lacquered camo

[nopoop]

2

[cantara]

That a beautiful helmet !! I have a M16 shell that I purchased that had the same super gloss lacquer paint put on it at one time. It had a shine just like your helmet.

While the concensus would be to leave it alone, I wouldn't. It's messed with already, why not make it look natural. There is a very easy way to cut the shine and make it look much better.

A high quality old fashioned furniture lacuquer. REAL lacquer that drys in minutes and is very thin. No prep other than making sure it's clean. Satin gives just the right amount of shine. I would only use this brand because I know it works.

Something to think about.

Thanks Chris,
So the stuff doesn't effect the finish other than reduce the shine?
Do you have pics of the M16 before the treat?
regards C

[cantara]

Lacquered after war for sure.
That's the same here with old collector,they put varnish on helmet because it's more beautiful on the shelf.

Could be so I suppose, but if it was done for the looks wouldn't it have been done more neat?

regards C

[cantara]

Nice helmet, it's hard to say when it was lacquered, for sure post war.

...German soldier with a suicide wish?

Without lacquer it was much better...btw, I like on my shelf.

Take r.

Or one so proud of his camo job he wanted to make it stand out during parade
regards C

[nopoop]

Thanks Chris,
Do you have pics of the M16 before the treat?
regards C

Unfortunately I don't. It was a shiner just like you example. It appears to have been put on with a brush with mine. I was surprised on how well it came out.

[cantara]

You may also notice that the lacquer has the same wear as the camo/finish on the edges....

[combat-helmets]

Well..it displays nice at least..

[WalterB]

You may also notice that the lacquer has the same wear as the camo/finish on the edges....

For this reason, I would leave it as is. Who knows the reason for the lacquer, but it looks like its been there for a long time.

[jimmytx3]

lacquer

my father lacquerd his helmet as he stored it in the attic to protect it from rust!

[Shawn Hall]

I would sure be proud of that helmet in my collection. I seen that one on estand and sure wanted that one for myself, congrats. I would probably just leave it like it is basing it on the assumption the GI did this for a reason only he knows the answer to. But it sure would be tempting to spray it down with that stuff to take the shine away. Take care,

-Shawn

[voodoo]

Personally, I don't mind the look. But, if it bothers you, before adding a new coat of finish I would rub an area of the helmet with some super fine steel wool, 0000 grade. What this does is scratch the lacquere on the micro level, causing light deflecting in every direction. If that doesn't work, you can then apply a satin finish for a dull look. I've used this technique on many wood projects before, but never a helmet.

Jeff

[davidSW]

hi

Its quite common that people did this to helmets in the hope to preserve the paint. Which i think at some point was quite acceptible. However i have seen people spend hours and hrs getting it off with a very fine sand paper and liquid.

I would want to see some one do to an untouched helemt and in the same sense it would stop me from buying one.

nice lid

[HJP]

I would just leave it alone, preserve whats left of a great Camo....