How to reinforce car body

[Ericehess]

I'm getting a new RC car, Redcat Blackout pro, and want to reinforce the plastic body shell once I get it. I have seen things on using shoe goop(whatever that is) with drywall tape or using rubber spray like flexseal. I'm leaning towards the tape and goop method. Any thoughts? I also want to reinforce the post holes, would gluing washers to the inside do the trick? Or to the outside?

 

[Tunedfrog]

I've used black duck tape.

 

[Ericehess]

Yeah I've got a roll of black gorilla tape..that could work. Much less messy and simpler.

 

[ReMiXeDg]

I have used black gorrila duct tape and yet to have any issues doing so. The body held up very good and strong with the gorilla tape and way less messy and faster process no need to wait for frying or any of that.

 

[johnnydmd]

Clear FlexSeal spray is excellent for protecting the inside paint from scratches. I guess it could add strength to the body if you laid it on thick enough though. There are some other good rubber sprays that I've used in the past as well.

 

[Ericehess]

I like the gorilla tape idea..seems quick and easy..that stuff is tough so should hold up. Flexseal is very thin so would be good for an outer seal..other rubber sprays like rust oleum seem much thicker. How about the post holes..anyone ever shore those up with washers or anything?

 

[johnnydmd]

I like the gorilla tape idea..seems quick and easy..that stuff is tough so should hold up. Flexseal is very thin so would be good for an outer seal..other rubber sprays like rust oleum seem much thicker. How about the post holes..anyone ever shore those up with washers or anything?

I usually use those felt/sponge washers you can get just for that purpose actually. They have a sticky backing.

 

[Ericehess]

I usually use those felt/sponge washers you can get just for that purpose actually. They have a sticky backing.

Do those protect the holes from cracking? Figured something rigid glued around the hole would be good. Where do you get the felt washers?

 

[johnnydmd]

Do those protect the holes from cracking? Figured something rigid glued around the hole would be good. Where do you get the felt washers?

They definitely won't protect from cracking, perhaps JB Welding a steel or poly washer might do that. The foam ones I've used are these:

https://www.amazon.com/Traxxas-4915-Foam-Body-Washers/dp/B0006O5O6K

 

[Ericehess]

They definitely won't protect from cracking, perhaps JB Welding a steel or poly washer might do that. The foam ones I've used are these:

https://www.amazon.com/Traxxas-4915-Foam-Body-Washers/dp/B0006O5O6K

Thanks..trying to make this as strong as possible..my son is a bit heavy on the throttle.

 

[CC1999]

I use flex seal on all the RC cars I use. Adds a lot of strength and flexibility to body.
I also use gorilla or Flex seal tape in high wear or rub areas to prevent the spinning tires from burning through the paint.
This approach has proven very worthwhile imo.

On a side note, and a big bonus IMO is how the Flex seal drastically reduces that annoying plasticky sounds a non coated body produces.
The flex seal really helps a lot in quietening down these hard plastic bodies.

I use black on black cars and white on white cars etc.

I did these 3 bodies today.

 

[RustyUs]

I use flex seal on all the RC cars I use. Adds a lot of strength and flexibility to body.
I also use gorilla or Flex seal tape in high wear or rub areas to prevent the spinning tires from burning through the paint.
This approach has proven very worthwhile imo.

On a side note, and a big bonus IMO is how the Flex seal drastically reduces that annoying plasticky sounds a non coated body produces.
The flex seal really helps a lot in quietening down these hard plastic bodies.

I use black on black cars and white on white cars etc.

I did these 3 bodies today.
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Most excellent choice. My new go-to body first layer of reinforcement... hopefully.

I am not totally sold on the Flex Seal spray just yet. My concern lies with different brands of Lexan paint reacting differently to Flex Seal spray. I don't know if people are not waiting for everything to dry completely or what, but some have said the Flex Seal spray ruined they paint jobs. I've only tested on Parma paints. So far, so good.

 

[majin]

i lay concrete tape down, then coat that in shoe goo. it makes them SO strong. how strong you may ask...
this strong

 

[RustyUs]

i lay concrete tape down, then coat that in shoe goo. it makes them SO strong. how strong you may ask...
this strong

Where can a person find this concrete tape you speak of?

 

[majin]

Where can a person find this concrete tape you speak of?

i got mine at a hardware store, they have it at lowes and the depot, heres a link its also called fiba tape
https://www.lowes.com/pd/2-in-x-150-ft-Mesh-Construction-Self-Adhesive-Cement-Board-Tape/1000551213

 

[RustyUs]

i got mine at a hardware store, they have it at lowes and the depot, heres a link its also called fiba tape
https://www.lowes.com/pd/2-in-x-150-ft-Mesh-Construction-Self-Adhesive-Cement-Board-Tape/1000551213

Ah, gotcha. Drywall cement board tape. I never heard the term "concrete tape" before.

 

[majin]

Ah, gotcha. Drywall cement board tape. I never heard the term "concrete tape" before.

my bad yeah we called it that cause we used it on concrete, i didnt even think about that i was using a pet name for it, just so used to callin it that lol

 

[WickedFog]

Ah, gotcha. Drywall cement board tape. I never heard the term "concrete tape" before.

https://a.co/d/a8q4j8o

 

[White_Crow_G]

but some have said

Hi Mate. if you meant me - i can say 100% that the crackle was caused by not 100% dried paint (i did w8 like 10 mins after all layers, but i was using air blower to dry it up)
As last weekend i did it to my wife's rig body (was painted couple of weeks ago) and the pain job stays untouched.
I find best way of reinforcing my bodies - i spray ot with liquid ruber first (idk 3-5 coats) stick some of magnets to hold the body clips on and fully covered with Gorilla tape.

 

[CC1999]

Most excellent choice. My new go-to body first layer of reinforcement... hopefully.

I am not totally sold on the Flex Seal spray just yet. My concern lies with different brands of Lexan paint reacting differently to Flex Seal spray. I don't know if people are not waiting for everything to dry completely or what, but some have said the Flex Seal spray ruined they paint jobs. I've only tested on Parma paints. So far, so good.

Interesting, I have used on bodies that I painted, factory painted bodies, custom painted bodies I have bought.
Like my general lee tribute body, I commissioned a painter on eBay to make several different themed bodies for me, this particular General Lee I body I had 3 of them made, and fixed one up for track use when I got it. It’s had flex seal under it along with reinforcement tape now for 8 years.
It’s never had any issues that I am aware of.

Now I am a bit curios if that area over the back tire where the slash body is always very prone to burning through, is some sort evidence to the issues you have heard about. I just had always chocked it up as wear and tear effects of a bashed on body’s typical wear and tear. ???