Lexan Picture Glue.... any alternatives??

Redfox · #1 11-15-2002, 10:35 PM

Ok, so i was reading an old RCCA article about gluing Britney to your TC body with something like XXX-main Lexan Picture Glue...

So i decided that i wanna stick a picture of Marvin the Martian on the inside of my 1/8th buggy body...

But since i live in australia, XXX-main stuff is kinda hard to come by... and i don't think my LHS stocks Parma Faskoat (whatever that is... clear polycarbonate paint or something??)

I was wondering if there are any good alternatives to this that you can buy at your local hardware store...

I was thinkin that maybe some Selleys Aquadhere (that white woodworking glue that dries clear) would work, but i'm not too sure and i don't wanna stuff up. Also, by applying glue to your magazine picture, does it make the picture all wet and wrinkly??

If i can't get it to work, i might need to trace it and paint him by hand onto the inside of the body...

Any help would be much appreciated...

Cheers,

Chris

skidmark_racing · #2 11-16-2002, 12:28 AM

There are several different glues you can use. One I prefer is called Mod Podge. Its cheap, and its easily accesible - you can pick it up at any arts and crafts store. I have also heard of people using canopy glue - but not sure of its properties or where to get it.

Since you may not have that brand, you need to find a glue that has a water based sealer that dries clear - some come with a matte finish and gloss - either of which is fine. I dont think wood glue would cut it due to the fact that it wouldnt stick well to the plastic.

You will be limited in time to glue the picture into the body. Here is what you do: Draw on the outside of the body the outline of the picture. Take some 1000 or 1500 grit sandpaper, and scuff that area that you drew out (on the inside of the body). Doing this will help the glue adhere to the body. Next step it putting the glue on the picture (avoid making circles - you dont want airbubbles), and evenly cover it. Next place it in the guidelines you drew, and quickly smooth it out - carefully pushing the excess glue to the edges. Dont worry if you dont get it all out, it will dry clear. It doesnt take long for the glue to saturate the picture, which makes it easy to tear. Take a damp cloth (lint free) and wipe away the excess glue you pushed out, but dont worry about getting it all of, because it dries clear.

Best advice I can give you is get a coke bottle and practice a few pictures before you go and try it on the real thing - that way you will get it down, and know what to expect. Nothing worse than having to hang a body on the wall of shame cuz you rushed it.

Hope that helps!!

Here is a pic I did - got the "Drive it like you stole it" out of a magazine...

FrankW · #3 11-16-2002, 01:08 AM

Elmers White glue works very well. Non-toxic, easy to find, dries clear, water clean up, etc.

-Frank

oniram13 · #4 11-16-2002, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by FrankW
Elmers White glue works very well. Non-toxic, easy to find, dries clear, water clean up, etc.

-Frank

does elmers hold up with nitro bodies as well..I have used the xxx-main glue with great success but the stuff is rather expensive..this one was done with xxx-main...

FrankW · #5 11-16-2002, 03:07 PM

From what I can tell xxx-main glue and Elmers White glue are very similar. I've used both. xxx-main might be a little more flexible, but I haven't had a flex problem with Elmers.

-Frank

HauntedMyst · #6 11-16-2002, 08:10 PM

In talking with the guy at XXX Main, the only simularity between Elmers white glue and XXX Main is the fact that their both white and water based. XXX Main was specifically designed to withstand impacts, which it does very well, Elmers does not. I've used Elmers on a few bodies and all of them popped their graphics on impact. If you absolutely can't get the XXX Main glue, then Elmers Gel glue (it looks blue) is your next best choice. It doesn't brush on as nicely as the XXX Main glue, but it will do the job and will absorb impact better then regular white Elmers. The XXX Main really isn't that expensive since one tub will do many bodies and its made specifically for RC bodies.

Redfox · #7 11-16-2002, 11:17 PM

Cool, thanks for the help fellas... i will do my best to find some XXX-main glue then, but failing that i will scour the local arts and crafts stores for glues similar to the ones you suggested...

Hopefully i can find a good picture of marvin to stick on my body... don't wanna colour print it cos the colours might run... i think i'm gonna hafta visit a warner bros store or something...

oniram13 · #8 11-17-2002, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Redfox

Hopefully i can find a good picture of marvin to stick on my body... don't wanna colour print it cos the colours might run... i think i'm gonna hafta visit a warner bros store or something...

look for wraping paper or party favors with Marvin on them thats where I got the pics. of Scooby Doo.....

Redfox · #9 11-17-2002, 02:19 AM

cool thanks oniram13... i was hoping to get that pic that i posted in the first post. But i guess i can try to get wrap or something, good idea!

Hopefully they have wrap that features a not so happy martian...

XR400 · #10 11-17-2002, 09:56 PM

Hey Redfox.
You can get XXX Main Lexan Pitcure Glue from Radio Model Supplies in Perth Radio Model Supplies Their part number for it is XXXZ001

Redfox · #11 11-17-2002, 11:27 PM

Cheers mate... any idea what the postage is like?? i might order the glue and some paint masks...

XR400 · #12 11-17-2002, 11:59 PM

My last order was three body shells and that cost $10 for postage to Victoria.
Not too bad.

Redfox · #13 11-18-2002, 02:08 AM

That's not such a bad price... and they take money order as well... seems to be a good place to shop for stuff in oz. Now i jsut need to get me a job so i can fuel this habit of mine! =]

Where in VIC are you?? I've been going to melb quite a lot recently...

