Polycarbonate paint question

[customline]

Some time ago I bought a rattle can of Tamiya white pearl paint. Today I located that can and noticed it was for polycarbonate plastic. My question: is there any reason why I can't use it on a styrene project? What's different about it?  

[Mark]

It's a lot hotter than the Tamiya sprays used on styrene, as it is sprayed on the clear R/C body on the inside and has to bond to that plastic without primer.  You could probably get away with it over white lacquer primer or paint.  Since it's a pearl, you will be clearcoating it anyway.

[Matt Bacon]

It's really hot (and incidentally a lot tougher and more flexible than regular Tamiya spray; it's intended not to flake off if the R/C body takes a knock and bends). I wouldn't use it on anything that is intended for a styrene plastic model unless I'd tested it with that exact combination of plastic, primer, paint and clear thoroughly beforehand...

best,

M.

[Shark]

The finish is flat, so you will have to clear coat it. I have used it on Monogram Nascars with no trouble after a good primer coat.

[monza77]

My experience was mostly with Pactra paints. I prefer to use polycarbonate paint when spraying white as I found it covers better than regular white paint for styrene. I always prime with Duplicolor or Tamiya first. Follow regular procedure, prime, warm the PC paint, spray light coats. By spraying heavy coats to finish I actually got it glossy. I found it does not sand well , its a really tough paint, won't chip but put on heavy I was happy with the amount of gloss. PC paint seems to shrink when applied and did not bury details. I also liked Pactra PC  metallic black as when put on heavy the metallic particles appeared gold in colour. It was tricky as the particles would tend to  sink and you were left with black. I have used Tamiya PC paint and it was harder to get it to gloss. I tried other colours but found the colours off in a way I can't explain. I do want to try the candy colours though. I only have bottles now. Again this is my experience only.

[Deathgoblin]

I've used it a few times on models.  It does spray flat but will polish out.  I haven't had any problems with it being too hot or causing problems with plastic, just use a good primer.  My Prowler and Tweedy Pie are both painted with with PS-18.  

[customline]

  On 5/22/2025 at 1:32 AM, Deathgoblin said:

I've used it a few times on models.  It does spray flat but will polish out.  I haven't had any problems with it being too hot or causing problems with plastic, just use a good primer.  My Prowler and Tweedy Pie are both painted with with PS-18.  

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  On 5/21/2025 at 11:36 PM, monza77 said:

My experience was mostly with Pactra paints. I prefer to use polycarbonate paint when spraying white as I found it covers better than regular white paint for styrene. I always prime with Duplicolor or Tamiya first. Follow regular procedure, prime, warm the PC paint, spray light coats. By spraying heavy coats to finish I actually got it glossy. I found it does not sand well , its a really tough paint, won't chip but put on heavy I was happy with the amount of gloss. PC paint seems to shrink when applied and did not bury details. I also liked Pactra PC  metallic black as when put on heavy the metallic particles appeared gold in colour. It was tricky as the particles would tend to  sink and you were left with black. I have used Tamiya PC paint and it was harder to get it to gloss. I tried other colours but found the colours off in a way I can't explain. I do want to try the candy colours though. I only have bottles now. Again this is my experience only.

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  On 5/21/2025 at 9:02 PM, Shark said:

The finish is flat, so you will have to clear coat it. I have used it on Monogram Nascars with no trouble after a good primer coat.

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  On 5/21/2025 at 8:39 PM, Matt Bacon said:

It's really hot (and incidentally a lot tougher and more flexible than regular Tamiya spray; it's intended not to flake off if the R/C body takes a knock and bends). I wouldn't use it on anything that is intended for a styrene plastic model unless I'd tested it with that exact combination of plastic, primer, paint and clear thoroughly beforehand...

best,

M.

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  On 5/21/2025 at 8:26 PM, Mark said:

It's a lot hotter than the Tamiya sprays used on styrene, as it is sprayed on the clear R/C body on the inside and has to bond to that plastic without primer.  You could probably get away with it over white lacquer primer or paint.  Since it's a pearl, you will be clearcoating it anyway.

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Thank you all for helping me !  I appreciate it !

[oldcarfan]

I used it on a model one time when I couldn't find the color I needed in regular paint. I took precautions, using plenty of Duplicolor Sandable primer for a barrier. It dries flat so I used Testors or Tamiya clear coat afterwards. Don't remember which.

[Straightliner59]

  On 5/21/2025 at 8:39 PM, Matt Bacon said:

It's really hot (and incidentally a lot tougher and more flexible than regular Tamiya spray; it's intended not to flake off if the R/C body takes a knock and bends). I wouldn't use it on anything that is intended for a styrene plastic model unless I'd tested it with that exact combination of plastic, primer, paint and clear thoroughly beforehand...

best,

M.

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I used Pactra's old polycarbonate on a Monogram '40 Ford pickup. It worked fine. I used a good primer under it.

[Carmak]

I have used it for years for very specific applications.

I DUST it on interior pieces to achieve the pearl look of some 60's vinyl.

I have also DUSTED it on flat black vinyl tops.

The key here is to DUST it on! Practice on a test piece.

[customline]

  On 5/27/2025 at 6:08 PM, Carmak said:

I have used it for years for very specific applications.

I DUST it on interior pieces to achieve the pearl look of some 60's vinyl.

I have also DUSTED it on flat black vinyl tops.

The key here is to DUST it on! Practice on a test piece.

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  On 5/25/2025 at 10:47 PM, Straightliner59 said:

I used Pactra's old polycarbonate on a Monogram '40 Ford pickup. It worked fine. I used a good primer under it.

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  On 5/25/2025 at 1:40 AM, oldcarfan said:

I used it on a model one time when I couldn't find the color I needed in regular paint. I took precautions, using plenty of Duplicolor Sandable primer for a barrier. It dries flat so I used Testors or Tamiya clear coat afterwards. Don't remember which.

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Thanks, guys, I appreciate the info.