Restoration of a Semi-Relic WWII German M42 Helmet

[peregrinvs]

The last stage was the trickiest - spraying on the paint and then quickly but evenly sprinkling on aluminium oxide powder before it dried. This took several goes before the helmet was completely and evenly covered. In the factory, the powder and paint would have been added together with an industrial sprayer, but I don't have one so I had to simulate the effect as above. I then gave it a light coating of matt clear coat and assembled it.

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However, after taking these pictures I noticed that the aluminium oxide powder wasn't firmly stuck down and would come off when the helmet was handled. I therefore invested in some more paint, took it apart, sprayed on a few more coats and reassembled. It doesn't look much different, but the powder is solid.

Hope this was of interest. I have several other not dissimilar projects on the boil - such as a WWI British Brodie helmet - and will try and upload some pics in due course.