Advice needed: Helmet polishing

[AxelVBG]

I'm finally soon done with my Biker Scout! But I have one last thing to fix,.. and that's the helmet.

 

Due to some bubble wrap marks in the paint I had to wet sand the helmet (to get rid of them), and because of that, the helmet's finish is now very scratched and dull. Though, I kind of like this scratched and dull finish, because I want it to have a worn and weathered look to it, but I maybe want to polish it up a bit so that it doesn't look too scratched and so that it matches the armor's finish a little better.

 

Do you guys have any suggestions or tips on how I can polish it up?

 

 

Thanks for help!

[Stroker]

Some good car polish a buffing compound. I don't know what you guys have over there but I use turtle wax. Also if you wanna know some of those deeper scratches out use a 1200 grit or higher sandpaper wet.

[Chef]

You need a cutting compound such a Farecla G3.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Farecla-G3-Rubbing-Compound-Regular-Cutting-Paste-400g-Car-Polishing-cloth-/111435113786?hash=item19f20ce53a:m:mztS0uvJ0AZ2DR0QwqeHPgg

 

It's basically a harsh polish. It's the middle bit between really fine wet and dry sandpaper and a final polish.

 

Works exactly the same as a polish, put a bit on a damp cloth and just rub and buff until the marks are removed.

Then hit with a final polish such as G10 or equivalent.

[AxelVBG]

Thank you guys for these tips!

 

I haven't though decided yet if I want to polish it up or not, I like this dull look, but I will look into these methods because I guess I could polish the helmet later if want to.

[AxelVBG]

You need a cutting compound such a Farecla G3.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Farecla-G3-Rubbing-Compound-Regular-Cutting-Paste-400g-Car-Polishing-cloth-/111435113786?hash=item19f20ce53a:m:mztS0uvJ0AZ2DR0QwqeHPgg

 

 

Just one question: Does this compound you mentioned just remove the scratches or does it also give the helmet a gloss finish?

 

The reason why I ask this is because I would like to get rid of most of the scratches but I'm not sure if I really want the helmet to have a high gloss finish.

[Chef]

with all polish, it will create a gloss finish on a gloss paint, the more highly polished you go.

 

G3 will polish to a gloss no problem.

 

If you're wanting a matte finish, but scratch removal, you'd probably need to use a very very fine wet and dry paper, such as 2500 grit.

 

Ultimately it depends on the scratches that are left in the paint, as to what best grade of paper to use.

[AxelVBG]

Ok, I understand. Thanks!

 

And here comes a maybe very dumb question: If the G3 compound itself gives the helmet a gloss finish, is the G10 polish then really necessary?

[Chef]

Depends on how shiny you want it...

 

If you were to ask the owner of a Porsche 911 they would say yes... If you were to ask the owner of a Fiat Panda... they'd probably say no.