Tamiya 54499 Protective Sticker (Hard)

[OoALEJOoO]

Folks, looking to understand and hear comments about this tape, Tamiya 54499 Protective Sticker (Hard):

Description from Tamiya's site:

This is a protective film designed to be used under the main chassis of your favorite R/C vehicle. It's highly adhesive and when stuck to the chassis it provides long-lasting protection against scratches by contacting track surface, and thanks to its transparency will not detract from the model’s appearance.

• Thickness: 0.3mm
• Contains 180x330mm sheets x2

https://www.tamiyausa.com/shop/decal-sticker-sets/rc-protective-sticker-hard/

Has anyone used it? I'm curious if it can be used reliably to repair banged-up bodies. Thanks for any info

[Willy iine]

Honestly if chassis protection is what you want on the bottom, I would get a roll if 3M automotive clea bra.. and just replace as often as you need.  You can double up if your driving condition is pretty bad.  If you get a roll of XPEL Ultimate, then it has self heeling feature.. just apply heat and most of the lighter scuffs will go away.

Anyway, GL with your decision!   

You can also use this stuff on the inside of your painted bodies for protecting paint on the inside from scuffs against battery holders and wires.  Actually clear packing tape also works if for just this purpose.

[BuggyGuy]

I've tried the Tamiya stuff and the Team Associated "Tough Sheet" - they work well but are very over priced for what they are.

I now use "Gorilla Tape Crystal Clear" which is much cheaper at around £1 per metre and it works well.

[sosidge]

Tamiya do a body repair tape - #53351 - it's good stuff. I've noticed they also have a clear version now - #54784 - but I've never used it.

Usually it goes on the inside but sometimes there isn't anything else to hold the body together...

[alvinlwh]

2 minutes ago, sosidge said:

Usually it goes on the inside but sometimes there isn't anything else to hold the body together...

Perhaps time to consider a new body? 

[RC Perspective]

1 hour ago, BuggyGuy said:

I've tried the Tamiya stuff and the Team Associated "Tough Sheet" - they work well but are very over priced for what they are.

I now use "Gorilla Tape Crystal Clear" which is much cheaper at around £1 per metre and it works well.

+1 on the Gorilla Tape. 

Works really well for the inside of the body.

-RC Perspective

[RC Perspective]

23 minutes ago, sosidge said:

Tamiya do a body repair tape - #53351 - it's good stuff. I've noticed they also have a clear version now - #54784 - but I've never used it.

Usually it goes on the inside but sometimes there isn't anything else to hold the body together...

Superglue and baking powder as a quick cure works well. As well as being sandable and paintable also.

-RC Perspective

[BuggyGuy]

3 minutes ago, RC Perspective said:

+1 on the Gorilla Tape. 

Works really well for the inside of the body.

-RC Perspective

I use it as a chassis protector but never though to use it for body shell repair for some reason! Thanks!

[RC Perspective]

6 minutes ago, BuggyGuy said:

I use it as a chassis protector but never though to use it for body shell repair for some reason! Thanks!

No problem bud.

A little heat goes a long way in helping it conform; just take care not to add too much heat or you may have issues with warping the body.

I use quick blasts of a torch lighter with a fast, sweeping motion to keep the heat manageable. Then you can use a cloth or sponge to make it conform to odd angles and impressions.

-RC Perspective

EDIT - I pre-emptively line the inside of my bodies with it.

[RC Perspective]

28 minutes ago, alvinlwh said:

Perhaps time to consider a new body? 

Or driving school?

(Just kidding)

-RC Perspective

[Tamiyabigstuff]

A 50m roll of 50mm wide Gaffer tape is about £2 from Lidl...works a treat.

[SupraChrgd82]

On past touring cars I would use Team Associated's chassis protector film. I assume it is an adhesive backed Teflon sheet.  It works quite well to prevent scratches on flat chassis pans and does not create much drag when scraping across pavement.

FT Chassis Protective Sheet, 6.5 x 18 in | Associated Electrics

For abused Lexan bodies Shoe Goo and drywall mesh tape applied to the inside of the body are the "industry standard". E6000 is a slightly softer/lesser alternative if Shoe Goo is unavailable.  It is wise to apply this to bodies prior to use if they are destined for a rough life.

 

[OoALEJOoO]

Thanks for the comments guys, useful info. Seems there are better alternatives than Tamiya's tape.

[Mad Ax]

19 hours ago, alvinlwh said:

Perhaps time to consider a new body? 

Sometimes you find a body that just works really well for you and your setup, or sometimes you're just determined to get to the end of a season without replacing it 

I've been adding tape to my HPI Civic body so for long that it's more tape than body now.  I finally decided I'd retire it after my last race in the Iconic Cup this year.  I picked it up after the last race, and the spoiler fell off.  It was like it knew.

(Two weeks ago it became part of the crush zone on my monster truck course)

[alvinlwh]

1 hour ago, Mad Ax said:

(Two weeks ago it became part of the crush zone on my monster truck course)

I believe a sound body actually provide some protection to the chassis. I once made the mistake of running a chassis (for tests) without a body and ended up with the front diff scattered all over the driveway. Never did that again. 

(for touring cars, buggies are different) 

[Raman36]

18 hours ago, SupraChrgd82 said:

On past touring cars I would use Team Associated's chassis protector film. I assume it is an adhesive backed Teflon sheet.  It works quite well to prevent scratches on flat chassis pans and does not create much drag when scraping across pavement.

FT Chassis Protective Sheet, 6.5 x 18 in | Associated Electrics

For abused Lexan bodies Shoe Goo and drywall mesh tape applied to the inside of the body are the "industry standard". E6000 is a slightly softer/lesser alternative if Shoe Goo is unavailable.  It is wise to apply this to bodies prior to use if they are destined for a rough life.

 

Drywall mesh and U6000 Is my go to reinforcement for new body and repair of damage body for year. Works very well.  
 

Not many know about U6000… it’s much better as ShoeGoo is way too thick and heavy. 
 

Gorilla clear tape is also a great option. I started to keep it in my box for repairing damage while at track. On new bodies I also apply it on front lower parts that have potential for nicking barriers and corners at the track. After they’re nicked up, I remove and put new one. It’s almost like a clear protective bra for Lexan bodies.