Painting plastic bodies - H2 by Newbright

[sgtsteve]

I wanted to share a little project I was asked to do by Locked UP RC. One of the most detailed and durable bodies I have found, and use, is the H2 by NewBright. Fortunately, you can easily find them at LockedUPRC.com under the Bodies section. The problem though, is they only come in Yellow and Black. For me personally, that was fine because I really liked the yellow. However, not everyone does, nor do they like the black. This brings me to this project. With my limited skill in painting, I wanted to take one of these and do a full on complete rattle can re-paint.
My choice in paint this time will be Rust-oleum Painters Touch - Ultra Cover - Gloss Apple Red. I chose this paint because it sticks to everything including plastic. Once I have the paint laid down and wet sanded, I plan to cover it with a few coats of Rust-oleum Painters Touch - Ultra Cover - Gloss Clear.

So here we go, starting with a completely stock H2 body.





Here it is with all the bits and pieces removed. The larger pieces like bumpers, roof rails and sliders are attached with screws. The turn signals and other small parts have a plastic extrusion that goes through the body and is melted on the interior side to keep them in place. Simply removed the extra melted section and the piece will come right off. When its time to put it back into place, you can use CA glue, shoo-goo or even melt the little bit that still sticks through to keep it in place.






Thats as far as I think Im going to go for now. In a few days I should have it sanded and primered and will post up the progress along with the steps I took to get there. Thank you

[Locked Up]

Subscribed!

[Hoosierdady]

The color sounds nice. Subbed

[1r3land]

Looks like your doing it right!! Anxious to see the finished product!!!
Good luck!!

[STANG KILLA SS]

nice steve! cant wait to see it!
a candy apple red H2 has GOT to be sittin on 22's son! mall ballin!

also looking forward to hearing your reports on that paint. let us know.

[sgtsteve]

I think the paint is going to look great on there. I just used it on some styrene for a tool chest I made and it seems like a solid, deep red.

[rangercat23]

I have one of those same bodies from Patrick, I just might have to paint it for some more inspiration.
How much of a PITA was removing the little bits?

[sgtsteve]

Originally Posted by rangercat23

I have one of those same bodies from Patrick, I just might have to paint it for some more inspiration.
How much of a PITA was removing the little bits?

Not that bad really. You just have to trim the little extra melted plastic bits from the back side of the piece (interior of vehicle) and they pretty much pop out. A few them needed a little encouragement so I used the end of a hex driver.

[sgtsteve]

Here it is after sanding, 2 coats of primer and a little more sanding. For the first round of sanding I used 200 grit dry. The second round was 500 grit then sprayed with two light coats of primer. That was followed by 500 grit wet sanding. Then one more coat of primer followed by 1000 grit wet sanding. I also took the opportunity and sprayed the interior a satin black. Something tells me that the black interior is going to set the red off very well.

I did get a little over spray with the black on the exterior but honestly Im not worried about it. I plan on about 3 coats of red which should be plenty.





With the tape off and ready for red.





Now to give it 48 hours to cure, then if needed another round of wet sanding. I dont think it will be necessary but time will tell. I should have the first coat of red on it Saturday morning but will have to wait till probably Sunday for pics as Im going out of town for the day

[STANG KILLA SS]

painting the inside black is a detail most people over look, but is HUGE when it comes to realistic looks.
looking forward to your report on that rustoleum paint compared to Dupli-color.

[sgtsteve]

Originally Posted by STANG KILLA SS

painting the inside black is a detail most people over look, but is HUGE when it comes to realistic looks.
looking forward to your report on that rustoleum paint compared to Dupli-color.

I agree on the interior. As far as dupli-color, I have never used it. This is only the 3rd hard body I have painted, well 10 if you count all the times I repainted the JK Each time I used the made for plastic Krylon stuff but there isn't a lot of color to choose from.

[sgtsteve]

I was able to get the body painted last weekend and clear coated. I started with two light coats, wet sanding with 500 grit, then laying down another coat followed a light wet sanding of 1000 grit. Then I put down a couple coats of Rustoleom High Gloss Clear and let it sit for a couple days. This afternoon I put all the bits and pieces back on and here it is

After three coats of red and a little bit of wet sanding





Clear coated and all back together







As you can see the H2 takes color very well. On the paint, overall I think it is really good. The depth of the color is great and it really does stick to plastic well. I think the only downside to it is that it does go on pretty thick, which makes it difficult to get that mirror like finish. I think that with slightly lighter coats and more time wet sanding a mirror finish is possible. Now that its all finished and looking good, I need to get the clear glass from my yellow H2 in it, then mount it, and run it Im curious to see how the paint holds up

[STANG KILLA SS]

nice paint steve!
have you thought about dechroming that grill / sanding it and painted black?
or even painted body color red?

[sgtsteve]

I hadn't given it much thought. Depends on whether Patrick wants this body back or not. If not, I can certainly see myself going to town on it

[STANG KILLA SS]

i just sent a letter to my congressperson saying i vote you get to keep it.

[Locked Up]

Steve....

It's yours to keep.
However ... I may one day ask you you paint one for me to keep...

Whatcha think?

[sgtsteve]

Originally Posted by STANG KILLA SS

i just sent a letter to my congressperson saying i vote you get to keep it.

It worked!

Originally Posted by Locked Up

Steve....

It's yours to keep.
However ... I may one day ask you you paint one for me to keep...

Whatcha think?

Thank you Patrick Now to try and get it ready for TSF show and tell

Send it on down, or bring it with you next time we meet up.

[sgtsteve]

Cory, Im am in the process of stripping all the chrome from the truck now. Im going to try and replicate the one in your pic, in more ways than one

Originally Posted by STANG KILLA SS

nice paint steve!
have you thought about dechroming that grill / sanding it and painted black?
or even painted body color red?

[STANG KILLA SS]

sweet! purple power will melt the chrome right off, leaving smooth untouched/undamaged plastic behind. no sanding (or labor ) needed.
looking forward to what you come up with.

[sgtsteve]

Thanks Cory!