How to Paint RC Truck Bodies
Remote-controlled trucks are enjoyed by hobbyists of all ages, and part of their appeal is built around the potential for making each model look unique. Enthusiasts can paint their much-loved models in the colors of a favorite company or simply expand their imaginations to create an original design that will draw gasps of approval from other remote-controlled-truck owners. To create the perfect RC truck body paint job, a steady hand and some special equipment will be required.
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Things You'll Need
- Hobbyist screwdriver set
- Hobbyist wrench set
- Small container
- Hobbyist knife
- Warm, soapy water
- Lint-free cloth
- Masking tape
- Masking paper
- Transparent aerosol plastic primer
- Hobbyist paint
- Airbrush
- Compressed air
Instructions
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Use a hobbyist screwdriver and wrench set to remove all fixtures that hold the RC truck body in place. RC trucks are actually painted from the inside on a transparent shell to help protect the paintwork, and removing the body will promote easier access. Keep screws and nuts in a container and store them safely away to prevent them from being lost.
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Remove the existing paintwork carefully. Avoid the use of solvent-based thinners as this will melt the plastic truck body. Instead, use a hobbyist knife to lift the paint on a hidden edge and the existing coating should peel away quite easily. Rinse the truck body thoroughly with warm, soapy water to remove any traces of mold that may have accumulated during use. Dry the truck thoroughly with a clean, lint-free cloth.
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Mask out sections on the inside of the RC truck body that you don't want to paint. This can include window areas or sections where you'd like to apply different colors at a later stage. Remember to completely mask out the outside of the RC truck body because over-spray will ruin the effect of paint colors on the inside of the body.
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Apply a single coat of transparent aerosol plastic primer to the inside of the RC truck body. This will adhere well and also prevents paint from splitting once it is applied despite RC truck bodies' flexibility. Activate the colored paint in accordance with the technical data sheets provided. Add to the paint pot of a hobbyist airbrush while the transparent aerosol plastic primer flashes off for a period of five minutes.
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Apply the colored paint in a series of individual coats. Hold the airbrush approximately 6 to 8 inches away from the inner RC truck body and use a smooth, flowing sideways motion to ensure even coverage. Airbrushes are unable to disperse paint in high volumes, so be prepared to add several extra coats to avoid opacity problems.
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Leave the RC truck body to dry overnight. Once the paint has fully cured, remove the masking carefully, ensuring that the edge of the tape is pulled off at 45 degree angle to the surface of the body to help prevent peeling. Apply additional masking for stripes or secondary colors and follow the same process to complete the truck body. Do not add a clear coat to your work. The outer shell of the RC truck body has a shiny coating that gives the appearance of a protective layer once it has been unmasked.
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References
- Photo Credit rc-modellauto image by andreas from Fotolia.com
