Painting with ProGraphix Paint
Learn How to Paint a Polycarbonate Body
If you’ve never painted an RC body before, you may be a bit overwhelmed at first. Don’t worry, painting is easy and we’re here to show you how with the detailed video below. We’ve also broken out the steps and tips as stills to help you get great results with Traxxas ProGraphix® paints. Let’s get started.
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Painting Basics
- Clear bodies are painted on the inside. This protects the paint from scuffs and scratches, and the body’s glossy outer surface makes the colors pop.
- Specialized paint is required for painting clear polycarbonate bodies—regular spray paints won’t stick. Traxxas ProGraphix paints are specially formulated to adhere to polycarbonate with Traxxas-tough durability.
- When painting a body multiple colors, spray dark colors first followed by the lighter colors. This will prevent the darker colors from showing through the lighter colors.
Left: the yellow section was painted first, followed by the red and blue areas. You can see how the red and blue shows through the yellow. On the right, the yellow area was painted last, resulting in crisp color separations with no show-through.
Safety First
Adequate ventilation is a must when using any type of spray paint. Always use spray paints outdoors if possible. If there is a breeze, position yourself so overspray will be carried away from you. A disposable painting mask and eye protection are recommended.
A mask and eye protection are always a good idea when applying any type of spray paint.
Step 1: Choose ProGraphix Paint
Premium paint delivers premium results. From can pressure and spray pattern to nozzle feel and paint chemistry, Traxxas ProGraphix paints have been optimized to deliver professional-grade, airbrush-like results with the convenience of aerosol cans. It’s the best painting experience for customizing your favorite models.
Step 2: Clean & Prep
Cleaning the body is the first step in achieving a professional-looking paint job. Wipe the inside of the body with isopropyl alcohol (aka rubbing alcohol) using a lint-free cloth. Any dust or fingerprints inside the body will be trapped under the paint, so be sure to remove them now.
Rubbing alcohol and a lint-free cloth is all you need to prepare the body for paint.
If your lint-free cloth wasn’t quite as lint-free as you hoped, use canned air to spray away any bits.
Step 3: Shake Well & Test
Shake the can vigorously for about two minutes to make sure the pigment and solvent are fully mixed. Before spraying the body, make a few test passes on a piece of cardboard to familiarize yourself with how the paint flows and how close you need to be to the surface for good coverage (usually 8-10 inches).
Step 4: Apply the Color Coats
Spray the inside of the body using straight overlapping strokes until fully covered. Resist the urge to blast thin spots or tight areas the paint didn’t reach—we’ll get those with the second coat. Allow the body to dry for at least five minutes, then apply a second coat. You may need to change your spraying angle or spray closer to the body to reach certain areas, and that’s OK.
Use long, smooth strokes to coat the body.
Holding the body up to the light will help reveal thin areas.
Step 5: Apply Backing Color
Depending on the color you’ve chosen, you may wish to apply a backing coat of white or silver paint after the color coats have dried. A backing of white will make sure light colors and fluorescent colors achieve full brightness and maximum opacity. White or silver can be used to back metallic colors and bring out the “flake.” White will give a brighter finish, while silver will result in a darker but more metallic look.
We’re backing Maxx Orange with white for maximum brightness.
TIP: You can make a “test body” for trying out color combinations using a soda bottle. Cut the bottle in half, clean the halves, and you’ll have two “bodies” to experiment with.
Step 6: Clean the Nozzle
When you’re done spraying, turn the paint can upside upside down and spray for two seconds to clear the nozzle. Wipe any excess paint from the nozzle and recap the can. For maximum paint life, store ProGraphix paints in a cool, dry place.
Clear the nozzle after use by spraying upside down.
Step 7: Remove the Overspray Film
After the paint has fully dried, you can remove the overspray film. This is super-satisfying, and it’s a thrill to see the colors and body with their full gloss and vibrancy. Apply the decals and your new custom-color body is complete.
Satisfaction level: maximum. This black body really shows off the gloss.
Looking for a flat look? Use ProGraphix Matte Finishing Spray. Give your entire car the no-shine treatment, or use it selectively for realistic matte effects like we did with our 2021 Ford Bronco’s roof. Learn more here!
Pro-Painter Graphics, No Masking Required
We’ve covered the basics of a single-color paint job, but what about a trick multi-color scheme? Well, that takes a lot of skill, patience, and experience—or you could just get a ProGraphix body. ProGraphix bodies are screen-printed with wild custom designs that can’t chip or peel. Just apply your favorite color to fill in the clear areas, and you’ve got a unique look that would have taken hours to create by hand.
ProGraphix bodies’ custom designs have clear areas that you fill with your favorite color—no masking required
Here’s the 6811X ProGraphix body for the Slash. The Metallic Magenta areas are the only paint on the body—the other graphics are printed. Looks custom, yet it’s super convenient!
Learn More: How to Paint Chrome with ProGraphix
Chrome in a can? That’s right, you can “chrome” your body with ProGraphix Chrome and Acrylic Chrome Backer paint. Click here to learn more.
