Tips On Renovating Hand Painted Fire Helmet Shields

By Janet Snyder


Firefighters wear helmet to safeguard them from cinders, falling objects, and fire. These helmets have been in use for decades, and their shape has remained almost the same up to now. However their compositions have shifted from traditional leather to metallic structures such as nickel, aluminum, brass, and eventually lightweight headgears made of polymers, and different types of plastics. The leatherhead type has been used as a firefighting symbol. With little training, it is possible to refurbish hand painted fire helmet shields. They can be painted according to personal taste and preference.

Make a point of conducting the repair without necessarily contracting a service provided. The popular helmet that is remembered until today is the brass and beaver type. An anonymous sculptor who was honoring a firefighter who had died on the line of duty designed this protective headgear. The structures were later on adopted and manufactured in bulk. To master the refurbishing process requires keen eye for detail, willingness to learn, and practice. Before starting the repair, examine the extent of damages.

Make a point of purchasing the repair supplies from competent and reliable supplier. Online purchases must be made at established and reliable sites. The areas that require to be repaired should be examined. Make sure the interior parts are in good shape. Check whether the inner lining has any worn spot or tears. Other things that require immediate attention are missing portions, broken, and missing parts. Never retain old earflaps that show lines of weakness. Cover the holes and missing parts by the furnace cement.

Other common supplies required during the refurbishing process include sandpaper, pliers, linseed oil, and a knife. Before the restoration process commences, the shield and any other hardware should be ripped off from the head protector. These materials must be placed in a safe box, which should be placed in a secure place. The items are shined by polishing and cleaning, hence, do not require painting and sanding. Broken and damaged hardware needs to be replaced with a new one.

Leather fire helmets require occasional sanding by 150-grit sandpaper. Sanding is a suitable strategy of doing away with old paint. To keep the filigree stunning special attention should be accorded to such parts when sanding. Leather headgears have coats that comprise boiled linseed oil. To speed the removal of the paint some oils must be applied on its surface.

The furnace cement fixes holes, gaps, and cracks effectively. The cement has property of resisting damage inflicted by extremely high temperature. Old cement should be removed, and fresh one installed. Fingers can be used to achieve a tight pack.

Leather fire headgear needs few coats of paint. The first one must be a mixture of boil linseed lubricant and paint, which forms a fitted resilient seal. The helmet must be given time to dry. Later, several additional layers of paints can be added.

Diligence should be exercised during the repair procedure. Important parts that give the protective headgear its beautiful appearance must be protected. Repair process should be carried out when the helmet is hanged or mounted.




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