Removing House Paint From a Helmet

[KevinS]

Greetings everyone!

I have an original SD M40 Heer helmet (NS64) that was purchased from the veteran who brought it home after the war. Unfortunately it sat in his garage for over 40 years and at some point in time a large amount of white house paint was dropped on the interior of the helmet. It seeped out the vent holes and around the split pins, though it did not mess up the decal (thankfully).

The vet tried to remove it and was able to get most of it off the exterior, though a some still remains. The interior of the helmet has a fairly good amount of the house paint still remaing. It also has the original liner band and part of the liner, which is brittle and paint covered. Overall the helmet has some rust on the crown both inside and out and is in good, though not great, shape. It's completely original and though I didn't pay that much for it, I like it just the same.

My question is, do you know of anything that will remove the house paint while leaving the original finish intact (it was originally slate gray with slight texture)? Or am I better off just leaving it like it is?

[sparks]

Put it on ebay and describe it as a snow camo helmet, some fool will pay you enough money for it so you can go out and buy a better one .

Only joking..what type of paint is the house paint, an oil based gloss for woodwork, or a water based emulsion for walls ?
Regards.
Col.

[KevinS]

Put it on ebay and describe it as a snow camo helmet, some fool will pay you enough money for it so you can go out and buy a better one .

Only joking..what type of paint is the house paint, an oil based gloss for woodwork, or a water based emulsion for walls ?
Regards.
Col.

Being a new collector myself, I couldn't do that to someone (and yes, I know you're joking!). Besides, most of the paint is on the interior of the helmet...so what would I call it? "Reverse Winter Camo?"

Looking at the helmet, my first instinct is to say it's typical interior wall paint. Though I imagine it could be an exterior type of house paint just as easily. It does not appear to be a gloss type paint.

Thanks for the reply, Col.!

[Boston Bean]

Kevin if its latex paint a product called "GoofOff" should take it off easily without harming the finish underneath, I know they didn't have latex paint during WW2 so the original finish shouldn't be affected, if its oil based which was all there was around back in the day, it really depends on what time period that the paint was spilled on it, test a small hidden area, or ask the vet when did the accident occur, doesn't matter weather its gloss or not that doesn't determine weather its latex or oil, good luck

[KevinS]

Many thanks Boston Bean! I'll try to find out when the spill occured and baring that I'll attempt a small test patch with "GoofOff."

I appreciate your reply and suggestions!

Kevin

Kevin if its latex paint a product called "GoofOff" should take it off easily without harming the finish underneath, I know they didn't have latex paint during WW2 so the original finish shouldn't be affected, if its oil based which was all there was around back in the day, it really depends on what time period that the paint was spilled on it, test a small hidden area, or ask the vet when did the accident occur, doesn't matter weather its gloss or not that doesn't determine weather its latex or oil, good luck

[LeeM]

Hello Kevin, <O</O
<O</O

Could you post a few photos? It could help a bit to see it. Sometimes it can be easily removed with a credit card, fingernail etc, or it may take a paint remover/stripper. There are various paint removers that will work but you have to be careful it is not too strong. A paint stripper will work well on old oil based paints, will not take off the original baked finish of a helmet and would be easier to use on the smooth interior finish. The key word is careful, particularly if the liner is still there. Hope this helps. <O</O
<O</O

Lee<O</O

[Boston Bean]

"There are various paint removers that will work but you have to be careful it is not too strong. A paint stripper will work well on old oil based paints,"

Lee the only reason I didn't mention that was I would have been afraid that it would have affected the exterior of the helmet, we all know that they painted their helmets from season to season and had to be an oil or alcohol base(I am owner of Phoenix Papering+Painting Co.) and I am sure strip-ez would be to strong and could reduce the helmet to zero worth, some of those winter painted or camo helmets are big bucks lol

[cbuehler]

I have very successfully used nail polish remover, but this will not always work with some kinds of paint. Test a small section for results.

CB

[panzer23]

i have a teeny weeny m42 ET60 with white paint spots to the rear any idea how to remove the spots..
wayne

[helmet841]

I have used a toothpick with its end slightly blunted to "pop off" this type of paint. A wet rag wiped over the area lubed it up and helped in rubbing off any micro sized piece of remaining paint.

Just watch that you don't drag it out too long and rust up the shell. Dry properly when done.

My method worked on a US Navy M1 helmet with a glossy type paint.

Whether it will work on this helmet without leaving scratch or drag marks is unknown. You may want to try a dot or two and see if the removal leaves any mark, or damages the patina of the paint before doing all the dots.