I've talked quite a bit about the G-Force helmets here. Here is my new G-Force Forced Air helmet, freshly painted by Bill Cousins at Kuzzins Kustoms.

:buttrock

:redspot

Pic II.

Time for a new sig file. :D

George - I've been looking at painting. Can you give me an idea of what you paid for this design so I know how "detailed" I want to go?

Shoot me a PM if you don't want to share in public.

Originally posted by BMWRacerITS
George - I've been looking at painting. Can you give me an idea of what you paid for this design so I know how "detailed" I want to go?

Shoot me a PM if you don't want to share in public.

I don't mind sharing.

It cost $560 +$15 S&H. It was 16 hours @ $35/hr. I was just thinking that's a very fair hourly rate for such a professional.

The grid at the top was 2 hours, or $70. I like the extra touch it adds.

Bryan...check out www.shaneyfeltmotorsports.com

My helmet is listed in the website under helmets. Guys name is Jody Shaneyfelt, he is a really nice guy and is resonably priced.

BTW- nice writeup in roundel on winning in the race at roebling. What happened in the second race, I figured it was mechanical b/c you ran the fastest lap but got a DNF. Sorry, threadjack complete.

Cracked a piston in the sprint. Wasn't even planning on driving that race, but Dad knew how much I like to drive in the wet so he let me qualify and race.

Heck, I was running easy too, because the other CMod guys all guessed wrong and put on slicks hoping the track would dry. :)

My bad, Geo that is a great looking helmet and a good price. My helmet was 500. http://www.shaneyfeltmotorsports.com/helmets.html

Originally posted by ///M3Matt
My bad, Geo that is a great looking helmet and a good price.

Thanks!

Next up......

Radio gear and........

HANS.

Got to get a new job before ordering the HANS though.

Very nice...Paint is more then the helmet lol.

Just curious, why did you choose the Forced Air setup, do you lie having the fresh oxygen system when you race?

I love my G-force, really dont know why people try to bash them, they are great helmets, just happen to be priced well.

I picked up the Iridium visor for my helmet today, cheap ($35) and it came with an entire set of mounts. I tried all the others, and they were WAY too dark.

Just a quick note on using very dark visors: What happens when you have a very dark visor, while you might think its protecting against UV rays that you don't want in your eye's, having such a dark visor is opening your pupils farther, and letting in more UV then normal basically. So darker is not always better...hell I tried all of them today at the OMP warehouse, and I could barely see out of some! The iridium one is slightly tinted look from the inside, and well purple on the outside :)

I wish I could afford $500 for a paint job, I might just end up getting some decals made for it...I.e. ghetto paint job haha

Originally posted by 95m3racer
Very nice...

Thanks. :D

Originally posted by 95m3racer
Paint is more then the helmet lol.

Hehe. Yep.

Originally posted by 95m3racer
Just curious, why did you choose the Forced Air setup, do you lie having the fresh oxygen system when you race?

Well, I obviously live in a very hot climate. I decided one warm day in the car that I needed some cool air on my face. I've heard of folks being pelted by stuff even in a closed car, so a forced air helmet makes sense. I need to put together a cooler and blower set-up.

Originally posted by 95m3racer
I love my G-force, really dont know why people try to bash them, they are great helmets, just happen to be priced well.

No doubt. I like mine better than the Bell and Simpson helmets I've had. I'm sold on them. They are better quality.

Originally posted by 95m3racer
I picked up the Iridium visor for my helmet today

I plan on picking one up along with a yeller one for rain races.

Originally posted by 95m3racer
I wish I could afford $500 for a paint job, I might just end up getting some decals made for it...I.e. ghetto paint job haha

This is my first professionally painted helmet. My previous helmets have had home ghetto paint jobs. Rattle can jobs. They look OK from a distance, but nothing like my new one. WOW.

Nice helmet man! Looks very sharp.

