Chameleon paint?

[Frank211]

Is there a way to paint a chameleon paint job on a lexan body?

[TheLetterJ]

Tamiya PS46 and PS47. They had another one, but I think it's NLA (Tamiya 89912)

[JatoTheRipper]

Tamiya is the only one I know of. They discontinued the best version IMO though.

I'm not sure if SpazStix ever had something like that, but their paint sucks in my experience so I'd avoid it anyway. It just doesn't stick.

[QuesoDelDiablo]

have you considered doing a vinyl wrap instead of paint? I've pretty much quit painting (because I hate painting) and most of my bodies get wrapped instead..

It's easier than you think and you can buy the vinyl cheap on Ebay. Lots of options for chameleon finishes in vinyl...

[Frank211]

Originally Posted by TheLetterJ

Tamiya PS46 and PS47. They had another one, but I think it's NLA (Tamiya 89912)

Check those colors out, not really the colors i was looking for, not unless i can back them up to make the colors i want. I wouldn't know until i buy them and try it out.

[Frank211]

Originally Posted by JatoTheRipper

Tamiya is the only one I know of. They discontinued the best version IMO though.

I'm not sure if SpazStix ever had something like that, but their paint sucks in my experience so I'd avoid it anyway. It just doesn't stick.

Yeah i was hoping i can find the colors i wanted, but a no go for me.

[Frank211]

Originally Posted by QuesoDelDiablo

have you considered doing a vinyl wrap instead of paint? I've pretty much quit painting (because I hate painting) and most of my bodies get wrapped instead..

It's easier than you think and you can buy the vinyl cheap on Ebay. Lots of options for chameleon finishes in vinyl...

Never considered wraps, do i just search vinyl rc body wraps?

[JatoTheRipper]

Originally Posted by Frank211

Yeah i was hoping i can find the colors i wanted, but a no go for me.

SpazStix does have a decent selection. That is if you can still find it for sale. They seem to be hit and miss.

https://www.hobbyrecreationproducts....changing-paint

https://www.amazon.com/Color-Change-.../dp/B0015H1FG0

https://www.amainhobbies.com/spaz-stix-paint/b-ckk-164

https://www.rpphobby.com/SearchResul...color+changing

[Frank211]

Originally Posted by JatoTheRipper

SpazStix does have a decent selection. That is if you can still find it for sale. They seem to be hit and miss.

https://www.hobbyrecreationproducts....changing-paint

https://www.amazon.com/Color-Change-.../dp/B0015H1FG0

https://www.amainhobbies.com/spaz-stix-paint/b-ckk-164

https://www.rpphobby.com/SearchResul...color+changing

Way cool jato, thanks for this, appreciate it.

[durok]

Originally Posted by Frank211

Never considered wraps, do i just search vinyl rc body wraps?

This place has been doing R/C wraps for a while:

https://www.freqeskinz.com/

No chameleon effect skins, but plenty of others...

[QuesoDelDiablo]

Originally Posted by Frank211

Never considered wraps, do i just search vinyl rc body wraps?

I don't even bother with that. Just search up vinyl on eBay, I definitely recommend buying the bubble free stuff. It's much easier to apply.

Just make yourself some templates out of paper, I find most bodies are usually 4-6 pieces to complete the body (don't worry the seams disappear better than you expect them to). As a very general guideline the template should be about a 1/2" - 1" too big all the way around.

Once you've got the templates made, just cut pieces of vinyl to the same size and apply them to the body (big pieces are sometimes easier to apply using windex or soapy water but be sure to squeegee all the liquid out and let it dry completely before you touch it).

Then, just trim all the excess using a nice sharp razor blade.

Sent from my SM-A530W using Tapatalk

[QuesoDelDiablo]

This vinyl was really east apply because it's thin:
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Matte-Flat-B...72.m2749.l2649

And this stuff was really hard to apply because it's thick:
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Black-Hologr...72.m2749.l2649



And one more thing about the install, I almost forgot but after it's all applied you need to temper it. I just use my wife's and blow dryer on the hottest hot setting and heat the vinyl as hot as I can. This activates the adhesive and locks the bond into place.

Sent from my SM-A530W using Tapatalk

[Mike Flea]

This is the PS-46:

[durok]

Originally Posted by QuesoDelDiablo

I don't even bother with that. Just search up vinyl on eBay, I definitely recommend buying the bubble free stuff. It's much easier to apply.

Just make yourself some templates out of paper, I find most bodies are usually 4-6 pieces to complete the body (don't worry the seams disappear better than you expect them to). As a very general guideline the template should be about a 1/2" - 1" too big all the way around.

Once you've got the templates made, just cut pieces of vinyl to the same size and apply them to the body (big pieces are sometimes easier to apply using windex or soapy water but be sure to squeegee all the liquid out and let it dry completely before you touch it).

Then, just trim all the excess using a nice sharp razor blade.

Sent from my SM-A530W using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by QuesoDelDiablo

This vinyl was really east apply because it's thin:
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Matte-Flat-B...72.m2749.l2649

And this stuff was really hard to apply because it's thick:
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Black-Hologr...72.m2749.l2649


And one more thing about the install, I almost forgot but after it's all applied you need to temper it. I just use my wife's and blow dryer on the hottest hot setting and heat the vinyl as hot as I can. This activates the adhesive and locks the bond into place.

Sent from my SM-A530W using Tapatalk

Great post, very informative!

I've looked at 3M vinyl in the past and it's just plain astonishing how many colors and patterns there are available.

We need a thread titled something like "Vinyl wrapping your crawler"!

Do you have some pics?

[dr frankenstyle]

Just finished shooting a fresh body .... Tamiya PS-17 for the main .... Spaz Stix green/purple/teal with chrome tips for the flames.





It actually goes thru a dozen or more colors. I shot it with their "prep" first, so hopefully it will stick and take some abuse.


jim

[Frank211]

Y'all gave me some good options to use. Im gonna say it, WHERE'S that damn like button at? Many thanks guys AND very informative for me and everyone else. Really appreciate the help.

[ferp420]

ive used the vinyl carbon fiber wrap on some of my hard bodys i never thought about using it on lexan i thought the heat needed would be to much formthe lexan my only issue is getting the vinyl in to the tight areas maybe the soapy water would help with that

this stuff takes a beating weather on rocks or in the water it hasent come off yet

i was thinking about doing the hood on my raptor build but now you got me thinking i should just wrap the rest in vinyl too maybe a tan color

[JatoTheRipper]

You're welcome. With wraps they go on the outside and are prone to scratching IMO.

[Jim85IROC]

vinyl is also a great option to turn a 1 or 2 color body with a simple paint scheme into something much more custom looking. I tend to prefer this method over the full wrap because it gives you the chance to use a vinyl pattern that would be way too busy if you covered a whole body with it.

Personally, I'm a fan of the Kryptek pattern. I bought a pair of vinyl sheets that compliment each other and used them together on a few cars.

The most basic is my Gen7, where I used the vinyl to add some interest to the stock gray body.



The first application I used this vinyl on, and why I bought it in the first place, was on my Bomber. In this case, I just painted the panels in a simple black, and used the vinyl to add all of the interest.



The most recent usage of this vinyl was on my Yeti. In this case, the vinyl was used more sparingly, and in a way to compliment the 2-tone paint job.


All three of these were pretty simple to do, but I think the result is a very custom look.

[odomandr]

When using the spazstix you wont see it on the body the first few passes. Keep it light it needs a black backer to make the effect happen