How to clean a helmet?, ...need help!...

[ANDI]

Can you guys tell me how can I clean a german helmet shell which was horrible "repainted", inside and outside?
Actually, a "smart guy" has coated it with a thick layer of white paint, in order to make it more "presentable" for the buyers...
The interesting part is that the shell is in VG condition, with only surface rust and I am "afraid" that there are visible traces of original paint, darkened with age. This is what I saw after a little chipping of the white paint.
So, can you tell me how to strip that white paint off? I have done little progress by chipping the paint with some plastic, but I think I am going to ruin my hands....
Paint thinners do very little....also I don't want to try with metal....
So, help!

[mihnea]

If you want to keep the original paint you could use very fine sand paper (>600), but it won’t be easy. Also try removing the paint with acetone sometimes is more powerful than paint thinners, and I'm talking from experience here.

[ANDI]

I would not try fine sandpaper becouse the layer of paint is very thick and has adhered very well to the helmet's surface.
I have also tryed 506 thinner which seems to soften the paint but then again, the layer is too thick.... ....
....as you said about acetona: "sometimes is more powerful"...
I almost have blisters on my hands from a piece of hard PVC which I use to strip that paint.

[mihnea]

I'm not kidding, at least the in my case dyo thinner vs. acetone, acetone wins.

Decanol might help, but I never tested it, see the technical note here ( http://www.policolor.ro/detalii.php?386&constructori5 ).

This post has been edited by mihnea on July 19, 2006 09:06 am

[ANDI]

Well, I bought a can of DECANOL...it works! Already, the exterior of the helmet is cleaned. It is a very powerfull solution, with the consistency of a satin lacquer and transparent. The paint is absorbing it like a sponge (brush applied) and, after 5 min., you can strip it off quite easily.
The interior of the helmet is next!
Many thanks for the advice Mihnea!

[ANDI]

This is it! M40, Q68.
Before.....

[ANDI]

After DECANOL was applied and the white paint stripped off....

[ANDI]

And after cleaning the remaining paint with some 506 thinner...
There can still be seen some faint traces of green paint in the lower part of the left rim of the helmet (where the picture looks glossy).
Next task is to clean the remaining white spots.....

[Claudiu1988]

What is 506 thinner?

[Claudiu1988]

I also have a M42 german helmet that was repainted. I will try to clean it with decanol and then with 506 thinner (after you will tell me what this is )

Here is the helmet

[Claudiu1988]

[Claudiu1988]

[ANDI]

Hello Claudiu! Sorry for the late reply but you know.....2 weeks of rest in the country side .
D506 and D509 are some powerfull solvents for car paints (!) and other paints. Still, they were for no use in my case.....I mean, DECANOL is as strong as an acid.

andi

[Claudiu1988]

I am still looking for a bottle of decanol, I went to Praktiker and other construction shops and I didn't found it. But I will keep looking until I find one .

From what shop did you get it ?

[ANDI]

Bucur-Obor store, chemical section.
Isn't there any shops with Policolor's products? (no advertising intended).