A clear polycarbonate (Lexan) body is a blank canvas, and painting one yourself is easier than it looks. Because you paint the inside, the paint is protected by the body itself, so it doesn't chip when you crash. This guide covers the paint, tools and steps for a clean first paint job, from washing the shell to mounting it on your car.
What you need
- A clear body made for your chassis. It usually comes with window masks and decals.
- Polycarbonate paint. Use paint made for Lexan, like Spaz Stix or Tamiya PS paints. Regular hobby or hardware-store paint will crack and flake off a flexible RC body.
- Masking tape for stripes and two-color designs. Thin tape like Spaz Stix 3mm precision tape follows curves cleanly.
- Curved and straight body scissors and a body reamer for trimming and making mounting holes. The Racers Edge body scissors and reamer set has all three.
- Dish soap, a hobby knife, and a well-ventilated space.
Step 1: Wash the inside of the body
Factory bodies have mold-release residue and fingerprints that stop paint from sticking. Wash the inside with warm water and dish soap, rinse well, and let it dry completely. From here on, handle the body by the edges or wear gloves.
Step 2: Mask the windows and your design
Stick the included window masks to the inside of the body. Press every edge down firmly with a fingernail or the back of a hobby knife, because paint will creep under any lifted edge. Then add tape for stripes, panels or two-tone designs.
Leave the protective overspray film on the outside of the body. It keeps the outside clean while you paint and peels off at the end.
Step 3: Plan your colors, light to dark
This is the part that trips up first-time painters. On a clear body, the first color you spray is the one you see from the outside. Every later coat goes behind it. So:
- Paint details and light colors first (white, yellow, orange, fluorescents).
- Remove the tape for the next section, then spray the darker colors.
- Finish with a backer over everything: black, white or silver. It makes light colors pop and stops them looking see-through.
Black backer like Spaz Stix high gloss black backer works behind most colors, and white backer like Spaz Stix white glow backer keeps bright colors vivid.
Step 4: Spray light coats
Shake the can well. Hold it about 8 to 12 inches from the body and spray several light coats, letting each one dry for 10 to 20 minutes. The first coat should look thin and patchy. Heavy coats run, pool in corners and take far longer to dry. Hold the body up to a light to check coverage; when no light shows through, that color is done.
Special finishes: chrome, candy and color change
- Mirror chrome: spray light coats of Spaz Stix Ultimate Mirror Chrome, then back it with the matching Ultimate Black Backer. Any other backer will dull the chrome.
- Candy colors: candies are translucent, like tinted glass. Spray candy blue or another candy first, then back it with silver metallic backer so it shines.
- Color change (chameleon): paints like Spaz Stix blue/red color change shift color with the light, and also need a dark backer behind them.
- Window tint: a light coat of candy black window tint on the windows gives a realistic tinted look.
Step 5: Let it cure, then trim
Let the paint cure overnight before trimming. Then cut along the trim lines with curved scissors for wheel wells and rounded edges, and straight scissors for long cuts. Cut a little outside the line first, then trim back to it.
Step 6: Make the mounting holes
Set the body on the chassis and mark where the body posts touch it. A dab of paint or marker on the top of each post works well. Twist a body reamer from the outside in, starting small and widening slowly until the post fits. A hole that is too big is hard to fix, so go slowly.
Step 7: Peel, decal and mount
Peel off the outside overspray film and the window masks. Apply decals to the outside of the body, and smooth them from the center out to remove bubbles. Mount the body and fit the clips.
Want a body that's ready to go? Many of our RC bodies come pre-painted, while clear bodies like the 1970 Chevelle SS 454 for the Kyosho Fazer Mk2 or the Audi R8 LMS for Fazer Mk2 are ready for your own design. Browse all paint and supplies.
Frequently asked questions
Do you paint an RC body on the inside or the outside?
The inside. The clear plastic protects the paint, so it won't scratch or chip. Decals go on the outside.
Can I use regular spray paint on a Lexan body?
No. Regular paint doesn't flex with polycarbonate, so it cracks and peels the first time the body bends. Use paint made for polycarbonate.
Which color do I spray first?
Light colors and small details first, darker colors next, and a backer coat last.
How long should paint dry before trimming?
Wait 10 to 20 minutes between coats, and let the finished body cure overnight before you trim or mount it.
Questions about paint or which body fits your car? Call us at 202-888-3669, or find more how-tos on our RC Guides page.