Can you use acrylic paint on an RC body?

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MrPokey

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Arrma RC's
  1. Mojave 4s
I recently bought a clear polycarbonate body from Arrma. Since I have a lot of paints, I was wondering if I could paint the body using acrylics instead of spray paints. Just asking if that is possible, or should I just stick to using sprays. Also, would acrylics wipe off when they get wet?
 
I recently bought a clear polycarbonate body from Arrma. Since I have a lot of paints, I was wondering if I could paint the body using acrylics instead of spray paints. Just asking if that is possible, or should I just stick to using sprays. Also, would acrylics wipe off when they get wet?
You should stick to paint specifically for polycarbonates. Like Tamiya PS paints and NOT their TS. The reason is a small amount of flexibility that the dried paint provides. Standard enamels and acrylics don’t flex, so when your body shell has an impact the paint will crack and shear off the surface.
Polycarbonate paints are available in liquids or rattle cans.
Don’t forget to paint the inside, and not the outside!
 
You should stick to paint specifically for polycarbonates. Like Tamiya PS paints and NOT their TS. The reason is a small amount of flexibility that the dried paint provides. Standard enamels and acrylics don’t flex, so when your body shell has an impact the paint will crack and shear off the surface.
Polycarbonate paints are available in liquids or rattle cans.
Don’t forget to paint the inside, and not the outside!
I have a friend who repainted one of his bodies on the outside, and didn't realize it until I told him. When he used it, ever single scrape and ding would show on it :LOL:
 
I have a friend who repainted one of his bodies on the outside, and didn't realize it until I told him. When he used it, ever single scrape and ding would show on it :LOL:
Its a learning curve. Everyone makes mistakes. Paint the same color on the inside..it would not show as much when the outside paint gets scraped off.
 
I painted a body with dollar store acrylic paints before. It worked, was great for what i needed, looked better than hitting it with a spray can just so it wasn't see-thru. All the decals kind of hide all the missing paint from the flexing and rough usage.
Do I recommend it? Nope. But it worked, sort of.
 
I recently bought a clear polycarbonate body from Arrma. Since I have a lot of paints, I was wondering if I could paint the body using acrylics instead of spray paints. Just asking if that is possible, or should I just stick to using sprays. Also, would acrylics wipe off when they get wet?
So acrylic paint will eventually crack / flake off..you need to use polycarbonate paint. I use a lot of acrylic paint for airbrushing but on cloth and crafts .you can use acrylic on a body cover if you plan on just showing it off on a shelf .you would need to prep the inside very well by scuffing it good so it byte's well.but for everyday bashing acrylic is not recommended.good luck😁👍

Painting tip.. regardless of type of paint , I suggest you do three very light coats. First coat should be extremely light..acts as a primer coat, second coat will byte to it easier then third coat a little heavier and if desired a forth coat to finish.also if you like to air brush they do make polycarbonate paint for that.i suggest thinning it with isopropyl alcohol 1/1 parts meaning 50 percent paint 50; percent isopropyl alcohol. 😁👍
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So acrylic paint will eventually crack / flake off..you need to use polycarbonate paint. I use a lot of acrylic paint for airbrushing but on cloth and crafts .you can use acrylic on a body cover if you plan on just showing it off on a shelf .you would need to prep the inside very well by scuffing it good so it byte's well.but for everyday bashing acrylic is not recommended.good luck😁👍

Painting tip.. regardless of type of paint , I suggest you do three very light coats. First coat should be extremely light..acts as a primer coat, second coat will byte to it easier then third coat a little heavier and if desired a forth coat to finish.also if you like to air brush they do make polycarbonate paint for that.i suggest thinning it with isopropyl alcohol 1/1 parts meaning 50 percent paint 50; percent isopropyl alcohol. 😁👍
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I might use paint to make a body for shelf, because of the detail you can squeeze in with paint. I'm probably gonna use the original body for bashing though. Thanks for the info.
 
This is how acrylic flakes off of a body.
Looks good on the outside though, and in fairness, I can touch it up in 10-15 minutes with a brush and nobody knows better, til I start bashing and the paint starts flaking again.

563F7C4E-9260-4363-85AF-F9C66AEF09A9.webp


997D2539-32DF-471F-BDC5-5B7AB3DF0B25.webp
 
This is how acrylic flakes off of a body.
Looks good on the outside though, and in fairness, I can touch it up in 10-15 minutes with a brush and nobody knows better, til I start bashing and the paint starts flaking again.

View attachment 376644

View attachment 376645
Great example, thanks for sharing that. There have been a number of people over time here who asked the question, got the answers, and said, “aw heck, I’m gonna do it anyway.” If they see your picture they might think twice.
 
I recently bought a clear polycarbonate body from Arrma. Since I have a lot of paints, I was wondering if I could paint the body using acrylics instead of spray paints. Just asking if that is possible, or should I just stick to using sprays. Also, would acrylics wipe off when they get wet?
Lexan paint only or you will waste your $. :cool:
 
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