MGoArtsAndCrafts (EDITED for those interested in one)

Submitted by M2NASA on

[EDIT:  I didn't make the helmet for financial gain but I see there's a lot of people that are interested in having one.  With the materials (helmet, paint, tape, decals, etc.), it cost me about $70 to get it as spot on as I could.  If I can get 15 people willing to pay $100 (the cost plus some for my time), I'm willing to make more.  Please let me know in the comments at the bottom if you're interested.  Only difference is the wings won't be as glossy as they look below.  I can make an ebay post so you're guaranteed that if I don't get 15 that you'll get your money back.]

Wanted to share my handiwork for the other obsessive-compulsive, artsy Michigan fans out there - just finished a replica mini-helmet of this year's M helmet with the satin finish.  I studied a bunch of photos to get the details as correct as possible with a mini-helmet.

For those wanting to do the same at home, here's the steps I took:

What you'll need:  Michigan Riddell Speed mini-helmet, navy blue model spray paint for plastics, clear satin spray paint, flat black spray paint

1)  With a screwdriver, take apart the helmet - take off the facemask, front and back bumpers (these are glued in so be careful when removing), clips, screws, and chin strap.  Take apart the parts of the chin strap as well.  Watch out for losing small parts.

2)  Remove the wings and stripes very carefully.  The wings can potentially have some of the maize come off onto the helmet itself, screwing them up.  If you're not comfortable taking off the wings, no big deal.  I noticed that the maize part of the full-size helmets are glossy so I went ahead and did this step, but it's risky.

2)  Tape off the exterior of the helmet, covering the edges so there's no bleed-through, using painters tape.  Tape off the helmet's ventilation holes from the inside so there's no bleed-through.  Spray paint the inside of the helmet with flat black paint.  You'll probably need two coats.

3)  When the inside is dry remove the masking tape covering the interior holes and the exterior shell.

4)  With a sweeping motion, give the exterior a thin full coat, making sure it covers the entire shell, of clear satin spray paint.  Do not do more than one coat or it'll lighten the color of the helmet.

5)  Paint the clips, two of the four screws, the front and back bumpers, chinstrap, and the metal chin strap parts, with navy blue spray paint.  Paint each side and once dry, finish them with the clear satin spray paint.  Note that regular navy spray paint from Home Depot is too light.  I used Tamiya TS-55 navy blue spray paint to most closely match the color of the helmet; bought at a hobby store.

6)  When everything is dry, put the wings and stripe back on the helmet.  You'll notice that when you get the standard mini-helmet that the back of the helmet is not correct.  When you put the wings back on, you'll have to stretch the stripes and space them so that the ends will be covered by the back bumper.

7)  Put all of the hardware back together.  The two screws you painted earlier go in the clips at the top of the facemask.  The non-painted ones go on the sides.

8)  I purchased these decals to finish the helmet:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/Michigan-Wolverines-2016-Mini-Football-Helmet-D…

9) ???

10) Profit!

mGrowOld

November 2nd, 2016 at 4:45 PM ^

Hey OP - I happen to know both Seth & Brian.  If you want to trade one of those pieces of shit you tossed together so haphazardly for....oh i dunno....say 40,000 very valuable MGopoints I could make that happen.  Only as a favor though - not cause I like them or cause it would look amazing on my bar.

 

SuperAaron34

November 2nd, 2016 at 2:03 PM ^

That's awesome!  I'm with a few of the others.  I don't have the attention to put one of those together...but I will totally shell out some $$ for one.  Seems like you have a business opportunity here...

M2NASA

November 2nd, 2016 at 2:21 PM ^

Trust me, I'd rather be doing stuff like this than actually working.  I get a great amount of enjoyment of putting in the time and getting a finished product.  The problem with this one is that the cost of making them and the time would mean having to sell them for like $100 a piece and that's exorbitant for a mini-helmet.

OlafThe5Star

November 3rd, 2016 at 11:25 AM ^

Is there something similar to first sale doctrine for trademarks? I think he is OK here -- this is either fair use or first sale doctrine. (the guy he bought the helmet from paid a royalty/license fee, so the University has been given its compensation, and can't dictate what you do with it after you buy it). But he would have to buy officialy licensed mini-helmets -- you couldn't get a generic blue helmet and put wings on it. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First-sale_doctrine

 

 

Evil Empire

November 2nd, 2016 at 2:19 PM ^

BTW I was astonished when a video with footage shot at Riddell's and Schutt's factories in Ohio showed that the base coat on our helmets was maize and the blue was painted over it.  I had always assumed it was the other way.

Take it away, Big Jon:

SuperAaron34

November 2nd, 2016 at 4:00 PM ^

I'd do the $100 for one of those.  I've got a few full size helmets...and yours does look even better than the full size one on mden for $400.  Just, like, my opinion man.  The $400 one looks pretty cool though...but you can't do anything other than put it on the shelf.  Might as well go with the smaller $100 one.  $29.95 for the helmet...$70.05 for your "artistic" work on the helmet.  ;-)

mgobleu

November 2nd, 2016 at 4:01 PM ^

Making your own memorabilia: The Michigan Difference®

Why, down south a ways you show up to any tattoo parlor on bye week and you can get your hands on all manner of different game worn(!) helmets, jerseys, gloves, etc.

M Gulo Gulo

November 10th, 2016 at 9:49 AM ^

I assume the wings have an adhesive on the back that allow them to stick to the helmet. What did you put the wings on to keep the adhesive in tact or did you apply another adhesive to re apply them? also how easy do the wings stretch to make the back of the helmet correct? 

M2NASA

November 10th, 2016 at 10:59 AM ^

I simply had the stripe end stuck to the outside of a storage bin on a shelf and let them hang while I was doing the painting.

The stripes stretched pretty easily by hand when I was applying them.  They look no worse for the wear.