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Got this Adrian helmet yesterday, it wasn't cheap for the condition it is in, 93 eur incl., which I
somewhat underestimated. The liner is missing, the chinstrap is broken and a small chunk
missing, which I have replaced, the strap can be easily mended and is original.
The badge at the front I thought was original finish, is rough, pitted but now free of rust.
The paintwork is a nightmare, it consists of multi layers of black and dark blue, which
have been hardened, polished and sealed. I had estimated that under that easy to remove
paintwork, much of the original finish would remain, that is now doubtfull. I had intended
to use a commercial paint stripper. However, the finish looks like car paint and highly
resistant. I tried on one spot many applications of acetone with a rough wad, some of
the colour has been removed, but the layers of paintwork remain, so acetone may not be
the answer, it would take much too long. Another solution would be to use a burner at
a controlled moderate rate, or sandblasting, but that would probably destroy the remaining
original finish.
Has anyone any ideas or tips or removing this?

 

  • Like 3
Posted

Have you tried asking at a car repair shop were they do re-sprays, to see if they can suggest  anything. I take it the colour on the inside of the helmet is the original colour.

  • Like 3
Posted

I got a commercial paint stripper, applied two coats and waited, it looks as though it will work, I may have to repeat.  It now remains to scrape or wash the remains of the paint off. The inside is also repainted. The splints for attaching liner are all broken off except for one half. However these can be replaced by someone, who is good at metalwork.

  • Like 3
Posted

I used warm water and fine wire wool when I did mine to remove the paint stripper leaving the original paint untouched.

  • Like 3
Posted

I think wire wool, even fine would be a bit too drastic for me, I did an M.42 many years ago in England, using a paint stripper from there, within one hour all the new paint was off, revealing a perfect matt raw fieldgrey finish. I've been working on this one now for a couple of days, still not finished, it takes four hours to effect, and the substance is rather harmfull and has to be done in the open. I reckon in a couple of days it will be finished, but the horizon blue paint is very well kept.

The results so far, the badge has still retained it's incorrect greygreen paint, strange.

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  • Like 4
Posted

Hello Fritz, oddly enough I am also working on restoring an Adrian helmet as well. I do have some sources if wanted for liners and other replacement parts. Does the helmet have the 4 sets of prongs to hold the liner?

  • Like 4
Posted

The four bases of the prongs are there, but there is only one prong left of a single pair. I have seen these on offer, they are brass, there are also sets of 4 corrogated aluminium and the liners. I will evtl. order these, but I know of someone who could make some prongs from sheet iron for a reasonable price.
Thanks anyway. The paint removal has progressed, and there are only a few patches left, so will have to repeat the procedure.

  • Like 4
Posted

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This is the 3rd day, with countless applications of stripper, 4-hour wait and then scrubbing with a toothbrush
there are still tiny spots and remains in the crevasses, been very difficult to remove, and a very dirty messy job indeed.
The next step is to spray over the weathered finish with WD-40, and to repair the chinstrap.
There is still the paintwork under the brims to be done, I may leave that.
Strange that the badge has retained that greenish finish, must have been from a WW2 M.15 helmet.

  • Like 4
Posted

Good job Fritz. It is possible that the badge is WW2, I have seen lots of period images of French soldiers in WW2 using the 1st war model helmets. 

  • Like 4
Posted

It is a WW1 badge overpainted for WW2, got to this helmet somehow

  • Like 4
Posted

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Finished paint stripping, inside left as it is. Chinstrap has been repaired, but the join will have to be reinforced

  • Like 4
Posted

Good job Fritz, looks very nice 

  • Like 3
Posted

Yes, I was surprised the original finish was in such good condition

  • Like 3

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