XR400 · #14 11-18-2002, 03:06 AM

I am in Castlemaine. That is about an hour and a quarter north of Melbourne, heading towards Bendigo (up the Calder Highway).

Check out our club site and come up and race with us when you are in the area. :-)

bad andy · #15 11-18-2002, 12:19 PM

DUDE! - I am doing this with that exact same pic of Marvin, although not on a 1/8 buggy. As an alternative, I've actually used clear silicone caulk. It's very inexpensive and works very well, especially through the 'crash factor' since it is so pliable. Just make sure you have a thin even coat and don't trap any air bubbles.
Good luck w/Marvin!

Redfox · #16 11-18-2002, 07:50 PM

rofl bad andy! Yeah it's a mad pic eh?! hehehe

what do you mean by clear silicon caulk?? Like the silicon you get out of a caulking gun?? Yeah i have some of that lying around. I would be worried about putting it on too thick so you can't see the image... how do you apply it evenly, because it is fairly sticky stuff and quite gooey...

Also, if i do stuff it up, is it very hard to get the silicon off the body?? I think i'm gonna do a few experiments with some magazine cutouts and some coke bottles...

Also, if this all fails to work i was thinkin of stickin it inside the body and then tracing all the important lines, masking them (might use some liquid mask if i can find some) and then actually spraying the image. Marvin is quite a simple character to draw and i imagine he couldnt' be too hard to paint. Britney is hard to paint, so that's why you would stick her on... but marvin is just solid colours. Maybe if i use a permanent marker (like a sharpie) to paint the black lines, it would be ok... i just don't want the marker to disappear if you paint over it cos the paints have solvents in them... hrmmmmmm

I might try using some lexan paints from the little paint cans and a fine brush to draw/trace marvin...

bad andy · #17 11-19-2002, 09:20 AM

I would definately recommend practicing- it makes perfect ya know? In any case, the silicone stuff is a little gooey - I've applied it with a brush and made sure it is an even coat. Small bubbles can be worked out towards the edges and then wiped clean with a wet rag (before the silicone is dry of course) I don't remember the specific brand I've used - just make sure it is a 'clear' caulk. The stuff is extremely resilient so I wouldn't worry about crashes too much - the pic is not coming off. You can even further protect it by doing a protective coat on top of the pic after you've applied it , this will 'seal' it from the greasy elements of R/C fun.
Good luck-
oh, here's two pics I did using this method in case you want to see some results...
http://www.myplanet.net/martyr2/nitroshark.htm
http://www.myplanet.net/martyr2/tink.htm

Yendor · #18 11-19-2002, 12:04 PM

Redfox;

I've never tried the picture gule so I can't speak to that. However, I have painted a great deal of figures on bodies and I am no artist. Here is how I'd do it. As long as Marvin is the right size, tape him on the outside of the body and make sure he lies nice and flat. With a small artist brush, paint all the black lines from the inside using Pactra RC Lacquer. You may need to go over the lines several times so that they are very solid. After the lines have dried you can paint the solid colors one at a time using liquid mask to cover the parts you don't want painted. I would apply the mask using the same type of artist brush. Each color will require a different coat of mask, so it does take some time. Liquid mask will not pull the paint up the way tape sometimes can.
This is the way I painted the SpongeBob car that was in RC Car Action several issues ago.

funkyboogalooo · #19 11-19-2002, 04:33 PM

Spooky, I was thinking that maybe clear silicone would do it cos it sticks like you know what. Trouble is I thought the pic would have to be put on a masked area after painting cos the silicone is a nightmare to clean off and the paint would'nt adhere to it.
Maybe masking a rough shape just slightly smaller than the pic then putting the pic on after.
Waddya reckon?

unashi · #20 11-20-2002, 10:31 AM

here is a new alternative from JACKAL HOBBIES....they are internal paint transfers...better than decals, and actually melt into the paint there are tons of cool designs to choose from 1/10 and micro scale!!!!
they go on the INSIDE of the lexan body. Forget the glue....
You can buy them here:
www.cactustrax.com

www.cactustrax.com

HauntedMyst · #21 11-20-2002, 12:34 PM

Not that I don't appreciate your attempt to promote your business in every single post you've made but the Jackal Graphics aren't an alternative to picture glue since they don't let you use your own picture or graphics the way picture glue does.

froggie · #22 11-20-2002, 06:47 PM

Rather then using a Sharpie for outlines, try using this type of "paint pen". I think Exacto makes it. Just fill the well with paint and it draws out the tip. You need to scuff the surface to allow the paint to flow on the surface.

I print out a picture and tape it to the outside of the body. Then with a not so steady hand, I paint the outline. This body was recylced, which is why there are some flaws.

froggie · #23 11-20-2002, 06:47 PM

I double posted by accident.

Since Marvin uses solid colors, try it by hand. If you take your time, you'll be pleased with the end result.

AceCoolie · #24 11-20-2002, 07:21 PM

When you use the xxx picture glue, do you have to worry about dark colors seeping thru your picture? I know the general rule to painting is that you paint your darkest color first. If I have a light colored picture and go over it with black later, will it make it darker?

HauntedMyst · #25 11-20-2002, 08:33 PM

It may darken slightly but not significantly. I've never had one darken when I've backed it with black.