Painting lexan bodies on the outside!!!!

[Dangerbus]

Hi,

 I am restoring a porsche 959 and the chassis is pretty much complete however the only body I have is a pretty battered one.

My question is can I repair the lexan body on the inside (how?) and then paint the body on the outside? This may sound odd but this will enable me to rebuild the body and reinforce the body on the inside.

I guess I can use lexan paint on the outside but how do I get a gloss finish, can you get clear lexan lacquer? 

Any advise much appreciated?

DB

[necronomicon]

You sure can. The green BMW in my  show room was an example of a 'rescue' shell which was a write- off really when i first got it- its painted on outside with acrylic car paint.

Obviously it wont be as crash proof as painting a new shell from the inside. I use acrylic real car paint. you can get plastic primer paint which prepares the surface first for a coat of acrylic or polycarb paint, and finish with a couple light coats of gloss acrylic laquer. Make sure shell has been thoroughly washed and keyed with a light sanding/ wire wool/ brillo pad. Several light coats better than one thick coat!

Repairs could be done with fibreglass body repair paste onto a well sanded inside shell. Small repairs with 2 part epoxy resin are also an alternative. Suppose it depends if you are going for a shelf queen or a runner. Of course the more fibreglass matting/ filer you use, the heavier the shell will be!!

hope that helped

Neil

[necronomicon]

P.S. Humbrol do a clear varnish spray which is listed as being for plastic and polycarbonate, but in my experience the cheap large cans of acrylic laquer for real cars is just the ticket!

[Dangerbus]

Thanks for the reply, some great info there, as for the finish I'm not after a shelfqueen but I do want a respectable looking car.

 I will give it a go and see what happens.

Thanks again

DB