Help on painting shell

[read94]

Hi, i am new ish to rc cars and own a tamiya 416x touring car. i have had a old shell for about 3 months now but i have just got myself a new one from protoform.

the shell i am using at the momment is fine but some others on track have paint chipping away from when they hit poeple but some others dont chip.

i know you paint on the inside and with lexon paint im not that silly but i wondered if you use anything else on the car to stop it from chipping and how many coats etc ... someone told me shoe glue works but i dont know if thats true.

what do you use to make it sayiing looking good ?

thanks for any help in advance

its just its my first new shell and i want it to stay looking good

[eyeayen]

You need to make sure the shell is washed completely and then use the correct lexan paint such as Faskolor or Createx / Auto Air ( which is all Faskolor is anyway ), these are all airbrush paints, there are plenty available in Aerosol too, I've used Tamiya and always had success with them staying on, I can't comment on others though as I usually airbrush mine.

Jon at RCS sells all this and has tutorials on his site http://www.rcsgraphicworx.com/

Or Terry just wrote an article in Radio Race Car ( May issue ).

[Mike Parker]

As well as painting I've also experience in racing tourers, with the shells where the paint is chipping away is that on the nose of the shell?? They are subject to a lot of hammer there...

What I tend to do when prepping a shell, I first scour the inside with wire wool to provide a key for the paint (if using chrome paint don't do this in the areas you are painting it with as the effect diminishes) wash it down in soapy water, and once dry I go over the inside with a piece of kitchen towel soaked in lighter fluid to remove any residue left over.

When putting the paint down mist each colour in light coats & allow to dry completely before you put further coats down.

Yep check out Jon Millers RCS site as mentioned, for both tutorials and he sells everything paint related for these shells

[U1timate PigDog]

Hey,
I've painted more shells than I can remember now mostly using spray cans when I first started racing. just started airbrushing them.

I find the best thing to do is get the body cut out and holes drilled perfectly so theres not much room between front bumber and the shell (BUT ensure the wheels line up in the arches )

Then wash body with warm soapy water, rinse with cold water. I use a hair dryer to dry the shell so i dont get any dust or debris in the shell.

Mask as appropriate (especially the windows )

Spray paint in thin coats drying with hair dryer in between coats.

Remove masks and film job good, fit to body.

If you feel the need to back the body which I dont do if its spray cans as they coat the body thicker, then use a clear or white laquer. (before removing the masks)

I wouldn't coat the body in shoe goo as it will weigh a ton, if you do want to use it apply in small coats above wheel arches and across the bottom of front bumper.

Job done and enjoy the racing.