Steve, if you're going to do it ghetto... do it right! Stickers are the way to go my friend :)

Nice paint job, but again, more for the paint job than the helmet!! I thought the point of G-Force helmets was "good enough quality for those that don't want to spend a fortune on a helmet", so an expensive paint job seems a bit odd... I have got to say though, that the price you shared seems quite excessive for paint. I am currently getting my new helmet painted by Patrice at Smart Race Paint in Quebec.(www.smartracepaint.com). My design is FAR more complex than yours, with more colors, color blending, 3-D/shadowing, etc, and I was quoted <$500 Canadian Dollars... That includes him putting on several company/sponsor logos that I gave to him on a disk, which is usually a bunch extra... I would have thought that a paint job which was relatively 'simple' yet effective, like yours, would be in the $250 range. I mean I paid $200 to Corby Concepts (www.corbyconcepts.com) for my old helmet seen below, with a very very simple design... Maybe I'm missing something, but it seems like you paid a LOTTTTTTT of money for a relatively easy to paint design. That's not to say I don't like it, I'm just confused... :dunno


-Jeff
PS-- Yes I know there is a giant chip out of the paint in my helmet, but it is my OLD helmet, seen lots of abuse.
http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/wetoddimage.wtdr/i=wMzAzMjQ5NnM0MTNkZmQzMXk1NDE%3D.jpg

I'm just going to wear my Hockey Helmet on the track:)

Originally posted by M-Tech
Nice paint job, but again, more for the paint job than the helmet!! I thought the point of G-Force helmets was "good enough quality for those that don't want to spend a fortune on a helmet"

Well, then obviously you don't read very well.

Originally posted by M-Tech
so an expensive paint job seems a bit odd... I have got to say though, that the price you shared seems quite excessive for paint.

Well, good for you.

BTW, are you always this rude?

Jeff - Your old helmet is solid colors with straight lines. There are a lot more hours involved with the gridding/fading on top and the stars around the middle of Geo's helmet than there is with just masking up and painting the lines on your helmet.

For the hours that went into Geo's helmet, seems he got a VERY fair price based on the hourly rate from a very well known helmet painter.

Originally posted by Geo31
Well, then obviously you don't read very well.



Well, good for you.

BTW, are you always this rude?

Hey there buddy, take it eay, pull your panties out of your crack and compose yourself. If I wanted to be rude I would have said "Wow, he really saw you coming with that one... For $580 you could have gotten a helmet with chrome from Troy Lee Designs (notoriously expensive)".... I didn't say that. In fact, all I said was that it seems a bit steep compared to what I have paid before, and what I know most painters charge for a good lid.

As far as I know, the whole POINT of bimmerforums is to share our experiences relating to cars/etc.. with others, and potentially learn something in the process. Just like if you had said "I paid $1,000 to get my exhaust installed and I'm happy with it", I could have countered with "Looks like they did a nice job, but I know a bunch of guys that would have installed it and washed your car for $300"... I'm glad you like your helmet, and I am not knocking it. I posted that mostly to allow anyone ELSE reading this- perhaps someone who is considering getting their helmet painted- the option of knowing that the price you stated is a bit ABOVE average, and that there are other options out there. In a nutshell, you don't have to pay Dinan for an exhaust when AA makes a damn good one for less, but you can if you want... Got it?

-Jeff

I'm sorry man but you payed way too much to paint a low quality helmet.....and yet you're advertising for the guy who ripped you off!!

Originally posted by M-Tech
If I wanted to be rude I would have said "Wow, he really saw you coming with that one... For $580 you could have gotten a helmet with chrome from Troy Lee Designs (notoriously expensive)".... I didn't say that.

From Troy's webpage:

Solid Base Color Change – New solid white helmet (supplied by customer) $200.00+

Solid Base Color Change – Used or production helmet (supplied by customer) $275.00+

Starting Basic Graphics – New solid white helmet (supplied by customer) $500.00+

Starting Basic Graphics – Used or Production helmet (supplied by customer) $575.00+

Chrome Base Helmet – New solid white helmet (supplied by customer) $200.00+

Extra painted visor to match design $100.00+

Prep and Clear $120.00+

Name on back $50.00+

Cartoons or Characters $200.00+

Name on both sides $100.00+

Originally posted by nsk223
I'm sorry man but you payed way too much to paint a low quality helmet.....and yet you're advertising for the guy who ripped you off!!

Get your head out of your arse.

A) Prove it's a low quality helmet.

B) Prove he overpaid. I've done a lot of pricing with the top helmet painters in the nation. Kuzzins is one of the best, and he got a VERY fair price. Take a look at the Troy Lee prices I posted above.

George-

I'm sorry I asked the question on pricing. I assumed everyone on this forum was older than 10.

