Painting Natural Leather N5A

[Mr. John Doe]

Hey guys. I have a natural leather N5A. I like the look but I'd prefer to have a black helmet. I've been told that if I paint it it will ruin it because of the clear coat that is applied at the factory. Is that true? Could I sand it and then paint it? Thanks. By the way, I did I search and couldn't find any information on this.

[DeputyMarshal]

Hey guys. I have a natural leather N5A.

What helmet did your department issue you?

Any modification you make to a helmet is likely to void it's certification for use as PPE. Of course, if you bought it as a wall hanger you can do whatever you want with it. Just don't modify it out of manufacturer's recommendations and expect to wear it to a fire.

[LeatherHed4Life]

http://www.msafire.com/cairns_repainting.html

[BKDRAFT]

Hey guys. I have a natural leather N5A. I like the look but I'd prefer to have a black helmet. I've been told that if I paint it it will ruin it because of the clear coat that is applied at the factory. Is that true? Could I sand it and then paint it? Thanks. By the way, I did I search and couldn't find any information on this.

Do not paint the helmet until you strip the clear coat off the helmet.

[MemphisE34a]

Do not paint the helmet until you strip the clear coat off the helmet.

It has been my experience that using any kind of paint stripper, even the natural citrus stuff, wreaks absolute havoc on leather helmets. The brim will crack within 1 year, especially if repeatedly exposed to high temps. The leather soaks the stripper up, it is impossible to completely remove, and the leather just dries out.

My process that I have had consistent good luck with is sanding or scuffing, self etching primer, 2-3 coats of hi-temp paint, and a couple of coats of enamel of appliance epoxy paint to top it off.

[Mr. John Doe]

So basically as long as I sand the clear coat off I can paint it just like a leather that came painted from the factory? That's pretty much what I figured, just wanted to make sure.

[BULL321]

Take a look in helmet picture thread, if you like to see photos of helemets that were refinished and how to do it. It's not hard at all.

[CaptOldTimer]

Hey guys. I have a natural leather N5A. I like the look but I'd prefer to have a black helmet. I've been told that if I paint it it will ruin it because of the clear coat that is applied at the factory. Is that true? Could I sand it and then paint it? Thanks. By the way, I did I search and couldn't find any information on this.

Just buy a black helmet and keep the other one at home.

[76Truck]

http://www.customlidpaint.com/

Send it here, it looks like he does good work.

[Mr. John Doe]

Just buy a black helmet and keep the other one at home.

If they weren't so damn expensive that's exactly what I'd do. I actually bought this one to replace an older N5A that I retired. I'd heard bad things about cairns paintjobs from the factory so I figured I'd just buy a natural one and paint it myself. Obviously I should of done a little bit more research beforehand.

[BKDRAFT]

It is your helmet and their are various methods. Whichever you decide be sure to remove the clear coat. Use a leather colored primer after the clear coat is removed. Then use an enamel of your choice to brush on several coats of black paint.

[Lewiston2FF]

Cairns soaks their leather helmets in boiled linseed oil before painting. The citrus stripper works but you have to make sure you dont use too much or leave it on too long. I would recommend applying it and leaving it for 30 minutes then with a plastic scraper taking the clear coat off. If there is still a significant amount of clear coat on the helmet reapply then repeat the removal process. Wash and rinse the helmet with soap and water and let it dry. Once dry put two coats of linseed oil on the helmet, I used a foam brush for this step. Then once the linseed oil absorbs mix 1:2 paint to linseed oil and brush on one coat, then 1:1 paint to linseed oil. (these coats will remain tacky) Let the helmet dry for 24 hours then 1-2 coats of straight oil based paint. Let the helmet dry and put it to work. I used the one shot sign paint from the firestore. I have in the past used grill paint and break caliper paint and found that they didnt stick to the leather well.

[BoxAlarm187]

Just buy a black helmet and keep the other one at home.

Everyone has an extra $500 laying on the coffee table....

[CaptOldTimer]

Everyone has an extra $500 laying on the coffee table....

I suppose. He never did say why he bought it natural in the first place. I guess his dept didn't really care about the color. ummm?


You need 500?

[BoxAlarm187]

You need 500?

Next time you're at the RFDCU, make a quick withdrawal for me.

[CaptOldTimer]

Next time you're at the RFDCU, make a quick withdrawal for me.

I'll just transfer it to you. Give me your bank account and routing number!!

[Mr. John Doe]

I appreciate all the advice guys. On second thought, though, I did spend about $500 on it, so I think I'll send it to someone who knows what they're doing and have them paint it. I'm not really in the mood to ruin my brand new lid.

[Rescue101]

Scuff sand the clear and paint it.What do you think CLEAR is? T.C.

[MassFireGuy]

What helmet did your department issue you?

Any modification you make to a helmet is likely to void it's certification for use as PPE. Of course, if you bought it as a wall hanger you can do whatever you want with it. Just don't modify it out of manufacturer's recommendations and expect to wear it to a fire.

Here we go with this again...

The kid asked you how to repaint a helmet, not call the NFPA police.

To the OP, other than this, you have been given some good advice on how to go about it. I did a buddy's one time. We just sanded it, and then spray painted it.

[MemphisE34a]

I would seriously consider not using any form of stripper. I think you will find it wreaks havoc on the leather. No amount of soap and water will ever get rid of all of it and the leather will dry out and crack around the brim - promise.

Aside from that, nut up a little. What's the worst that can happen. When you get done, if you use it correctly it will be in one of the worst environents that man is able to enter and operate. A little smoke after a good job or two will cover up any blemishes that are less than perfect.

Do it yourself for about $20.