Check out my WHITE TQ 2 radio...

[pavmentsurfer]

I did this as an experiment. I had a spare, non functional TQ2 transmitter sitting around and wondered how good it would look if I painted it up with Krylon Fusion paint. So I disassembled it completely, taped off all the stickers, split the case halves and painted it up with about 8 coats of krylon bright white. I didnt do any prep to it, just painted. Im pretty impressed with how it came out. Its not perfect, but after all the coats dried its really good and looks pretty sweet. Not a hard thing to do and not hard to get good results.
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab7/pavmentsurfer/RC%20Sale/PA101420.jpg
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab7/pavmentsurfer/RC%20Sale/PA101418.jpg
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab7/pavmentsurfer/RC%20Sale/PA101419.jpg

[rustler09]

looks like something from the 80's, before they painted/dyed the plastic for the ones we use now.

but it does look good.

[dave00bear]

djmaincheese already did up a 2.4 (http://monster.traxxas.com/showthread.php?t=534769) the same way last month.



But either way I think the white looks pretty cool.

[pavmentsurfer]

Yeah, I actually didnt even know this section (radios) existed so I posted mine up in the Rustler forum and it got moved.
His being a 2.4 link looks nicer but I think painting a simple TQ2 really updates its look. I did mine as a test to see if I wanted to attempt it with my KO radio. The result is exactly what I wanted, but I didnt take into consideration that my KO radio logos are all screened directly onto the plastic. So, I cant remove them with heat, or cover up just the logo like you can on a TRX radio. I may try it with my Tactic 2.4... just to do something different with it. But im afraid the KO radio is staying black. either way, the TQ series radios look great in white.

[ksb51rl]

Bored much? :D It looks very good, as did the mentioned 2.4GHz version. You put a lot of work into that test. Kudos for being thorough.

[pavmentsurfer]

Ha ha, thanks KSB and yes... very bored. I wish I could say it was alot of work, but it really wasent. Took about 5 minutes to take apart, a few hours to paint on and off, then a bit longer to put back together. I think the 2.4 ghz version looks ALOT better. I have a 2.4 link radio Im trying to sell right now. Im thinking about painting it as well, maybe it would sell better. What do you guys think.

[pavmentsurfer]

K, I went for it. Im currently painting my 2.4 radio as well. Its going to turn out better than the TQ2 I did... and I even painted the RX... the paint didnt seem stick as well to the RX... but I think it'll finish up nicely. Ill post pics when im done.

[pavmentsurfer]

Just finished up my 2.4... looks sweet. The RX turned out o.k. as well. Its not perfect but the small blemish areas covered up after the first coat. Im happy with the results. I can say this after having both radios apart... the 2.4 has WAY less stuff inside. Just thought that was interesting.
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab7/pavmentsurfer/RC%20Sale/PA111427.jpg
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab7/pavmentsurfer/RC%20Sale/PA111429.jpg

[ksb51rl]

Certainly another good job. The pink antenna tube is... interesting. ;)

[Jay 313]

I think they turned out great!

Fusion is awesome stuff, never needed any prep work for any of the million things I have used it for.

I'm just wondering how the grip will hold up from being handled all the time.

[dkrhardy]

If you are like me, your hands get dirty and a bit oily when out in the field. Hmmmm ..... white radio and dirty hands?

[pavmentsurfer]

I cant comment on how theyll resist dirt... but once the paint is super dry it hardens like plastic. Maybe it will get dirty, maybe it will wipe right off... I wont be finding out any time soon as the 2.4 Link radio just sold (I had it up for sale) and the guy is stoked that he got a white one. Thats why he bought it.
The TQ2 doesnt work and is for sale in the market place. I figured someone might want to buy it just for the white casing. Maybe ill just end up throwing it out. Who knows, a broken TQ2 is worth what? less than nothing? hehe.

Thanks for noticing the pink KSB... its a statement about my personal comfort level. Not really... this system came out of my wifes purple pede. So the pink antenna was for her. No, seriously... it was!

[Jay 313]

I may very well try this one day. I'll add a layer or two of clear coat on top of the paint for protection.

FWIW, Krylon Fusion is also available in clear.

[pavmentsurfer]

I did not know it came in clear. Weird... but good. I also thought about one of those neoprene grip wraps you can get to go around the grip area of your controller... that would keep the white clean. Krylon seems to dry like plastic though. Its super hard, not soft in any way so im not sure its a big issue in terms of dirt build up unless you ran nitro, which could potentially cut into the paint if it got on your hands. Not sure about that though.

[01spyder]

Im suprised no ones aibrushed there radio yet... True fire= wicked cool!

[pavmentsurfer]

Im kindof surprised no one makes a graphic kit for the traxxas radios as well. I would think this would be an extremely popular radio and therefore graphics kits would sell well. Ive seen them for many other radios, but never a TQ or 2.4 traxxas radio.

[papermaker]

Here's mine:
http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab66/hms2448/DSC_7326-1.jpg
http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab66/hms2448/DSC_7325-1.jpg
Removing the post was easy.
I'm thinking about listing--think it would sell?

