Backer paint

[burakol]

Wondering if anyone here has successfully used a regular spray paint to back their shell after applying a proper polycarbonate paint layer. I ask because some local here said he has been doing it for years and got good results… Now, I have used plastidip before as a backer, but the cost has significantly increased so I am looking for other cost-effective option for a backing paint… 

[IXLR8]

I've been using cheap rattle can paint from Walmart or a local hardware store to back poly paint on my lexan shells.  So, yeah, no issues whatsoever.  Also, Tamiya flat clear PS 55 makes a great primer over which you can apply just about any type of paint.  I've been using it with Duplicolor lacquer automotive paint when I'm unable to achieve the desired color from any of the available poly paints.

[burakol]

So PS55 to act like a primer? Interesting. How much of it do you spray over? Does it dull the color if you are spraying it before the actual paint? 

[IXLR8]

46 minutes ago, burakol said:

So PS55 to act like a primer? Interesting. How much of it do you spray over? Does it dull the color if you are spraying it before the actual paint? 

I just spray a couple light coats then proceed with color coats.  One tin will easily do two or three projects.  It doesn't affect the color in any way.

When a project requires a basic color like black or white I will follow a similar method and use poly paint as a primer coat for cheaper Walmart black or white.

Here's a recent example:

This is Tamiya poly white followed by Walmart white followed by some cheap silver paint I had followed by black primer.  The silver improves opacity and provides a color barrier for the black.  If the project requires a dark color, sometimes I'll skip the silver and spray black directly over the base color.

[burakol]

Do you run your cars? I will be painting a drifter body and for sure, it will be hitting wall and other objects on the track… have you tested its durability by any chance?

[IXLR8]

3 hours ago, burakol said:

Do you run your cars? I will be painting a drifter body and for sure, it will be hitting wall and other objects on the track… have you tested its durability by any chance?

Absolutely!    Both on-road and off-road.  Also, with the Giulia example above, my post-less body mounting system depends upon parts being servo-taped to the underside of the body.  Some of my off-road buggies use velcro to secure the body.  Either way, paint adhesion hasn't been a problem.  Walmart paint adheres to poly paint as well as any other surface.

[alvinlwh]

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[Mr. Radar]

17 hours ago, IXLR8 said:

I just spray a couple light coats then proceed with color coats.  One tin will easily do two or three projects.  It doesn't affect the color in any way.

When a project requires a basic color like black or white I will follow a similar method and use poly paint as a primer coat for cheaper Walmart black or white.

Here's a recent example:

This is Tamiya poly white followed by Walmart white followed by some cheap silver paint I had followed by black primer.  The silver improves opacity and provides a color barrier for the black.  If the project requires a dark color, sometimes I'll skip the silver and spray black directly over the base color.

Interesting, have you ever used clearcoat to "seal" masked areas to prevent color bleed? I suppose this could help with getting sharper lines.

[IXLR8]

4 hours ago, Mr. Radar said:

Interesting, have you ever used clearcoat to "seal" masked areas to prevent color bleed? I suppose this could help with getting sharper lines.

I've only ever read that clear can be used as masking sealer and that was in regard to painting the exterior of hard plastic body shells.  I've always taken extra care applying masking tape and have pretty good luck avoiding paint bleed so I've not yet tried this method.  Fortunately, the Giulia is a single color paint project with only the windows requiring masks.  The red and green stripes are from the provided decal sheet.

Several years back, I built this '91 Stealth replica and painted its body shell.  Although far from perfect, the stripe edges are pretty clean.

But I'm afraid I am getting a bit off topic.  Sorry about that.    The question was about backer paint.

[Mr. Radar]

Nevermind, it's a nice buggy
So, I need to try this method at some point.

[burakol]

Thanks. I figured if a rustoleum spray paint can be used as a backer, it will surely save me some amount… 

[markbt73]

I've used both Rustoleum For Plastic and Krylon Fusion on polycarbonate before without issue, directly onto the body. Should be just fine for a backing coat.