I'm sorry Brian, you are right; it is a good helmet. I forgot that you walked away from your mazda after stuffing it at Road Atlanta.

Bryan,
That was an exaggeration, and it was meant to be one... Look at the context... If you don't believe me, then go ahead and pay $580 to Kuzzins for your next helmet. If that makes you happy, then rest assured that I am happy knowing that you are happy :D ... Kuzzin's is a relatively well known painter, and I think a lot of the problem with the pricing stems from his reputation. However, there are lots of other well known painters, and lots of other relatively unknown painters that will give you a MUCH better price on an equal paint job... That's ALL I'm saying.
If all you took from my second post was the Troy Lee pricing, then it looks like you're already sold on Kuzzins and G-Force. It also looks like you need to "take your head out of YOUR arse", and see that just like you think G-Force is a better deal on a helmet (I'm not agreeing, but that is an argument I don't want to get into), I am showing that there are MUCH better deals to be had on paint. But I think I am definately not out of line here, and I am just trying to show that there are some better options out there...

Originally posted by M-Tech
Hey there buddy, take it eay, pull your panties out of your crack and compose yourself. If I wanted to be rude I would have said "Wow, he really saw you coming with that one...

Well, you really railed on it and on the quality of the G-Force. In both cases, you don't know what you're talking about.

Originally posted by M-Tech
For $580 you could have gotten a helmet with chrome from Troy Lee Designs (notoriously expensive)"....

This proves you don't know what you're talking about. BTW, I did look at Troy Lee. I like Bill's work as much as Troy's and Bill is a fair bit less expensive.

Originally posted by M-Tech
As far as I know, the whole POINT of bimmerforums is to share our experiences relating to cars/etc.. with others, and potentially learn something in the process.

I don't mind the questions in the least. But you really were doing some grandstanding there and talking about prices without full knowledge. You really went on about. If you had just asked about it and listened to my answer and/or just related your experience I wouldn't have had a problem. I think you stepped out of bounds here.

Originally posted by M-Tech
I'm glad you like your helmet, and I am not knocking it. I posted that mostly to allow anyone ELSE reading this- perhaps someone who is considering getting their helmet painted- the option of knowing that the price you stated is a bit ABOVE average, and that there are other options out there.

Yes, you are corret. There are other options for less money. I looked at several painters before deciding upon Kuzzins. If I wanted a lesser quality paint job, I would have done it myself.

Originally posted by nsk223
I'm sorry man but you payed way too much to paint a low quality helmet.....and yet you're advertising for the guy who ripped you off!!

You know, you should really learn about what you're talking about before sticking your foot in your mouth and then shooting yourself in the foot.

There is a perception that G-Force helmets are poor quality because of the price. I was concerned about that until I saw them in person and tried one on. They are very high quality, and I personally think their quality is better than the Bell and Simpson helmets I've had in the past. In addition, their SA helmets are Kevlar helmets. Quite a plus. Lastly, I cannot prove it, but I'm pretty certain G-Force helmets are designed and/or built by Shoei, but in China instead of Japan. My business partner has a Shoei bike helmet and too many things are exactly the same.

As for getting ripped off, you're entitled to your opinion, but I'd suggest getting a more educated opinion.

Originally posted by BMWRacerITS
George-

I'm sorry I asked the question on pricing. I assumed everyone on this forum was older than 10.

Hey Bryan, no sweat. It doesn't really bother me. Those who truly know what they are talking about know better.

I'm sure folks are still getting something out of this.

I'm glad that you like your helmet and feel comfortable with what you paid for the paint job.

Wahoo, this is a great discussion, however in the time you guys just spent typing all that bullshit I could have painted my own helmet :)
But on a serious note, someone referred me to this guy in NJ who might be able to help me with some custom decals and whatnot, this guy does AMAZING paint jobs, its like the stuff that goes onto Orange county chopper bikes!

I just need something to make my helmet less white... ;)

Originally posted by Geo31
You know, you should really learn about what you're talking about before sticking your foot in your mouth and then shooting yourself in the foot.

There is a perception that G-Force helmets are poor quality because of the price. I was concerned about that until I saw them in person and tried one on. They are very high quality, and I personally think their quality is better than the Bell and Simpson helmets I've had in the past. In addition, their SA helmets are Kevlar helmets. Quite a plus. Lastly, I cannot prove it, but I'm pretty certain G-Force helmets are designed and/or built by Shoei, but in China instead of Japan. My business partner has a Shoei bike helmet and too many things are exactly the same.

