TRAXXAS 5846 Body Masks and Body Painting Instructions
- June 6, 2024
- Traxxas
Table of Contents
TRAXXAS 5846 Body Masks and Body Painting
Body Masks and Body Painting Instructions
Buying Paint
Traxxas clear bodies are molded from lightweight and durable polycarbonate and
should be painted on the underside so that the color will not be scratched off
while running. The best way to paint the body is by using spray can paints.
Genuine Traxxas ProGraphix® paint is specially formulated for painting Lexan®
or polycarbonate bodies and provides airbrush-like quality with aerosol
convenience. It is available in 23 colors and specialty coatings to help bring
your vision to life. Other types of paints and solvents can attack the body
material and cause it to appear foggy.
Preparing the Body
The outside of the body has a removable peel coat to protect the
body from scratches and paint overspray. Do not remove the peel coat until
after the body is painted. When the peel coat is removed, the body will be
clear and glossy. The body must be cleaned thoroughly with isopropyl alcohol
or dish soap and water to remove any grease or oil (i.e., fingerprints), which
may keep the paint from adhering to it. Dry the body completely with a soft,
lint-free cloth. Choose the masks you wish to use from the enclosed sheet and
carefully cut them around them, leaving them attached to the underlying sheet.
Test fit the masks on the body to be sure they will fit in the spaces you have
chosen. Once you are satisfied with the positioning, thoroughly clean and
prepare the body. Peel the masks away from the backing sheet and apply them to
the underside of the body. If you want to have clear windows, start first with
the window masks included with the clear body. Start at one end and smooth out
the mask as you go to avoid air bubbles. You may want to cut larger masks into
separate pieces to make application easier. Once you have applied all the
masks, you are ready to apply the base coat (primary color) of paint for the
truck.
Spraying the Body
Read the directions on your bottle or can of paint and shake, mix, or thin the paint, as required. It is very important to avoid breathing the paint vapors, as they are extremely harmful. Spray the paint outdoors in well-ventilated areas only. Apply the paint to the body sparingly and in light coats. Be patient! Let the paint dry fully in between coats. This will prevent accidentally smearing wet paint. After the first coat dries, you can create a multi-layer paint scheme by removing some of the masks and spraying a different color to the exposed, unmasked areas. Use the tip of a hobby knife to pick up the corner of a mask. Grab the corner with your fingers or tweezers and slowly peel the mask away. Once you are satisfied with the results, apply a final protective layer of paint to the underside of the body. Usually, the protective layer is white or silver which enhances and brightens the primary color. Do not remove the window masking until the final layer of paint has dried. After the body is completely painted, remove the peel coat from the outside of the body.
TRAXXAS.com Traxxas, 6250 Traxxas Way, McKinney, TX 75070, Phone: 972-549-3000, Fax: 972-549-3011, e-mail: [email protected]