stripper. Then use 2 coats of paint and aluminum oxide if you are not after a very early war version!

p.s. be prepared to 'dig out' what seems to be car body filler on it, they use this to fill in little dents.....I prefer the dents!
That's what they did on my M40/55. Thought it was primer.