Paint for a helmet

I want to paint my race helmet. Is this ok? What paint should i use? I'm just doing the left half red, can I use krylon with no issues?

Sand it to create a surface with grip for the paint and spray away.

Check with your helmet manufacturer, certain products used for prepping can break down the shell or inner liner. Certain paints are also a no-no. I've heard no lacquer based stuff, and you should use acrylic based paint, but the safe bet is to call whoever made your helmet and check first.

Edit: sanding too deep will also compromise the shell.

Yeah, it's been a long time since they would tell you not to due to concern over integrity. Just make sure that your paint works with the material you're covering.

I just scuff it and paint with whatever can of white paint I have on hand.

Got the original care instructions for the helmet? My Simpson and my Bell both gave instructions on how to paint, including the grit of sandpaper to use.

You might consider vinyl wrap. I've seen that done to great effect on helmets. Trim with an x-acto knife, and stick it.

I have used automotive paint and water based air brush paint in the past. You just need to skuff enough to get some bite to it, but make sure to clean it and use wax and grease remover on it prior to skuffing, or you will make it that much more likely to ruin the paint job before you start.

I didn't even scuff mine, just removed what trim I could, masked off everything I didn't want paint on, and hit it with paint. (Green-purple flop paint from Murray's, because it was 2004)

It got scratched all to hell because I never had a helmet bag until late in that helmet's life, but the paint never chipped or flaked.

I was very cautious about preventing runs. I think I fogged on six or seven very light coats of the base coat, and then just kept misting on the flop coat until the can ran out. Then the clear. It looked really silly and lame but that was kind of the effect I was going for. Nobody would ever mistake my helmet for theirs

Still have that helmet, it's on the mantel over my desk. I'd take a pic if I didn't leave all of my functional cameras at work.