Trimming a body by scoring

[ohmygahitscoby]

Hey guys,

I was wondering if anybody can give me tips on trimming an RC body by doing the scoring technique. From what I've seen, you take an Exacto knife and lightly score against the body so you can bend and peal the excess lexan away. Is this true? What Exacto end should I use? How much pressure is needed?

Thanks!
-Coby

 

[NCNitro]

I only use the score and snap method for straight lines. I use a metal ruler, a fresh #11 in my small knife, or #2 in my big knife, score the body and snap the piece off. For the curves I still use curved lexan scissors and a sanding drum in my dremel tool to finish it up.

 

[ohmygahitscoby]

Ah okay. The curves were definitely something I didn't want to use the bend and snap method for anyways. Thanks for the info! Will definitely help me out on my next body.

 

[NCNitro]

No problem, glad to help.

 

[Rolex]

Absolute ditto on NC's technique.

 

[frickenjoey]

I do the same thing as NC....still can't paint for poop though. So I have a fresh 5b SS body just waiting for me to ruin!

 

[Rolex]

I don't know if you can PAINT poop, but according to Mythbusters you CAN polish it.

Always do your first paint job with one color. The next one gets a little more detail. Pretty soon you'll be as nuts for details and masking as the rest of us.....uh, maybe it's from the fumes.:whhooo:

 

[frickenjoey]

No, No.....once poop is dry it CAN be painted nearly any color if you primer it first. Enamel paint would probably give the best gloss finish.

 

[Rolex]

There's one in the flower garden, and I've been thinking of painting it dark brown. I'm going with Lacquer, just for the fumes.

 

[neobart]

I don't know if you can PAINT poop, but according to Mythbusters you CAN polish it.

LMAO I'm watching that very episode while reading this.

Polishing a turd hmm......... I bet you feel conflicted on that one Rolex.

 

[Lessen]

This is a very rare occasion when I disagree with NCNitro and Rolex. I use the score technique for the entire body, including wheel wells. Zero sanding and zero mess. As long as you score a smooth line you'll get terrific results and you won't have to go back and "finish" anything. Once you snap everything off, you're done. I recently cut out like 6 bodies and I used he score technique 100% through all of them, even the extremely tight confines of a 1/8 buggy nose. I also prefer a #16 blade

A couple examples...

GT2

Maxx Escalade

Vortex Lazer ZX5 wing

S3 buggy nose

 

[ohmygahitscoby]

Those curves look very smooth . I'll probably see what body I'll be doing before I pick which method I'll be doing. From what I've just read, it kinda seems like the scoring method may be more difficult and longer to do, but worth it. I'll try both methods on a spare body I have and see what comes out best. Also, how much pressure do you put on the blade when you score it?

I'll probably be doing a Rubicon body for the Savage.

 

[frickenjoey]

I had snapped the nose off a buggy using that method..lol..I guess it is all about how deep you score it....video it next time!

 

[NCNitro]

I had snapped the nose off a buggy using that method..lol..I guess it is all about how deep you score it....video it next time!

Yep, score it a liittle to far in to the body and you can easily have issues like that. One slip of the knife and not only can you ruin the body, especially on tight curves, you can also lose some skin too.

 

[Lessen]

From what I've just read, it kinda seems like the scoring method may be more difficult and longer to do, but worth it.

Difficult... I think that just depends on experience. The more times you cut a body completely with a blade the better you will get at it. One thing I don't agree with is that it takes any longer. I'd guess it takes approx the same amount of time as cut/dremel because although you are done once you snap everything, you have to make more cuts to the score line with the scissors. It's just a less messy process.

I'm not trying to put down Joe and Ralph's method at all. This is just what I do. I'm more comfortable with the blade than the scissors.

One slip of the knife and not only can you ruin the body, especially on tight curves, you can also lose some skin too.

Absolutely, you have to be very cautious and be paying 100% to what you are doing. Confidence goes a long way, however, that comes with time. I love the score/snap method and it's just the way I'm more comfortable with. I used to do the scissor/dremel thing but I ditched that as soon as I found out about score/snap. I can't say that I havn't had it slip in the past but I've learned how to control the blade over the last dozen and a half or so body's I've cut out.

 

[NCNitro]

I guess it all comes down to personal preference. Whichever method you choose, taking your time is the best thing you can do. Don't be in a rush. Do like you said, practice cutting up an old body using both methods, and do whichever you are more comfortable with. Also make sure you clean the body real good before you apply any paint at all.

 

[Rolex]

This is a very rare occasion when I disagree with NCNitro and Rolex.

Pssssst.....hey Joe. Are you gonna' whack him with the life time ban, or should I?

 

[neobart]

Just give him 2x life.

Hey Rolex shouldn't you be polishing some fecal matter by now. :

 

[NCNitro]

Pssssst.....hey Joe. Are you gonna' whack him with the life time ban, or should I?

Shoot, everyone already thinks I am a tyrant, so what the hell, I'll whack him with the ol banstick Bye Josh.

 

[Lessen]

Ouch!



wait... I'm still here... "Did I say that?.. or just think it?