What paint for helmets and bikes in the UK?

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Pimpin gimp

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Hi all, I've always just used over thinned auto paint like PPG base coats for my airbrushing, but it's a pain if I want a new colour as it has to be bought in such large quantities. Now that I am planning to do things properly I thought I buy some proper paint.

I can get Auto-Air and wicked pretty easily, are they solvent paints? I don't have an especially warm environment to work in so don't want a solely water based product and I'm used to quick flash times of proper auto paint.
does AA paint dry quickly? Wicked looks like it will do the trick as it has a proportion of solvent, and you can reduce too.

Ive got some createx but never really used it other than trying to learn some brush control as it doesn't dry very quickly. Would createx work on a helmet under 2k lacquer if I used a reducer or additive?

Ive literally got no idea about paint, help! I'll probably buy from everythingairbrush.com or eBay unless anyone has a recommendation for other online shops.

Cheers.
 
Try 'Inspire', http://www.specialistpaints.com/products/inspire-airbrush-baseInspire Custom Airbrush Paints - Candy, Base, Pearl, Flip Paint they are made in the UK and handle just like or bettr than House of Kolor, if that rings a bell.

It is urethane based paint, so you need protection, but if the artwork will be exposed to outdoor conditions you can't get any better than uros. Adden advantage is that you can use candies in your artwork (which are spectacular). Acrylic based candies suck big time and will fade in a matter of weeks after being in the sunlight.
 
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Cheers, I did consider inspire as I've used specialist paints for other things before.
Presume I can use 2k clear over them? I find it's the best way to protect things.

Next plan is to do a helmet like leopard print.
 
Yeah, you should clear lack the art work with 2k after it's finished. I used PPG a few times in the past but it felt like syrup. Useless stuff for airbrushing. Inspire is beyond compare to that paint.
 
Hey man, just putting in my two cents.....Wicked with reducer goes on touch dry (you can see it happening as you spray) even in my draughty old shed in the depths of winter. Never had any issues, but if you had concerns a quick blast of a heat gun would ease your mind I think.
 
id also suggest inspire but u were first :p, saw it being used next to wicked by some pro, he says its europes HoK yet cheaper.
 
I'll give inspire a go then. Think the clear in the garage is lechler at the moment, goes on pretty nice.
I'll be doing it all in the garage so hopefully the cold won't be too much of an issue, the lid I posted in my intro post was done over a few very, very cold weeks last winter, so I don't want to use crap paint as I use it in terrible conditions. No point making my work any worse!
 
Has anyone got any idea how this effect is created for the visor.
The guy selling it says the visor is totally see through!!
Would love to do something similar, but cant figure out how he's done it.
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Thanks for that strictly, so easy when you know how lol,
tinted visors aren't road legal in the UK, so that type of design definately won't be, but they seem very popular nonetheless.
 
Not been on here for ages so a bit late to this thread .I have to disagree with the comments about the water based paints regarding flash off and drying times .I have been using them for years in SMART repair outside all weathers and temperatures .these paints dry by air movement and a little heat does help as does thin light coats .I use just an hairdryer for this when out doing a bumper repair etc and have never had any issue .With purpose AB paint i have been using Trident WB and i have to say it works great even in a cold garage .You should be using some form of PPE with any paint and especially 2k lacquer .I have used various lechler 2k clears over the years and they have all worked great in the cold as long as you use the correct hardener and thinner for the time of year .There are however some new clears on the market that air dry very quickly like 15 mins ,but they do come at a premium cost .
 
That's pretty interesting, cheers. It's good to hear from people that know what they're doing as I use a lot of guesswork!
rest assured that I spray 2k very rarely, normally outdoors, and always with a respirator.

Cheers.
 
Not been on here for ages so a bit late to this thread .I have to disagree with the comments about the water based paints regarding flash off and drying times .I have been using them for years in SMART repair outside all weathers and temperatures .these paints dry by air movement and a little heat does help as does thin light coats .I use just an hairdryer for this when out doing a bumper repair etc and have never had any issue .With purpose AB paint i have been using Trident WB and i have to say it works great even in a cold garage .You should be using some form of PPE with any paint and especially 2k lacquer .I have used various lechler 2k clears over the years and they have all worked great in the cold as long as you use the correct hardener and thinner for the time of year .There are however some new clears on the market that air dry very quickly like 15 mins ,but they do come at a premium cost .

I'm with you on this one ferret, no probs with waterbased in my little shed even in winter.
 
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