CQuartz on Matte SHOEI motorcycle helmet

[Ray@Autogeek]

I always keep an eye out on the motorcycle section on Craigslist for deals and I found an identical model *Brand New* SHOEI RF1000 for a steal. They discontinued making RF1000's since they released RF1100's, so this was sitting in a storage unit it's entire life. The inner liner on my old RF1000 had seen better days, so this was a good time for me to refresh an important part of my gear.

Here's a pic of my old and new helmet together:

It even included a Gold Spectra Visor :)

https://sphotos-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/1013383_10200232233864927_1441061676_n.jpg

I wanted to protect my new helmet as much as possible and Cquartz specifically states their coating will work on Matte finishes.

First I thoroughly cleaned the matte surface. I'm just using the BFWDWW bottle as a sprayer, it's actually filled with ONR.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K7g5Y6vu120/Uesh8ZVaU2I/AAAAAAAAIqI/vKr1PkpzV7I/s640/IMG_1650.JPG

Scrub a dub-dub.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-vU1abooj-5g/Uesh8YgVrhI/AAAAAAAAIqM/wjl2gB9RULs/s640/IMG_1652.JPG

Then I wiped the helmet down with CarPro Eraser to remove any remaining oils.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZiQb801qSOw/Uesh9kPuyWI/AAAAAAAAIqY/5XYHCEH_Z4g/s640/IMG_1653.JPG

30 ml Kit.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2CEZewYLaRg/Uesh93Ddq3I/AAAAAAAAIqg/24K-_b88dXA/s640/IMG_1654.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rbsZMdotx9Q/Uesh-H_Z_gI/AAAAAAAAIqo/2QVbti62gcs/s640/IMG_1655.JPG

First pass.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JLiTuu1abWA/Uesh_SD1Z6I/AAAAAAAAIq8/UM2GRT2mUoo/s640/IMG_1657.JPG

The matte finish almost seemed to absorb the CQuartz.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JU0IUXQ6uUo/Uesh_zhmAQI/AAAAAAAAIrA/8bKtGI4O3d0/s640/IMG_1658.JPG

After waiting 10 min, I buffed away the high spots with a short looped MF towel.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HtkCIIczEbA/UesiAfcX-HI/AAAAAAAAIrQ/jLhs-JpJ0zA/s640/IMG_1659.JPG

The finish looks *slightly* glossier, darker and feels coated.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2R-kCDDE60U/UesiAk9KGaI/AAAAAAAAIrM/ftz9voUryrI/s640/IMG_1660.JPG

Looks great!

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tfhPWXkN6gI/UesiBMsmYMI/AAAAAAAAIrg/IvW3nKOsK80/s640/IMG_1661.JPG

Before hitting the road I pumped a couple sprays of CG Stripper Scent into the foam.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-T2mX5ZhvXa4/UesiB71KaMI/AAAAAAAAIrk/CRxAz_16tz0/s640/IMG_1662.JPG

Ready to ride! :D

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bXFbSYkrGpQ/UesiCTk6msI/AAAAAAAAIro/s1-CFpTN_Ig/s640/IMG_1663.JPG

Water repellent before/after. You can see how much darker the coating made the helmet which I love. Hard to see in pictures but Cquartz is doing its job :xyxthumbs:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--JXljfiwcHc/UetPQGd5egI/AAAAAAAAIsI/1OU6YcZMWys/s512/newbeading.jpg

CarPro Cquartz 30 ml. Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/cquartz-kit.html)

[FUNX650]

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/4Ray.jpg


The finish looks *slightly* glossier, darker and feels coated.

Looks great!


It really didn't impart much sheen to this particular matte-finish...
And: It does look great! :xyxthumbs:



Before hitting the road I pumped a couple sprays of CG Stripper Scent into the foam.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-T2mX5ZhvXa4/UesiB71KaMI/AAAAAAAAIrk/CRxAz_16tz0/s640/IMG_1662.JPG

Everybody's different...but I don't like getting stripper scent around or in between my aural-areas.



https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bXFbSYkrGpQ/UesiCTk6msI/AAAAAAAAIro/s1-CFpTN_Ig/s640/IMG_1663.JPG

Ready to ride! :D

^^^:cheers:^^^


Bob

[dpk20x]

Glad to know Im not the only one who uses stripper scent in his helmet!

Great work Ray!

[Flash Gordon]

I like the way it darkened up, but wish there were more beads

Nice find!

[Ray@Autogeek]

@Bob - Thanks. It looks even better in person.

@dpk20x - Why didn't you tell me before?? lol Thanks :)

@Flash - The darkening of the black turned out to be my favorite part. I called it "Batman Black" lol. The water does repel now, before it would almost stick.

[OGauge4Me]

Nice write up. Thank you

[BobbyG]

Hey Ray,

Thank you for doing this review!

I have some older flat black stripes on a car and was wondering what I could use to bring them back to life and give them a more even rich look. I have both CQuarts and Opti-Coat on the shelf and now feel much more confident applying them..


PS....When riding a bike you need to be 100% focused on everything around you in order to stay safe. Spraying a shot of Stripper Scent in your helmet "could" cause the mind to wonder a bit! :laughing: