How to Paint an RC Car Body: A Step-by-Step Guide for a Pro-Level Finish

A very fun part of the hobby rc car world is making a car that is all yours. Upgrades are important. But a custom paint job really makes a car stand out. The way you paint RC car body shells might look hard. But with the right tools and steps, anyone can get a great, lasting finish. This guide will make the process easy to understand. It will break it down into simple steps to help you turn a clear piece of plastic into a piece of art.

Gather Your Essential Painting Supplies

Before you can start your custom RC body painting project, you need the right tools. It is very important to use the correct materials. They are made just for the special plastic of RC bodies. If you rush this step or use the wrong things, you will not be happy with the result.

Here is a list of the important things you will need:

• A Clear Polycarbonate RC Body: Make sure it is the right size and style for your rc car.
• Polycarbonate-Specific Spray Paint: This is very important. Normal spray paint is hard. It will crack and fall off the flexible body. Polycarbonate paint is made to stick to the plastic and bend with it.
• Masking Material: You can use good masking tape for straight lines. Or you can use a liquid masking film for designs with curves.
• A Sharp Hobby Knife: You will need this to trim the body and cut your masked designs.
• Curved Lexan Scissors: These make cutting the body and wheel wells cleaner and easier than just using a knife.
• A Body Reamer: This is for making clean, round holes for the body posts.
• Dish Soap and a Lint-Free Cloth: You will need this for the very important first step of cleaning.

Why Body Preparation Is the Most Critical Step

It is easy to want to start the fun part right away. But painters who know what they are doing know that a great finish starts with a perfectly clean surface. New RC bodies have a thin, oily layer on them from the factory. If this oil is not removed, your paint will not stick well. This will cause spots and peeling later on.

The cleaning step is simple. But you must do it well. Wash the whole inside of the body with warm water and a little dish soap. Use a soft cloth to gently scrub every spot. After it’s clean, wash it well with warm water. Let it dry all the way. Or you can use a hairdryer on a low-heat setting. After this, only touch the body by the edges so you do not get fingerprints on the inside.

Master the Art of Masking Your Design

Masking is where your idea for the custom RC body painting starts to come to life. In this step, you cover the parts of the body that you want to stay clear. Or you cover parts you want to paint a different color later. Good masking will give you sharp paint lines.

First, put the window masks that came with the body on the inside. For your own design, you have two main choices. For simple stripes or shapes, you can use good masking tape. Press the edges down hard so paint does not go under it. For harder designs with curves or flames, a liquid mask is the best choice. Paint two or three thick coats on the whole inside of the body. Let it dry all the way. After it is clear, you can draw your design on the outside. Then use a sharp hobby knife to gently cut the mask on the inside. You can then peel away the parts for your first color.

Applying Your First Coats of Paint Correctly

Now it is time for the main event. The best way to get a great finish is to paint RC car body shells from the inside. This protects your paint job from scratches and crashes. The clear plastic acts like a strong, shiny clear coat that is always there.

The most important rule is to always spray your darkest color first. For example, if your design has black parts and a yellow main color, you must paint the black parts first. This is because light colors are not as solid. A dark color sprayed over them will show through and make the color look bad.

When you spray, shake the can well. Keep it about 8-10 inches from the body. Put the paint on in light, even coats. Use a smooth, side-to-side motion. Do not try to cover it all in one pass. This will cause the paint to run. It is better to do three or four very light coats than one heavy one. Let the paint dry for about 10-15 minutes between coats. A hairdryer on a cool setting can help make this faster.

Layering Colors to Create Depth and Vibrancy

After your first and darkest color is all the way dry, you can move to the next one. Just peel the next part of your mask to show the area for your second color. When you spray the new color, let it go over the edge of the first color a little bit. This makes sure there are no clear gaps between them. Do this again for each color. Go from your darkest color to your lightest color until your whole design is done.

If you are using special paints like metallic or bright colors, they will almost always need a solid color behind them to look their best. For example, a metallic silver or a bright orange will look much brighter if you back it with a solid coat of white paint.

How to Back Your Paint Job for Ultimate Durability

The last painting step that makes a paint job great is putting on a backing coat. This step means you seal your whole design with one solid color. This backing coat does two important things. It protects your colorful layers from getting scratched from the inside. And it makes the whole paint job look more solid and finished when you look at it from the outside.

The backing color you choose depends on your design. For bright colors like yellows and whites, a solid white backing coat is the best choice to make them look bright. For darker colors like deep blues or purples, a black backing coat will make them look deeper. Put on two or three even coats of your backing color over the whole inside of the body. Then let it dry all the way.

The Final Reveal and Finishing Touches

This is the most exciting part. After all the paint is completely dry, it's time to see it. First, carefully peel the window masks from the inside. Next, and this is the best part, start to peel off the thin, clear film from the outside of the body. This will show your shiny, great-looking finish. It is protected under the clear plastic.

Now you can put on your decals. To put them on without bubbles, you can spray the area with a little soapy water. This lets you move the decal to the right spot. Then use a soft cloth to push the water out from under it. Last, carefully make the right holes for the body posts and antenna. This is the same for all body types. It is the same for common 1/1-10 RC truck bodies painted for racing and for the shells for large rc cars.

Caring for Your Newly Painted RC Body

A little care will help your custom body look its best. After a drive, wipe the body with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and dirt. For a lot of mud, use gentle soap and water. But do not use strong chemicals that could hurt the plastic. After a crash, check the body for any cracks. You can often fix them from the inside with special tape to make the body last longer.

Conclusion About Custom Painting RC Car Bodies

Making a custom-painted body is a very fun part of the rc car hobby. You can get a finish that looks like a pro did it. You just have to take your time, use the right materials, and follow the steps for cleaning, masking, and painting. The time you put in will be worth it every time you drive your car. It will show off a car that is truly your own.