High viz Krylon paint on Denier nylon

[Blrry]

Hey forum goers!

I've been trolling for about a year, finally bought my bike this year (red 2014) to accompany my 2008 DR 650 and replace my '99 VFR 800. What a step up in power and smoothness!

Anyway - this is a gear related post - I have a question if anyone has tried anything like this. I'm going to attempt it this weekend, I think (unless the chorus of "NO!" is deafening).

I'm in the Air Force, and while the "Big Air Force" has said it is not necessary anymore to wear the hi-viz orange vests - our local installation (JBER) says we have to wear high-viz something. I am wondering if I could spray paint the Krylon high-viz spray paint on my Tourmaster Centurion one piece suit.

This guy used it to camo paint a black MOLLE bag pretty well, and since it bonds to plastics, it's supposed to work pretty well on nylon/denier... I'm kind of scare about ruining my suit though! I wish they had a hi-viz version.

FYI - I have no aversion to Hi-Viz safety gear, my Nolan helmet is Hi-Viz red/orange, and like I said, I would have bought a Hi-Viz riding suit if they had one (though I could buy 3 for what an Aerostich roadmaster suit goes for!) but alas, they did not. My beef with the vest is that until my tank bag arrives, I'm also riding with a backpack to and from work, so the ICON vest I wear is basically invisible from the front, sides and from the rear - serves no purpose, but further feels restricting on my shoulders and chest. The AF isn't smart about common sense things like that, though, and they just know I'm supposed to wear it to be able to get on base. It's dumb, they're happy with people wearing the vest over a bright colored t shirt, but my full body silver and black riding suit with retroreflective tape isn't good enough since it's not orange, even with my huge XXXL Hi Vis helmet! LOL

Anyway, looking forward to hearing experiences/opinions. Thanks all!

Blrry

 

[twotonevert]

You could always try it on something smaller first. As long as the paint is flexible and wont peel off you might be ok.

 

[Blrry]

Yeah, it's supposed to bond to plastic and is waterproof/flexible and not supposed to come off... I'll have to rummage around a little and see if I can find anything in my clost of 1680 Denier... I doubt I have any. I'll just have to tape it off, cross my fingers and go for it, I'm afraid. I'll take pics and post a "how to" if it works out. If it doesn't, I'm not too shy, I'll probably post pictures anyway to warn off anyone else from trying it, haha.

Blrry

 

[frisbee]

Why not just get a vest

 

[MelodicMetalGod]

You could always try it on something smaller first. As long as the paint is flexible and wont peel off you might be ok.

Agreed. Kinda like "spot check" before use.

I'd have a tough time "trying" something on my hard earned gear without testing first.

 

[FlatlandBusa]

Why not just get a vest

^^ This!

 

[kromdom]

I wear a vest over my jacket and a green GLOW BELT around the back pack....zero issues with gate guards when hi-viz used to be mandatory (yup, NO LONGER required in Camp Pendleton but I still choose to wear hi-viz when I leave at zero dark in the morning)

Or you can also buy a cheapo vest and put it on the backpack...cheaper/simpler than trying to paint a perfectly good jacket.

P.S. ICON sells a backpack that is already reflectorized but not cheap

 

[MelodicMetalGod]

I wear a vest over my jacket and a green GLOW BELT around the back pack....zero issues with gate guards when hi-viz used to be mandatory (yup, NO LONGER required in Camp Pendleton but I still choose to wear hi-viz when I leave at zero dark in the morning)

Or you can also buy a cheapo vest and put it on the backpack...cheaper/simpler than trying to paint a perfectly good jacket.

P.S. ICON sells a backpack that is already reflectorized but not cheap

Good idea. FYI: Cycle Gear is selling those cheapie hi-viz (yellow) vests for 99 cents. It is cheap, but it IS only 99 cents. lol Way better than painting a jacket worth a couple/few hundred dollars.

WHEELIES - Hi-Vis Mesh Motorcycle Vest - Vests - Protection - Street - Cycle Gear

 

[Blrry]

Why not just get a vest

Like I stated in my original post,

"My beef with the vest is that until my tank bag arrives, I'm also riding with a backpack to and from work, so the ICON vest I wear is basically invisible from the front, sides and from the rear - serves no purpose, but further feels restricting on my shoulders and chest."

Not comfy over the top of a full riding suit, not visible to cars with a backpack anyhow. I'd just rather have one piece of kit on that isn't also blocking off all of my riding suit vents.

Blrry

 

[Blrry]

I've got cheapo vests, expensive vests and reflector belts anyhow. Up here in Alaska, it's daylight 18-20 hours a day, so even though I'm out the door at 0545, there is broad daylight to and from work. I haven't been hassled by anyone as I follow the local rules, but for ease of use, minimization of gear and maximizing comfort and safery, I'm still going to try this out on an a-bag or something nylon and see how it looks and how durable it is before I try it on the suit. I can always just wear my Vanson leathers with the icon vest, but I like riding in to work in my scrubs and leaving the uniform hung up in my office!