DIY Vinyl Helmet Graphics

Photos and Text by Sean “Griz” McClendon

Custom painted helmets seem to be a necessity to most pro racers
these days - but who says it has to be paint? Vinyl is a cheap and
practical (as well as a do-it-yourself) way to put together a custom
lid. For $40-bucks, with the help of graphic designer/ pro downhill
racer Christian Schloessman along with a donated TLD Sting Ray visor
from T-Sage, I was able to design and create my first “custom lid.”

Click to Enlarge: The stickers and vinyl waiting for the hand of Griz.

The idea was to have a clean “racey” look with a bit of punk rock
in it that would carry along two subtle identities, those being the “26
Griz” logos and the “westside” hands. 26 is a self-proclaimed racing
number which stems from the 2six days and the westside hands are there
to display the territory I represent at the races as well as endorse my
“east vs. west” domestic racing rivalry - just like 2pac and Biggie
Smalls.

Somewhere in Western U.S., Not UCI compatible just yet. All you bullet head lovers, move along.

Vinyl wrapping a helmet is time-consuming requiring precision and
patience, and is hands down the easiest way to pass time while driving
accross the country. Starting in Ventura, California, the helmet took
about 10-12 hours to complete and was finally finished in Oklahoma
City, Oklahoma. A mandatory “helmet drop” was done in Massanutten,
Virginia and saw the top of the box that weekend at the opening round
of the Gravity East Series.