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@Polka_Dot
As far as I can remember, I applied two or three coats of primer, at least five coats of paint, probably seven and at least three coats of lacquer.
The colour I went for is metallic black. I decided to splash out on the paint and use enamel for a better, harder finish. This, plus all the sheets of wet and dry, bumped up the cost of materials somewhat.
After each coat I would wait at least 24 hours for it to harden before sanding it, then wiping it, then waiting for it to dry, then applying the next coat when conditions were right. I used increasingly fine paper after each coat, to 2500 grade silicon carbide by the final coats. The rubbing down, as well as giving the next coat something to hold onto also, ever so slightly diminished some of the the ripples still present, with more of the peaks being removed than the troughs.
These pictures of the helmet are the last I have of it from that time. Here it is near enough finished; I think I had just a bit of sealing to do inside.
The sign says wet and it looks wet but I think when I took these pictures it had dried, such was the glossy finish I managed to achieve.
I couldn't resist having a go any longer. I peeled of the masking tape, got into my kit, clipped in and set off.
Tomorrow I will tell the story of the helmet's dramatic first run...