Metallic Knight Hauler

[mac the mole]

Hi guys have just joined and have just come back to rc after many years. have just ordered a Metallic Knight Hauler from Stella models and I'm wanting to paint over the metallic cab with Tamiyas clear red (TS74), any ideas of how to go about it, I' ve heard that spraying over chrome can result in a super deep finish, or am I barking up the wrong tree? any hints, ideas, help etc.. cheers

[ryanbored]

personally i wouldn't.. but that's cos i'm a pleb when it comes to painting.

I always thought paint needed a decent 'grip' or key into the surface so i would be worried that (assuming it took to the surface ok) how long it would stay on there. Bear in mind if it did go wrong, the traditional methods of removing paint would then damage the chrome.

Stick with what you've got matey

[Tamiyabigstuff]

If it was my own kit and I wanted to get a clear red / chrome look I would have bought the standard kit rather than the one with the chrome finished body.

Spray a standard white plastic body with 'chrome effect' paint - you can get this from most car accessory shops like Halfords and then spray the clearcoat red over it.

I've used this chrome effect paint on car headlights where the solvering on the reflector was dull and flaking off - worked a treat and passed the MOT OK.

I would think the Tamiya factory finish chrome could either react badly with the clearcoat or not have enough of a key to take it without getting some nasty runs or other undesireable result.

[SubaruBrattJunkie]

I had the same thought on my WWII. The chrome has some sort of coating on it already and it did not like the clear type of paint that I used on it, in hindsight I would have used Spaz Stix clear color on it instead, the hard anodizing type. I ended up priming and spraying the metallic red I used and clear coating over it, all Pactra products. I built the Jeep for the fabulous driver doll that the Toymaker created and it was red to match the theme. As was mentioned, the Spaz Stix chrome under the clear might work, but it was really designed to be used on the inside of the body and I had no luck using it on the bumpers of my Alpine. There are some other chrome paints that actually look like chrome, but I have not seen one for exterior work, most are made for lexan. I have seen flames and the like painted on the chrome Blitzer, but again, the chrome did nothing for the paint over it. It seems a natural for a clear type of blue or red over the chrome, but as I went looking through all of the Haulers on the site, I didn't see any that really were getting the desired effect, let us know if you do find one that works, I have tried it on wheels as well and with pretty much the same problem, but not with the hard anodizing paint, may be worth another go.

[Gomjaba]

Hiya,

I am just curious, why would you buy the metallic one if you intend to paint it over anyway ?

The body itself is still plastic - wouldn't it be cheaper just to buy the "normal" KH ?

[ryanbored]

Dunno if It's the same sort of 'chrome' but i have an M03r kit and it all started to come off anyway. Bit dissapointing really. Not that it matters as it's for racing and not the shelf

[Shodog]

I have to disagree with everyone who has replied so far. Painting over the chrome is going to look hot. I painted over the centers of my aluminum wheels and they look killer.

I have tried it on the leftover chrome parts and it looks sweet with a deep glow.

The key though is getting an even coat so spray very thin coats of paint and try not to respray over parts you already have done during that coat.

[ryanbored]

Those wheels do look sweeeeeeeeet!

[SubaruBrattJunkie]

As to why, it was to get the chrome underneath to enhance the depth of reflection of the color. It will work with a transparent type of paint but did not with the metallic type. The other factor as mentioned is the paint does not stick all that well to the chrome and will peel off, on wheels, which have a lot less surface area, it looks as it should, over the surface of the body, it was very difficult to get even. The wheels will not wear all that well either I am afraid, even properly painted and primed ones tend to scratch easily. For looks it doesn't matter. A lot of the way it will turn out depends entirely on the paint, the anodized colors will work better than most of the others. I did all of the aluminum on a Frog with gold and it looks super, it will however be a shelf queen due to the fragility of the paint. It has been clear coated over but I am still afraid that it is too prone to scratching to run, that is just from reassembling the car. The wheels are gold chrome so they would be a durable as gold wheels always are, show every nick. Nice wheels dog.

[mongoose1983]

I have to disagree with everyone who has replied so far. Painting over the chrome is going to look hot. I painted over the centers of my aluminum wheels and they look killer.

I have tried it on the leftover chrome parts and it looks sweet with a deep glow.

The key though is getting an even coat so spray very thin coats of paint and try not to respray over parts you already have done during that coat.

Haven't thought about doing this before. Those wheels look fantastic, Jim!

[Shodog]

Haven't thought about doing this before. Those wheels look fantastic, Jim!

Thanks, I love the look of them also. Many times I have wanted to paint my Chrome Pumpkin shell with a translucent paint. Right now there is a thick layer of dust on it that needs to be cleaned. If I don't do it carefully it could scratch and if that happens I'm going to try an paint it.

[mongoose1983]

Thanks, I love the look of them also. Many times I have wanted to paint my Chrome Pumpkin shell with a translucent paint. Right now there is a thick layer of dust on it that needs to be cleaned. If I don't do it carefully it could scratch and if that happens I'm going to try an paint it.

If you go ahead with that idea, well, don't forget to share a picture of that, Jim!