First Time Painting A Body.

[Nitro_Freak_22]

Can anyone tell me how to paint my new body its an lotus elise from HPI and I'm using black on it. i have two cans of pactra polycarb black since I'm new to painting a body. any help would be apreciated .

 

[joneser4u]

Put the supplied window mask on the windows and spray away? Shake can, take the black cap off the top of the can, press the nozzel button and aim for the car?

 

[FRIDGE]

LOL yeap thats how you paint! do light coats first wash the body in warm soapy water. dont take the protective film off but make sure you wash it wiht the warm water and a bit of dish washing liquid. then allow the body to air dry. the first coat should be a verry light cust coat. just get a little bit of paint on the whole thing. thus giving the name a dust coat. then let the first coat dry. apply the next coat in a thin coat. be patient and do not apply a heavy coat. after every coat check your window mask and make sure they they are stuck down properly. the body is done when you hold it up to the light and you cont see any light through it. if its a small bit then just touch it wiht a quick spray. if you spray a heavy coat you WILL have runs and drips. take the time and make it look professional.

 

[ImBroken]

Like Fridge mentioned.... LIGHT coats of paint are key to a good looking paint job... You could speed up the dry time by using a hair dryer on low heat between coats. It may take 8-10 light coats, before you have full coverage.
Good luck, & post some pics of the finished lid...

 

[FRIDGE]

i would have added the hair dryer but hees in El Paso its already hot he would pass out wiht all that heat LOL.

 

[MustangMan]

After doing a bunch of bodies for fellow employees I've learned one thing. If you have hard water, like we do here in FL, DON'T let your car air dry. If you do there will be hard water spots on the Lexan and if you don't notice it (ask me how I know!) then they will be trapped between the Lexan and the paint, making it look awful! pps:

I usually use a lint free towel to wipe away the water after washing...

Another thing I do and it wasn't mentioned in previous posts, is to mark and cut all holes while the body is clear. Trust me, it's much easier to mark the stinger location, and other openings while the Lexan is unpainted... :thumbup:

My

 

[spongebobspongebob]

I've never painted a body, but I've read that you should scuff the surfaces to be painted with scotchbrite.

 

[Nitro_Freak_22]

Thanks for the help guys and Fridge you're right it is very hot here in el paso so i would but it is highly rare to see that happen here in el paso unless it is during the summer which would suck. Do any of you guys know how to make flames on a body or any company that makes flame vinals that go on before the paint goes on.

Thanks for the help

 

[Team 17]

Your local LHS should have the vinyl sheets. If not, check tower. XXX-main makes some nice looking masks

 

[Nitro_Freak_22]

Sorry to bring this thread up again but my cousin is getting a painted body from jackal hobbies and he's wondering what easy way would he be able to cut the body post holes since the body is already painted and you can't see where the body posts are.

Any help would be apreciated.

 

[Candyman]

There are a couple of methods. One is to shine a bright light up from underneath the car while the body is positioned. You should be able to see the body posts through the paint at least good enough to mark where they go.
Or the other way is to put something on the tips of the body posts. I recommend something like peanut butter or grease. Put the body in position then lower it down until the posts touch the inside of the body. Then when you lift it up, the position of the posts will be marked on the inside....