Best RC Body Paint [Excellent adhesion, realistic colors]

Last Updated on February 9, 2024 by Jaxon Mike

Painting your RC car body is one of the most fun and rewarding parts of the RC hobby. With so many amazing paints to choose from, you can create a completely custom look for your car that reflects your style. The right paint will hold up to the rigors of RC racing while giving your car a bold, vibrant appearance. In this article, we’ll look at what RC body paint is, why you should paint your body, how to prepare for painting, and some of the best RC body paint choices on the market. Let’s get started!

 Quick comparison table of RC body paint

Paint Brand	Paint Type	Pros	Price	Colors Available	Finishes Available	Price Range
Tamiya	Polycarbonate spray	Excellent adhesion, realistic colors, trusted brand name	Check Price	40+ colors including fluorescent, metallic, candy coats	Matte, Gloss	$8-$20 per can
Createx	Airbrush colors	Vibrant candy & fluorescent colors, versatile for airbrushing, durable	Check Price	Hundreds of colors including pearls, candies, transparents	Matte, Gloss, Metallic, Transparent	$3-$8 per ounce
Proline	Airbrush colors	Made for polycarbonate, range of colors, hard scratch resistant finish	Check Price	Around 50 colors, some neon and pearl	Matte, Gloss	$3-$12 per ounce
Team Associated	Polycarbonate spray	Made for Lexan, bold opaque colors, easy to use spray can	Check Price	14 colors	Matte, Gloss	$7-$15 per can

What is RC Body Paint?

RC body paint is specially formulated to adhere to polycarbonate Lexan bodies. Unlike regular spray paints and acrylics, RC body paint is designed to flex and stretch with the body as it undergoes impacts without cracking or peeling. RC paint is also optimized to resist fuel and exhaust residue.

Polycarbonate plastic bodies offer realistic crashes and collisions without damage, but the tradeoff is that they are naturally clear. Body paint lets you add color while protecting the integrity of the body. Most RC body paints fall into two main categories:

Polycarbonate Spray Paints – Offer quick, easy application right from the can. Poly spray paint adheres strongly and offers great coverage.

Airbrush Paints – Highly pigmented paints made for airbrushing. Require an airbrush but offer stunning candy colors and custom paint jobs.

Now that you know what RC body paint is, let’s look at why you should paint your body and the key factors in choosing the right paint.

Why Paint RC Bodies?

There are several great reasons to paint your RC body:

• Customization – Painting lets you pick exactly the look you want. Match your favorite pro driver or team colors and designs.
• Light Blocking – The clear body allows light through which can negatively impact electronic components. Opaque paint blocks light.
• Realism – A vivid paint scheme looks far more realistic than a clear body on the track. Paint completes the scale look.
• Scratch Protection – Paint forms a protective barrier layer over the body, guarding it from scratches.
• Branding – Add logos, names, and numbers to display your own branding.

Painting your body is about both aesthetics and function. The right paint protects the Lexan and electronics while letting your creativity shine through.

Choosing the Right RC Body Paint

With so many RC paint options available, it can be tricky to select the right product. Here are the key factors to consider when shopping for your next RC paint job:

Type of Paint

The two main paint types, polycarbonate spray paint and airbrush paint, each have pros and cons:

• Polycarbonate Spray Paint – Very easy to apply, good durability, fast drying times. Limited color selection.
• Airbrush Paint – Exceptional color depth and candy colors. Requires an airbrush and practice. Longer application time.

Color Options

Do you want basic primary colors or exotic candy and fluorescent hues? Spray paints offer fewer standard colors while airbrush paints provide tons of vibrant mixes.

Finish Options

Paints come in gloss, matte, metallic, fluorescent, pearl, chrome, transparent, candy, and more. Pick the finish that best matches your vision.

Durability

Check reviews and ratings for durability. Racing bodies need ultra-tough paint that resists scratches, fuel, and wear from crashes and jumps.

Now that you know what to look for in RC body paint, let’s look at prepping the body.

Preparing the RC Body for Painting

Achieving a professional painted finish requires careful preparation:

Cleaning and Sanding

Use soap and water to clean the body then lightly sand it to help the paint adhere. Wipe it down after sanding to remove any dust.

Applying Primer

1-2 coats of polycarbonate primer fill in scratches and provide a uniform surface for painting. Allow primer to fully cure before painting.

Masking

Use masking tape to cover areas you don’t want painted like the windows. Liquid masking solutions can create sharper paint lines.

With the body prepped and masked, you’re ready to spray or airbrush on your color coats. Allow sufficient drying time between coats. Now let’s look at some of the best RC body paints available.

Best RC Body Paints

Here are some top-rated polycarbonate and airbrush paint options for RC bodies:

1. Tamiya Polycarbonate Spray Paints

The gold standard in RC spray paints. Excellent adhesion and realistic colors. Large color selection including fluorescent and metallic.

• Pros: Excellent adhesion, realistic colors, large color selection, trusted brand
• Cons: Can be expensive, limited finish options

2. Createx Airbrush Colors

Vibrant, eye-catching candy and fluorescent colors. Highly versatile for airbrushing. Excellent durability.

• Pros: Vibrant candy & fluorescent colors, highly versatile, great durability
• Cons: Require airbrush skills, colors can be translucent

3. Proline Pro-Art Airbrush Colors

Formulated for RC polycarbonate bodies. Wide range of colors. Dries to a hard, scratch resistant finish.

• Pros: Formulated for polycarbonate, wide range of colors, hard scratch resistant finish
• Cons: Require airbrushing equipment, less color options than some brands

4. Team Associated Polycarbonate Spray Paints

Polycarbonate-specific spray paint won’t react with Lexan bodies. Bold, opaque colors.

This covers the basics of RC body painting. Next, we’ll wrap up with some final tips in our conclusion.

• Pros: Made for Lexan bodies, bold opaque colors, easy spray can use
• Cons: Smaller color selection, not as durable as some paints

FAQs

What are some tips for getting smooth spray paint results?

Always spray in light, even coats rather than trying to get full coverage in one pass. Keep the can 10-12 inches from the body. Go over the body in sweeps, overlapping slightly. Let each coat fully dry between applications.

How many coats of paint do I need?

2-3 medium coats are usually ideal for good coverage. Apply very light “dust” coats for the first 1-2 passes to get an even base layer down before slightly heavier coats.

What’s the best way to paint hard-to-reach areas?

Use masking tape and poster board to cover surrounding areas. Attach the body to a paint stand or bodied R/C car. Rotate the car to access tricky spots from all angles. Use thin strips of masking tape to cover edges.

Can I mix paint brands?

It’s best to stick with one brand for each paint job. The chemicals in each formulation are tailored to work together. Mixing brands can cause bubbling, poor adhesion, etc.

How long does RC body paint need to cure?

Check the individual paint for recommended cure times. Most RC paints only require 1-2 hours drying time between coats and 24 hours for a full cure. The paint will continue to harden over the next 1-2 weeks.

Conclusion

Custom painting your RC body is the perfect way to make your car stand out. With the right polycarbonate paint and thorough preparation, you can achieve stunning, professional-looking results. Consider your color palette, required durability, and painting method when selecting the best RC paint for your next body. Take the time to properly clean, prime, and mask the body before painting. Take your time and enjoy the process – a unique paint job is one of the most satisfying RC projects. Your personalized paint will not only look fantastic, but will protect your body from scratches, wear and sun damage. Get creative with your next RC paint scheme!