M06Guy 10 Posted April 26, 2020 I'm trying to paint my Eunos shell to match my real Miata. My Miata is painted "Starlight Mica". Mazda color code is A5. It's a dark blue metallic/dark purple metallic color. Example here: http://www.2040-cars.com/Mazda/MX-5-Miata/special-m-edition-mazda-miata-starlight-mica-edition-very-nice-condition-658842/ Questions: Anyone know a close match to this color for a polycarb shell? Perhaps a dark metallic blue backed by dark purple metallic would look good? Can polycarbonate colors be mixed with good results? Thanks for the help! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TurnipJF 9116 Posted April 26, 2020 I'm thinking PS-45 backed with PS-16 might do the trick? Probably a good idea to experiment on some scrap to see how many coats of PS-45 you need. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisRx718 4464 Posted April 26, 2020 PS-59 Dark Metallic Blue will be the easiest backed with black. You won't get those purple hues, but using transparent shades is certainly not straightforward. ps-16 is a lovely colour but very much brighter than the images of your Eunos. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Problemchild 2149 Posted April 26, 2020 Is there any reason he couldn’t get some made up for plastic? JJ 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M06Guy 10 Posted April 27, 2020 4 minutes ago, Problemchild said: Is there any reason he couldn’t get some made up for plastic? JJ Is that a thing? Also, what do you guys think about PS-59? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blista 1517 Posted April 27, 2020 I'd try a couple of coats of PS59 dark metallic blue then a single coat of PS45 translucent purple, followed by one more PS59 coat before backing it in black. Experimenting on plastic bottles is the way to go until you get the desired effect. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
topforcein 1764 Posted April 27, 2020 you could always try taking your paint code to a automotive paint suppliers and have them make a can up for you Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Problemchild 2149 Posted April 27, 2020 14 hours ago, M06Guy said: Is that a thing? Also, what do you guys think about PS-59? Yeah course I assume the Mazda has plastic bumpers so getting that colour made up (eBay) using your paint code for plastic could be perfect JJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sosidge 624 Posted April 27, 2020 Has anyone actually used full-scale automotive paint on a polycarbonate body? I have no idea if it would work. Most "pro" RC body painters are using water-based acrylics now. They should be easy to mix if you can't find the colour you want, although mixing is not a precise science! In the UK, the easiest brand to get right now seems to be Hobbynox, but I've got a hunch that most of the paints are made by Createx. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Problemchild 2149 Posted April 27, 2020 I’ve used normal car paint on the lunchbox (my first build) I just went to Halfords and picked a yellow I liked - sprayed on fine and still fine 15years later JJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sosidge 624 Posted April 27, 2020 15 minutes ago, Problemchild said: I’ve used normal car paint on the lunchbox (my first build) I just went to Halfords and picked a yellow I liked - sprayed on fine and still fine 15years later JJ But a Lunchbox is a hard body (probably styrene of some sort) that you paint on the outside. The MX5 shell is a polycarbonate one that you paint from the inside. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Problemchild 2149 Posted April 27, 2020 Yeah - get that From what I’ve read use bulldog adhesion promoter first to be totally sure at least you will have an exact match worth a try JJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M06Guy 10 Posted April 27, 2020 2 hours ago, Problemchild said: Yeah course I assume the Mazda has plastic bumpers so getting that colour made up (eBay) using your paint code for plastic could be perfect JJ Funny, I never even thought of that when I got custom mixed touch-up paint for my car, nor did they ask me. I'm pretty sure polycarbonate paint is more specialized than just plastic paint. Otherwise any model paint would work. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M06Guy 10 Posted April 27, 2020 1 hour ago, Problemchild said: Yeah - get that From what I’ve read use bulldog adhesion promoter first to be totally sure at least you will have an exact match worth a try JJ Sorry, I haven't painted a lexan car body since my original Frog in 1983. Can regular automotive paint really be used on Lexan as long as you lay down adhesion promoter first?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M06Guy 10 Posted April 27, 2020 4 hours ago, topforcein said: you could always try taking your paint code to a automotive paint suppliers and have them make a can up for you They can mix paint that'll hang on Lexan? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TurnipJF 9116 Posted April 27, 2020 With the right preparation, adequate adhesion between polycarbonate and regular paint can be achieved, and for a shelf display model or an offroader where wear is part of the "look", this is not a bad shout. However if the model is to be a good-looking runner, polycarbonate paint is still a better solution. Even if the adhesion promoter stops the regular paint from flaking off, it still tends to crack when the body flexes, and since you generally paint such products on the outside of the shell, it is very easy to damage in even a minor collision. Polycarbonate paint applied inside the shell avoids both of these issues. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Problemchild 2149 Posted April 27, 2020 I’ve read on other RC sites that bulldog and car paint will outlast the lexan given the relative market size of the RC market, do we really think that paint manufacturing companies have developed a special paint? or just using a rebranded one? JJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M06Guy 10 Posted April 27, 2020 2 hours ago, Problemchild said: I’ve read on other RC sites that bulldog and car paint will outlast the lexan given the relative market size of the RC market, do we really think that paint manufacturing companies have developed a special paint? or just using a rebranded one? JJ I forgot that I have some touch-up spray left. I'll give it a whirl on a soda bottle with some of that bulldog stuff. Any advice for prep? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Problemchild 2149 Posted April 27, 2020 Same as you would anyway soapy water, scotch bright, bulldog, paint JJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
topforcein 1764 Posted April 28, 2020 21 hours ago, M06Guy said: They can mix paint that'll hang on Lexan? yes i only use paint from automotive suppliers as i have had that much trouble with tamiya paint i painted a shell with mixed paint the pic below shows 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Problemchild 2149 Posted April 28, 2020 12 minutes ago, topforcein said: yes i only use paint from automotive suppliers as i have had that much trouble with tamiya paint i painted a shell with mixed paint the pic below shows Yummy!!! JJ 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M06Guy 10 Posted April 28, 2020 5 hours ago, topforcein said: yes i only use paint from automotive suppliers as i have had that much trouble with tamiya paint i painted a shell with mixed paint the pic below shows Looks great! Looks like the "Mystic" paint option that Ford offered on Mustangs: Can you tell me what your process is for painting with auto paint? Thanks! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
topforcein 1764 Posted April 29, 2020 this is the place where i got it from and that is the colour passion purple https://www.specialistpaints.com/collections/kustom-canz-custom-aerosol-cans/products/passion-canz?variant=14245017223 for that paint spray the colour coat on first then back it with black if it was for a hard body then prob a primmer then black first then the colour coat and finish with clear coat. i think for the colour you want it would be either a black or silver backing or the blue then a bright met silver and finish with the black but where ever you get the can from ask for advice.the link i put up above they are great and i told them what i wanted to paint and they helped a great deal. i have painted a truck shell in dark blue a bit like the colour you want and i just put down primer first then the black the blue and finish with 2 k clear. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites