Paint Flakes

[PyroMike]

Is it normal for paint to flake off when it was made for Lexan?

[Pig]

Not really. Some paints won't hold up too well, despite being designed for lexan. Chrome is notorious for this. However, for most other paints, chipping is indicative of one of two things: coats were too thick or the body wasn't sufficiently prep'd. Keep the coats extremely light and allow adequate time for drying and curing. Wash the body and rinse it thoroughly before painting. I go two extra steps by scuffing the body where I intend to paint and I wipe down the inside of the body with rubbing alcohol prior to spraying or putting down liquid masking.

[dsilver668]

Not really. Some paints won't hold up too well, despite being designed for lexan. Chrome is notorious for this. However, for most other paints, chipping is indicative of one of two things: coats were too thick or the body wasn't sufficiently prep'd. Keep the coats extremely light and allow adequate time for drying and curing. Wash the body and rinse it thoroughly before painting. I go two extra steps by scuffing the body where I intend to paint and I wipe down the inside of the body with rubbing alcohol prior to spraying or putting down liquid masking.

Hi PIG,
What do you use to scuff the lexan. I am kind of paranoid that the scratches will show trough. I know if you are glueing graphics using picture glue you are suposed to scuff the surface, but the glue fills in the scratches.
I have rubbed down the surface with denatured acohol to make sure it is clean. I know if you plan on using chrome paint you shouldn't scuff the surface as it will show up.
I haven't had to many problems, except where there is constant rubbing on the body by a pip or other part.
You are correct though puting it down in light coats, and using a hair dryer or time to let it cure and release it's flashing agent, ie the smelly stuff to let it dry. Also don't run your body right away. Let it sit for a day or so to completly cure, and you should be fine.
:D

[Dave]

You're always going to get rub marks wherever the body contacts any parts of the car. You can minimize this by putting something in those areas to protect the paint. After the body is painted I usually put masking tape along the insides of the wheel wells and the doors. If I can, I'll put some self-adhesive foam sheets that you can pick up at Wal-Mart in the arts and craft section, where the body post and shock towers contact. This gives the body some cushion too. I don't scuff the bodies I paint for the same reason you are worried about. I don't want to take the chance that the scuff marks will show up.

[PyroMike]

Thanks for the help guys. Im still got the motion down for making modles not rc car body painting. Thanks agin

[team3six]

Hey Dave! A buddy and I recently found a new trick for the Nitro RC's that not only help's in protecting the paint, but also help in dissappating the heat from the engine and the muffler. 3M as well as Dupont makes an adhesive chrome tape used for duct work. It is easy to cut and when it is placed on the inside of the body you can rub it out very fine to give it that shiny look if it matters to some people. It is strong enough to absorb a good hit to not come though on the paint. Me and several of our team mates as well as a couple of others at our local track have used it and tested it with a temp gun or heat sensor and it has shown that heat has been affected by as much as 19% lower. We have actually gained a small fraction more of run time due to the tape. Though I am not a scientist, I really am not sure why the tape is able to create that affect concidering it is on the inside of the body. But we all are very happy with it's results. Thanks

[nitroracerx7]

Is it normal for paint to flake off when it was made for Lexan?

Depends on the paint..and how hard the crash... :eek: I've started using Faskolor paint for most everything...as it will not crash out. I simply wash my bodies out with warm, soapy, water..dry completely....mask and paint. If I know it will get rubbed by an air cleaner or something...I'll stick a bit of masking tape to the underside, to help lessen the damage to the paint.

[Pig]

I regularly peruse the beauty department of Wal-Mart for paint supplies. I'm odd enough to enjoy the weird looks everyone gives me. But, I use the large pink emory boards in fine grit to scuff up the body. The scuff marks are fine enough to provide the increase in surface area I want.

After scuffing the body with these boards, I wash it thoroughly again and wipe it down with rubbing alcohol and paper towels.

The scuff marks will NOT show up with XXXMain picture glue. The glue fills in the scuffs completely. It'll even fill in scuffs from scotchbrite pads.

[PyroMike]

Depends on the paint..and how hard the crash... :eek: I've started using Faskolor paint for most everything...as it will not crash out. I simply wash my bodies out with warm, soapy, water..dry completely....mask and paint. If I know it will get rubbed by an air cleaner or something...I'll stick a bit of masking tape to the underside, to help lessen the damage to the paint.
I was used the Testors spray cans.

[team3six]

Hey Dave! A buddy and I recently found a new trick for the Nitro RC's that not only help's in protecting the paint, but also help in dissappating the heat from the engine and the muffler. 3M as well as Dupont makes an adhesive chrome tape used for duct work. It is easy to cut and when it is placed on the inside of the body you can rub it out very fine to give it that shiny look if it matters to some people. It is strong enough to absorb a good hit to not come though on the paint. Me and several of our team mates as well as a couple of others at our local track have used it and tested it with a temp gun or heat sensor and it has shown that heat has been affected by as much as 19% lower. We have actually gained a small fraction more of run time due to the tape. Though I am not a scientist, I really am not sure why the tape is able to create that affect concidering it is on the inside of the body. But we all are very happy with it's results. Thanks
Just in case someone wanted to read this in protecting thier RC. I thought I would re-post it

[Stan@1stPlaceRace]

If you are using faskolors try spraying a light coat of faskoat on before you do any painting. I paint and race at my house ( hey check out Northern Nevadas largest track and free racing club lacated at my home, www.1stPlaceRace.com ) anyways Im telling ya, the paint holds up like you would not believe,

Also if you have a few spare bones you can get kevlar tape (bullet proof vest material ) online. It has kept my pipe from wearing onto the paint for about 2 gallons of fuel.