As for getting ripped off, you're entitled to your opinion, but I'd suggest getting a more educated opinion.

Do you by any chance know where I can try on a G-force helmet? very few places carry them. The only place I know is www.racerwholesale.com and they have a killer price on the G-force pro force air. 249.99! but they are no longer available in medium, im not sure what size I should get, if you don't know where i can try them on, then is it possible for me to try on a different brand helmet such as OMP, Bell or sparco to compare? thanks.

I end up replacing my helmet every two to three years. If I paid to have them painted every time I bought a new one I would be even more broke than I am now! :laugh

Right now I have an old (Snell 90!) HJC that is the "passenger" helmet, a brand new (and really, really comfy) Snell '00 AGV that I use for motorcycling / autocrossing double duty and an el cheapo Snell 95 Bieffe that is the "extra large" passenger helmet.

John V

Wow some nastiness in this thread. geo I think the helmet looks great. I don't care if you paid a $1000.00 as long as you feel like you got your money's worth thats all that matters. I got my helemt painted for just the cost of the materials though:D

Originally posted by KnightRider/AMG
Do you by any chance know where I can try on a G-force helmet? very few places carry them. The only place I know is www.racerwholesale.com and they have a killer price on the G-force pro force air. 249.99! but they are no longer available in medium, im not sure what size I should get, if you don't know where i can try them on, then is it possible for me to try on a different brand helmet such as OMP, Bell or sparco to compare? thanks.

Go here:

http://www.gforce.com/dealers/dealers.html

They have a dealer between LA and SD in Vista, CA.

Unless you have a higher end helmet with a removable liner, helmets should only last 2-3 full seasons of use. With Sweat (even with a balaclava) they getworn and moldy and whatnot. I guess it pays off to get a helmet with removable/washables lining and interior, but for someone who is just doing De's, or even partof bmwcca season you should be able to get some pretty good wear out of it.

Originally posted by nsk223
I'm sorry Brian, you are right; it is a good helmet. I forgot that you walked away from your mazda after stuffing it at Road Atlanta.

In·ter·net n.

A place where no-talent assclowns can talk crap anonymously about something they know nothing about.

Mods: Apologize for the language. I saw "Office Space" last night and thought that phrase was appropriate here. :biglaughb

Whatever man, at least I didn't pinch it on national TV.

Originally posted by nsk223
Whatever man, at least I didn't pinch it on national TV.

Gee, and I think it's cool to have been competing on national TV. Way to go Bryan! :drink1:

Hell, I'm proud to be part of the group that has wrecked on National TV (a group that includes names like Shumacher and Andretti) rather than someone who can only sit behind their computer screen and make fun of someone for it while playing "Need For Speed".

When you've got a real comeback, let me know.

C'mon children...this had the potential to be a very helpful thread, and its something I am interested in as well.

However, I did look at my helmet last night with the new iridium visor, and it looks sweet in all white. I might just slap a sticker on the back and call it a day.

Especially in open wheel cars, your helmet is your "calling card". Since I am usually the only guy in the paddock with an all white helmet, that is my calling card. :)

Geo, the 12 hours at summit point is on national tv...go figure.

Originally posted by BMWRacerITS
Especially in open wheel cars, your helmet is your "calling card". Since I am usually the only guy in the paddock with an all white helmet, that is my calling card. :)

Yeah. It screams Milquetoast. ;)

Get it painted dude! :D

I could help you with a design. I love checking out other people's colours and the stories behind them.

Originally posted by 95m3racer
However, I did look at my helmet last night with the new iridium visor, and it looks sweet in all white. I might just slap a sticker on the back and call it a day.

You could always come up with a simple design that is based upon a white base. I'm sure with a little thought you could come up with a simple, but really good, classical design that you could do with rattle cans that would look better than vinyl.

Originally posted by Geo31
Get it painted dude! :D

I plan to when I have excess $$. For now, everything is tied up trying to get a new racecar on the track. If the real estate market will be nice to me this year, I'll have a little extra spending cash for a nice helmet painting.

I could help you with a design. I love checking out other people's colours and the stories behind them.

The only thing I KNOW I want is Stars and Stripes somewhere on the helmet. Otherwise, I'm still trying to come up with some personal ideas. Might try to work my school colors (Wake Forest - black and old gold) into the design as well, but those don't really stand out too much.

Originally posted by BMWRacerITS
I plan to when I have excess $$. For now, everything is tied up trying to get a new racecar on the track.

I know that only too well. :)

Originally posted by BMWRacerITS
The only thing I KNOW I want is Stars and Stripes somewhere on the helmet. Otherwise, I'm still trying to come up with some personal ideas. Might try to work my school colors (Wake Forest - black and old gold) into the design as well, but those don't really stand out too much.

Hmmm.....

Let me think about it a bit. I've had some other ideas with the stars and stripes.

You use actual spray cans, or a grvity feed sprayer?

I think I'm just gonna go with the ghetto single sticker in the back with my name and med stats under it. Simple and to the point :)

Just want to add my agreement on the quality of the G-Force helmets. Way, way nicer than Bell and (ugh) Simpson, with the added bonus of not smelling like toxic waste when new. I wound up springing for a Bell at the last moment because it was all I could try on and I needed an SA rated helmet for an event I signed up for at the last moment (had been using my motorcycle helmet previously). VIR's on site shop sells G-Force, though, and I tried one on that very weekend, and was really bummed out to be stuck with the Bell even though I got it for a good price.

By the way, are you sure it's safe to use regular spray paint on a helmet, if that's what's being advocated? I think I've heard before that the solvents can damage the integrity of the helmet shell, depending on how it's constructed. Just something to keep in mind..

Yea, I would guess it depends on which helmet it is and what its coated with, clear coat, or coated with a special chemical to reduce surface scratches and wear.

I do have a nice airbrush setup, I wonder if I should make some stencils in photoshops and paint some shit on ;) lol

Originally posted by document
By the way, are you sure it's safe to use regular spray paint on a helmet, if that's what's being advocated? I think I've heard before that the solvents can damage the integrity of the helmet shell, depending on how it's constructed. Just something to keep in mind..

That's all total bullshit. Back when I bought my first helmet, it came with instructions on using regular automotive paints. This crap about not painting because of solvents is legal bullshit, just like the crap about not drilling holes for radio gear or even installing a HANS. Pure legal crap.

Professional painters just use regular automotive paint. The helmets are constructed of composites (fiberglass, Kevlar, CF, etc) and use the same resins.

I bought a G-force FF (SA2000) helmet last month. My decision was partially based on some of Geo's comments in earlier threads --I have to say I love my helmet! As a bicycle racer I have always appreciated comfortable lightweight and functional helmets. Thus far the G-force has been comfy through an entire day of Auto-X, it looks good quality wise and though I hope to never test its full functionality I feel pretty happy with my cranium encased in its kevlar shell.

As for expensive paint jobs....I can't afford one yet. So I bought some laser decal paper from bel decal http://www.beldecal.com/laser_paper.html
and used the color laser printer at work to make my own decorations. No pics yet but I made a Motorsport flag and my screenname 'logo' in my (hideously ugly) sig.

It looks pretty good for a home job, and it's reversible.

Yea thats what I'm thinking, just get some decal printer paper, good ink cartridge, and design some little decals, or copy some off the web...

Originally posted by Geo31
That's all total bullshit. Back when I bought my first helmet, it came with instructions on using regular automotive paints. This crap about not painting because of solvents is legal bullshit, just like the crap about not drilling holes for radio gear or even installing a HANS. Pure legal crap.

Honestly - calm down. Please try to avoid the profanity in the main forums.

I don't get the feeling he wasn't calm, just making a point about all the legality issues surrounding helmets. According to Simpson's lawyers, my helmet is now "useless" due to the holes I've drilled along the base to mount my radio plugs. ;)

Originally posted by BMWRacerITS
I plan to when I have excess $$. For now, everything is tied up trying to get a new racecar on the track. If the real estate market will be nice to me this year, I'll have a little extra spending cash for a nice helmet painting.

The only thing I KNOW I want is Stars and Stripes somewhere on the helmet. Otherwise, I'm still trying to come up with some personal ideas. Might try to work my school colors (Wake Forest - black and old gold) into the design as well, but those don't really stand out too much.

Bryan,

Send me an e-mail and I'll send you a helmet design I've worked on. It's a traditional design with elements of Peter Revson's helmet and even works in the Wake Forest colours.