painting question for Polycarb shells

[Baddon]

I am pretty sure I have read about clear top coating a shell after adding the decals as it will stop the decals peeling.

Its for mostly shelf queen bodies.

What is best to use? 

 

while glossy looks really smart i don't want it to blingy. Most of the shells will be brand new just finished.

Also how many coats for the decals to be stable? 

 

Thanks in advance.

[topforcein]

well if its for pollycarb shells then you dont need to clear coat the decals as it will ruin the already gloss finish of the shell.

but if its for the hard body shells and you dont want a gloss shine then go for a satin clear coat. i have only done this to one of my hard body shells and that is my rough rider but the down side is the decals end up looking raised when clear coated even as i did put on a fair few coats.

[Juggular]

I just googled "Tamiya Clear Polycarbonate spray."  It resulted in Flat clear only.  

That got me thinking, 'why isn't there...?'  My guess is that gloss is gloss because the surface has no break -- particles are bound and cured together tightly.  Thus, not flexible.  All the polycarbonate paint seem to be flat because particles are connected loosely to make them flexible.  

If that's true (I've been wrong many times...so don't hold your breath), there might not be polycarbonate clear.  

 

 

[WillyChang]

Clear lacquers also yellow with age. 

[Baddon]

Thanks once again for the info. 

Seems to be that they will just have to do without a top coat. Easier for me. Lets hope the MCI decals are as good at lasting as the Tamiya ones. As the bodies will not be flexing or getting bashed they should not get the chance to start lifting that my 30 year old originals have.

[ThunderDragonCy]

MCI have a reverse decal option so you can stick then to the clear shell from the inside prior to painting. 

[Baddon]

19 minutes ago, ThunderDragonCy said:

MCI have a reverse decal option so you can stick then to the clear shell from the inside prior to painting. 

I have all the decals already and the decals are hard enough to put on without trying to fit to the inside of some of the bodies. Nice logic thought.

 

[ThunderDragonCy]

Just now, Baddon said:

I have all the decals already and the decals are hard enough to put on without trying to fit to the inside of some of the bodies. Nice logic thought.

 

I got some for my Dragon TBG body. Chickened out and got regular decals for exactly this reason! 

[jonboy1]

On 12/2/2018 at 9:26 AM, Baddon said:

Thanks once again for the info. 

Seems to be that they will just have to do without a top coat. Easier for me. Lets hope the MCI decals are as good at lasting as the Tamiya ones. As the bodies will not be flexing or getting bashed they should not get the chance to start lifting that my 30 year old originals have.

I used the MCI ones on my Winger and although they aren't quite as thick as Tamiya they are very good quality and lay down quite nicely:

 

[jonboy1]

while I think of it - one thing I made a bit of a mistake on was, when cutting out the body, in that top picture, just after the "hyper cam engineering" decal under the screen at the end of the silver section, you can just see a bit of plastic missing under the yellow stripe. (phew) 

Don't cut this out.

It's not very clear (in my mind at least) on the instructions whether this needs to be cut out or not. I assumed (silly Jon) that it was to clear the blue anti roll bar arms - but it isn't - it looks to just be a molded feature. 

Just wanted to make sure you didn't do the same. 

[Baddon]

@jonboy1 Mine is cut out and as i am so fearful of getting it wrong I check and double check. If in doubt check instructions, check on line photos etc. 

I downloaded the instructions for all the bodies before I started to cut anything.

Thanks for the heads up though.

[jonboy1]

no probs mate, glad you didn't make the same mistake I did. Really looking forward to seeing it finished 

[Baddon]

@jonboy1 - Patience....I want to get all the shells ready first then will set up the spray booth and paint them all at once over the Christmas break.

I am part way through trimming the FireDragon shell, then I still have to do

Thundershot

Boomerang

BigWig

[Baddon]

On 12/4/2018 at 8:11 AM, jonboy1 said:

no probs mate, glad you didn't make the same mistake I did. Really looking forward to seeing it finished 

here you go

 

and some of the others I was working on as well.

 

[78Triumph]

Always been really happy with all the MCI decals I've ordered.  Good quality and so far they've held up just as much as OEM Tamiya decals. 

[jonboy1]

All look amazing - great job. Love the colour you've got on the Vanquish 

[Baddon]

10 hours ago, jonboy1 said:

All look amazing - great job. Love the colour you've got on the Vanquish 

lol, I have a new shell ordered and already have graphics as I intent to do it box art......OR will I.

[jonboy1]

Or will you.....??!! 

 

[Baddon]

On 1/16/2019 at 8:13 AM, jonboy1 said:

Or will you.....??!! 

 

lol, 

 

Thinking yes as I already have the blue non box art one.