[SirSlash4x4]

Pretty sweet :D

@papermaker reason you cut out the bar on the side?

[TMAXX HAWK]

Those are all cool. I dont have a pick but i did mine black

[pavmentsurfer]

That orange radio looks cool. I like the bar cut out... im not crazy about the orange but It looks like an amazing paint job and like i said, I like the bar cut out.

[papermaker]

Removed the post because I really like the Spektrum radios. I thought about flat black. I have another radio, I may do that one(black with no post). My favorite is red, but the Traxxas decals are red. I use a 2.4 link now and I will probably do that also and sell the tq3 am.

[Jay 313]

I did not know it came in clear. Weird... but good. I also thought about one of those neoprene grip wraps you can get to go around the grip area of your controller... that would keep the white clean. Krylon seems to dry like plastic though. Its super hard, not soft in any way so im not sure its a big issue in terms of dirt build up unless you ran nitro, which could potentially cut into the paint if it got on your hands. Not sure about that though.

Yeah, I always used to use DupliColor clear coat from the auto parts store, but I was looking online at the different colors Fusion is available in, and found that they they make a clear. Now I lay that down on top when I paint with Fusion. Seems to workk about the same as the DupliColor stuff, but I like the idea of Fusion on Fusion better.

I think that, if anything, the paint might dull down over time around the grip. Even with a layer of clear, it still might happen. Or it may never be an issue at all.

I painted the hard tonneau cover of my 1:1 truck with Fusion (topped with clear) last summer and it's still pristine. I walk on it all the time, and it has survived two summers and one winter so far. That's why I think that if Fusion can handle that, it can handle anything.

[fallonguy]

I like that one too.

[Dknuckles]

That orange looks sick. I'm going to have to try that. Pave you did a great job with the white. My kids want me to color thiers now after seeing this thread!

[infokiz]

Any special process aside from a good cleaning to prep the radios for paint?

[papermaker]

Just do what the 1st post said.

[traxxasbrothers]

We need some bright green and pink!!!!

[papermaker]

http://www.krylon.com/products/fusion_for_plastic/

Don't have all of these here.

[hoffmanestates]

im going to do bloodorange, as i just found 2 old pistol grips. and the other like a bright green

[rockstar7777]

Never thought about painting the transmitter...awesome i like the orange one without the front bar. I dont have the patience and nerves to attempt that. I have trouble getting paint to stick to my lexan bodies. Normally im a good painter..when it comes to a lexan body...nope. i screwed up 2.... i know the radios arent lexan, but im afraid id screw it up...

[papermaker]

The orange one is for sale.

[rockstar7777]

Yeah, but the orange one is not a 2.4 ghz radio. Its a 27 mhz radio....if it was a 2.4 id be all over it...

[papermaker]

Just change the guts, or paint it yourself. It was really super easy. I don't paint well either and I was pretty pleased with the results.

[rockstar7777]

So i can take my 2.4 guts and put them into the orange casing of that 27? I didnt know that. How much you selling it for?

[papermaker]

May have to drill a couple of holes for the programing buttons. I am pretty sure I saw a post somewhere about this but I can't find it.

[rockstar7777]

Whats the price?

[papermaker]

15 shipped

[rockstar7777]

Paypal? For 15 bucks, its worth a try....lol

[papermaker]

I'll bust them open to take a quick look. Do you want the whole radio or just the shell and screws? Doesn't matter to me, I just wouldn't have to put it back together. Paypal is sc24@myfairpoint.net, Scott Clough

[rockstar7777]

Just toss the unassembled whole thing inthe box. It doesnt matter. Ill use the guts for spare parts or something.idk

[rockstar7777]

Payment sent

[rockstar7777]

Hasnt got here yet. When it does, ill let ya know.

[rockstar7777]

The tq and 2.4 ghz radios are nearly identical inside..the cases. The 2.4 has all the holes for the 27 mhz tq radio. Just have to drill 1 hole in the back. Not a big deal at all. To put the 2.4 internals inside a 27mhz tq radio. Just drill 2 holes for the settings buttons. I switched the wheels and faceplates as well so it looks right. Took me about 15 minutes to take both apart, switch, and reassemble both radios. The orange one looks awesome now. I had to drill an extra hole in it for the tlock switch..because mine is a 4 channel. Im glad i spent the 15 bucks.

It woukd be really easy to just take apart and paint as well. Just keep track of your screws.

[papermaker]

Glad you were pleased with the radio.


The tq and 2.4 ghz radios are nearly identical inside..the cases. The 2.4 has all the holes for the 27 mhz tq radio. Just have to drill 1 hole in the back. Not a big deal at all. To put the 2.4 internals inside a 27mhz tq radio. Just drill 2 holes for the settings buttons. I switched the wheels and faceplates as well so it looks right. Took me about 15 minutes to take both apart, switch, and reassemble both radios. The orange one looks awesome now. I had to drill an extra hole in it for the tlock switch..because mine is a 4 channel. Im glad i spent the 15 bucks.

It woukd be really easy to just take apart and paint as well. Just keep track of your screws.