Painting a body

[dstroyr]

ok i have never painted a body before. what paint do i have to get. is it hard to paint sybols or characters on the body. i want to put indepedant signs on it and maybe something else that paint the rest some other color. is it hard to do fading colors. SO what paints do i have to get for the sybol to be painted on, what do i use and what kind of paint for the rest? also any special techniques.

My aim is dstroyr 989. IM me and explain it to me and help please.

[SteveK]

It's pretty easy to paint a body, but start simple and work into it.

The paints you need are a special variety made to stick to Lexan while it flexes. Tamiya and Pactra make some that comes in spray cans, and Tamiya, Pactra, and Parma make some that you apply with an airbrush or paint brush (I wouldn't recommend a paint brush for more than a tiny area). You paint them on the inside so the body stays shiny and paint stays protected.

To do designs on the body, you will use masking tape or pre-cut designs. You keep the windows clear this way too, masking them off, painting, and them peeling the tape off at the end.

Fades aren't too difficult, but they can't be a little tricky with spray cans. It is much easier to do it with an airbrush.

[Piggy89373]

dstroyr, read this article (http://www.rctech.net/articles/painting_hauntedmyst.shtml) (<=clicky thingy). It's written by a great guy and equally great painter, Haunted Myst. It'll take you through quite a number of tips, tricks, and general knowledge necessary to create a great paint job. I'd print it out for future reference.

Use Steve's advice on the paints. If you want a cheap and easy way to do minor graphics such as script or small characters, use a good paint brush. Print out the graphic you want to use and tape it to the outside. Be sure to print out the MIRRORED version of the graphic so it can be read correctly. With it securely taped to the outside of the body, use your paint brush and paint by the numbers. It's fairly easy to do. If you make a mistake, before the paint fully dries, use a toothpick to lightly scrape away the offending paint spot.

[dstroyr]

could u use air brush paint for using it with a paintbrush for the outline.

[Piggy89373]

I did at first knowing that airbrush paints are too thin for brushing. Now, I head down to Michael's Arts and Crafts, pay my 2 bucks for black Createx paints and do my outlines. Works much better and you get more paint for the money.

[dstroyr]

do u have any pics of your car bodies u did. Im still not sure what im goin to do. Or any link to pics that i can look at. Do u have a sn or AIM. Also if i make my own template or i want to write something else on the back with words do i just use glue to put the template on.

[Piggy89373]

Here's the link for the one I liked the best. (http://forums.radiocontrolzone.com/showthread.php?t=175047&page=2&pp=25&highlight=paint+competition) All the characters were done by hand, only the backgrounds were painted with an airbrush.

For a template, your best bet is to use your computer. Find the font you like, type out what you want, resize it to fit the body you want, and then create a mirror image of it so it's backwards. Print out the mirrored image, tape it to the outside of the body and paint away. It works for characters, that's what I did for Courage, and works great for script. The hardest part is keeping a steady hand. Check your PM for my aim, I sent it to you last night.

[luvnitro]

I have a body that does not have any decals or window masks. What do I need to buy to cut out window masks for this body? Where can i buy it? The headlights, tailights, and grill can be painted on. Thanks.

[Piggy89373]

Nitro, I've yet to use any of the window masks supplied with the bodies. I've seen way too many instances of those things bleeding. If you're using liquid masking, just cut out the window and window trim. It's a bit of a pain, but you get exactly what you want with no bleeding.

[luvnitro]

Piggy, This will be my first. Where do you get liquid mask, atthe hobby shop? Do you just paint it on? Thanks.