How To Paint RC Car Bodies

Posted on 10 January 2025

Painting an RC (radio-controlled) car body can be fun and rewarding, bringing your RC car to life with a custom look. Whether you're a seasoned RC hobbyist or a newcomer, learning how to paint your car's body properly can help you create a unique design and even improve the durability of the car's body itself. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential tools, the detailed process, and tips to achieve a professional finish on your RC car.

Tools and Materials Needed:

To start, gather the following tools and materials to make the painting process smoother and ensure high-quality results:

Polycarbonate paint: RC car bodies are made of polycarbonate, also known as lexan, so you’ll need specially formulated paint designed for that type of plastic. This paint adheres well and is flexible to prevent cracking.
Masking tape: It is essential for creating clean lines and protecting areas that shouldn’t be painted. Use painter’s tape or specialized masking tape for RC bodies.
Clear coat: One great thing about painting lexan RC car bodies is that you paint them on the inside, so you can skip this common step when painting. The clear plastic becomes the clear coat.
Scissors and precision knife: You’ll need small, sharp scissors to cut masking tape and a precision knife for detailed work.
Cleaning solution: Use a mild soap or specific cleaner for polycarbonate bodies to remove oils, dirt, and residue.
Sandpaper (optional): After the car body is cut out, lightly sand the cut edges with fine sandpaper. 400 to 600 grit works best to smooth out any roughness, or micro-cracks, and actually helps the body last longer.
Lint-free cloth: For drying and wiping the body without leaving lint or fibres behind.

Step-by-Step Process:

Clean the RC car body

Start with a cleaned RC car body to ensure the paint adheres well and provides a smooth finish. If the body has any previous paint or sticker residue:

Remove old paint: Use a plastic-safe colour stripper to remove existing paint, especially if you’re repainting. Apply the stripper carefully according to the manufacturer’s instructions, avoiding overuse to prevent damaging the polycarbonate. We recommend using a purpose made quality lexan cleaner like Tamiya Polycarbonate body cleaner to strip the paint.
Wash the body: Mix mild soap with warm water to wash the body. Use a lint-free cloth to scrub the surface gently, then rinse thoroughly to remove any soap residue.
Dry completely: Ensure the body is completely dry before moving to the next step. Residual water will ruin the paint job by causing streaks or uneven application.

Masking

Masking is one of the most crucial steps in the painting process. It defines the edges and ensures a clean separation between colours and designs.

Apply masking tape: Use masking tape to cover areas that won’t be painted. Start with broad areas and use narrow strips for edges or intricate designs.
Cut clean lines: Use a precision knife to carefully cut and remove masking tape sections for shapes and designs. Be careful not to score the lexan when you do this as it could create a weak spot where the body may crack in the future.
Smooth the tape: Run your finger along the tape edges to ensure they’re sealed tightly, preventing paint from bleeding underneath.
Consider Liquid Mask: Liquid masking films are useful when trying to mask off oddly shaped pieces. Liquid mask is applied in a thick layer, allowed to dry, and the excess is then trimmed carefully with a hobby blade. (Link: https://www.pmhobbycraft.ca/search/liquid+mask/)

Know your painting order

RC Car bodies are nearly always painted from the inside, in a reverse order to what people normally would think. This means that darkest colours should be put down first followed by lighter colours.

Apply the first coats:

The first coats are often the detail colours for your RC Car and will provide the intricacies for the design. Because polycarbonate paint is typically applied to the inside the car body, you want to make sure that all of your details are in place before you put down your base coat.

Apply light coats: Spray a thin layer of paint from a distance of around 10-12 inches. Avoid heavy coats, as they can lead to dripping and uneven coverage.
Let it dry: Allow each coat to dry completely before adding another. Because lexan is a heat formed plastic, never use a heat gun or a hot hair dryer to try and speed up the process or else you will warp the body. Cool air circulation can help speed the drying process if necessary but keep it on a low setting and maintain a safe distance.

Add colours

After the details are in place, you can build on your design by adding more colours. Be careful to add lighter colours as you go to avoid a base layer showing through your details. For example if you have a white detail that is going to be backed by a darker colour, make sure that there is enough white paint to stop the darker colour from showing through. One trick is to paint your light colours and then back them with silver before adding any other colour. The silver will stop bleed-through dead in it’s tracks.

Keep adding more colours or accents to bring your design to life.

Remove masking tape for new areas: Carefully peel off the tape from areas you want to paint next.
Apply colour in layers: Use light, even coats of the colour paint. Multiple light layers are more effective than a single heavy coat.
Repeat for each colour: Continue adding layers and different colours as needed, allowing each coat to dry thoroughly before moving on.

Layer more coats, colours, and decals

Once all of the colours are applied, you can add a base coat, (or backer) for a deeper colour and then apply decals to add intricate designs.

Add a backer for depth: Some colours may require a backer to achieve the desired vibrancy. Always apply coats carefully to avoid creating a run which might show through your layers.
Apply decals: Decals add style and detail. Apply them to the outside of the RC body after the paint has dried to avoid any smudging. For the very best results, apply the decals using an application liquid made from a weak solution of soapy water with a little isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle. Spray a fine mist on the body and on the sticky side of the decal. Apply to the body and squeegee out the liquid for a bubble free finish. Let sit for 24 hours to make sure that the adhesive has set.

Let it cure

Allow the painted RC car body to cure fully. This will ensure the paint is hard and resilient, making it less prone to cracking or chipping.

Pro tip:

Work in a ventilated area: Polycarbonate paint can have strong fumes, so always work in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors or with windows open.

Ready to Customize Your RC Car?

With the right tools, careful planning, and attention to detail, you can create a stunning custom paint job to make your RC car stand out. If you’re looking for quality tools and paints, check out PM Hobbycraft’s RC car kits, paints, and tools collection. Whether you need specialty polycarbonate paints, high-quality masking tape, clear coats, or precision tools, PM Hobbycraft in Calgary has everything you need to bring your vision to life.

Ready to start painting? Call PM Hobbycraft today for more details. Good luck with your next RC car customization project!