I want to paint my bike helmet..help!?

I have a brand new bike helmet, all silver high gloss that I got from a friend to practice my airbrushing. I am a pretty advanced airbrusher but a lil confused on the process for a helmet.

I know you should prime the helmet first but in this case, I don't want to paint the helmet an entirely different color. I just want to add some graphics.

I bought automotive paint, dupli-color paint shop (black and clear) but I know it won't adhear if I just paint on top of the high gloss. What would be the best way for me to paint graphics and still keep that professional finish (steps and paint type)!? Thanks!

use a scotch brite pad on it to scuff it up... do your thing, and re-clear it

Without knowing what kind of paint, or gel-coat was used to color the helmet initially, you will not be guaranteed of any good results. I would mask off the area to airbrush, and prime that. Start with a base coat similar enough to the helmet color to blend in, and then airbrush your design. If you do not have a specific design, but just want to work "on the fly" on your design, you are pretty much going to have to prime the entire helmet and lay a new base coat on it to ensure that your airbrush paint will adhere to the helmet and not etch into the helmet which could lead to structural failure.

Please remember that if you paint a helmet you will no longer be able to use it to ride a motorcycle as the certification will be invalidated also paint reacts with some surfaces and weakens the helmet.

scuff the clear coat on the helmet. then clean ,paint the grafix. then clear coat again.

don't color your bike. you allow to lose!!

postie27 gave you wrong info.