How to Paint an RC Body: 14 Steps
Painting an RC (Radio Controlled) vehicle body is an exciting and creative way to personalize your remote-controlled car or truck. This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of painting an RC body, so you can have a stunning and unique vehicle that reflects your style.
1. Choose your design: Before you start, have a clear vision of what you want your finished RC body to look like. You can sketch your design on paper or use imaging software on your computer.
2. Gather materials: To paint an RC body, you’ll need polycarbonate paint, masking tape, a utility knife, a scuff pad, cleaning solution, paintbrushes or airbrushes, and clear coat spray.
3. Remove protective film: Most RC bodies come with a protective film. Make sure to remove this before painting.
4. Clean the surface: Using a mild soap and water solution or specialized cleaning solution for polycarbonate plastic, clean the surface of the RC body thoroughly to ensure proper paint adhesion.
5. Lightly scuff the surface: Use a scuff pad to lightly roughen the surface of the plastic body, allowing the primer and paint to adhere better.
6. Mask off areas: Using masking tape, protect any areas you don’t want to be painted, such as windows and grille details.
7. Apply primer: If you are using a dark color as your base coat, it’s recommended to apply a layer of primer on the inside of the body. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and drying times.
8. Paint from light colors to dark colors: Start with lighter colors and progress towards darker ones when layering paints for your design.
9. Use thin coats: Applying thin coats will yield more even coverage and allow for faster drying times between layers.
10. Dry between layers: Allow sufficient drying time between layers of paint for the best results. This can vary based on the type of paint used, so consult the manufacturer’s instructions.
11. Apply clear coat: After your final layer of color has dried, apply a clear coat to protect your paint job and give it a professional finish.
12. Remove masking tape: Carefully remove all masking tape from the body.
13. Reattach components: If you disassembled any parts of your RC vehicle, reattach them now that the body is painted.
14. Enjoy your custom-painted RC body: Now that you have successfully painted your RC body, you can proudly showcase and drive your one-of-a-kind remote-controlled vehicle!