How to Paint an RC Body Shell...with an Airbrush!

This is a transcript of the YouTube video of the same name that you can find here.

Aaron: So? What do you need to airbush? 

Mario: There is a large range of Compressor and Airbrush options to choose from.

Today we are looking at a great starter kit We’re going to be using this Sparmax Arism Airbrush set with compressor and cleaning pot, and some masking tape of various sizes.

Consider the impact on Others Including Humans and animals, smell and overspray can impact others that are in close proximity of where you are airbrushing. Suitable Respirators and masks along with an Airbrush Spray booth and adequate air ventilation are recommended. I am always mindful where my cat and family members are when airbrushing.

 

Mario: And AA, what do you want to paint?

 

Aaron: Protoform dodge dart polycarbonate body, and we’ll put it on a fazer chassis. Hamish has already done a “how to paint an rc body shell” video, and honestly it doesn’t really need any more views, it’s doing fine, but go and watch that if you want to see how to prep a lexan body for any kind of paint because that bit is exactly the same. Link in description, and up here, hopefully. We’ve also decided on a simple but tough colour scheme, red with a black bonnet and boot and a white garage logo on the side. This paintjob doesn’t have to be airbrushed, but it can be.

 

What paint are we using? 

Mario: Vallejo premium airbrush Color paint. 

 

What makes this paint different than others/compatible with lexan?

Mario:  Premium has been formulated with permanent pigments and a new, extremely resistant hybrid resin of acrylic-polyurethane, for optimum adherence on surfaces such as fiberglass, polyethylene, polycarbonate, metal and Lexan.

Aaron: That’s what really intrigued me, I like that we can mix up a totally unique custom colour. We’ve got a few different reds here that I’m going to blend into something that hopefully looks cool.

 

How do airbrushes work?

Mario:  They work based on a principle called atomization, where the liquid paint is broken down into fine particles or droplets, which are then propelled onto a surface.

 

Aaron: What do we set the compressor to?

Mario:  For Vallejo Premium Airbrush Colour 15-20 psi, although this can vary based on the viscosity of the paint.

 

Aaron: Anything else? Like atmospheric conditions and planetary alignment? What if the planet Mercury is in Gatorade?

Mario:  Generally, you want to avoid weather which is too hot or Humid. In my experience depending on the paint being used ideal temperature would be approx. 15degC to 30degC.

 

Aaron: So this is a dual action air brush; how do we use it, and why is dual action better?

Mario:  The dual action airbrush works by pressing down on the trigger to get air flow, then simultaneously pulling back on the trigger to get paint flow. The further back you pull the trigger, the more paint you get.

 

Aaron: So, before I make a mess of this - Cleaning up? And how do I get better at airbrushing?

Mario:  Well, those two things are completely linked. To get better, you gotta practise. And to practice, you need your airbrush to work, so keep it clean!

Pour out excess paint from your airbrush cup and simply place your airbrush in the rubber housing which feeds into the glass pot section. Use Airbrush cleaning fluid to then flush your airbrush until it shoots clean.

 

Aaron: Alright, wish me luck, I’m gonna go try to do a thing.

Mario:  Good luck!

 

Aaron:

So, with Mario’s wisdom freshly echoing around my head, it’s time to try my first ever airbrushing job. 

Masking the bumpers, bonnet, and boot is exactly the same as if we were using rattle cans.

Once you’ve masked off exactly where you need to mask off, you can cover up the rest of the body with paper and some thicker masking tape.

Fire up the compressor and set the pressure to about 15-20psi.

To avoid paint spotting, give it a quick blast of just air to clear it out before you actually start spraying.

I’m just gonna practice super quick on this first. (vegemite jar teehee).

Dark colours and “outer” details first – so bonnet and bumpers, before the red main body colour.

First, bonnet and boot and black.

Same as if we were using a rattle can, we’re going to do a light dust coat first. This helps the next couple of coats stick to the body better. 

Then, we’re going to do the bumpers silver.

And the main body red.

We’re using a part of this “Garage Paris” stencil from Vallejo, but masking off the “Paris” part because this is a Dodge.

And, because we are absolute maverick rebels who break rules for fun, we are going to be painting on the OUTSIDE of the body shell. Why? I think it’ll look cool, like a real old muscle car has been bought by a garage and they added their logo to the side. Mario thinks it’s a terrible idea, so we’ll find out if I survive.

This will be more prone to scratches, but that itself will look cool too. So, if you do this as well, remember the paint won’t be glossy unless you put a gloss clear coat over it. And also remember to peel off the protective film, otherwise you’ll just be stencilling onto something that is gonna be immediately taken off.  Definitely not speaking from experience here.

Ideally, increase the spray distance – you don’t want the air getting under the stencil and lifting it away from the body.

With the shell painted and stickered, it’s now time to see how badly I’ve offended Mario’s artistic sensibilities…

 

Aaron: So - what do you think?

Mario: *Replies, very kindly, amazed at Aaron’s natural ability*.

Ah that's awesome!

Aaron: How good is the red? That is that's a unique color right there!

Mario: Well my only question - what have you done here?

Aaron: I don't know what you're talking about. Okay, look, I know that it goes against every fiber of your being, painted on the outside, but the whole idea is we're going to take it to the track, we are going to drive it. It's not a shelf Queen - it's a race car. It is going to get damaged it is going to get scuffed up and I thought it would look cool if at some point it got sideswiped and you get these cool streaks down the side.

Mario: So you want the outside bit scratched?

Aaron: Yeah! We're going to do some more scale stuff in the future, and that will be a part of it.  So yeah, thank you so much for sharing your wisdom, experience, and everything to help get me started airbrushing stuff. It was fun!

Mario: My pleasure!