Polycarbonate Paints

[madisonwoodsmith]

I recently picked up a few Pactra paints for Polycarbonate in a bulk purchase on everyone's favorite auction site. Having never used them, I'm curious as to if they can be used on styrene. I'm kinda thinking that as long as the styrene is primed, it should be ok, but don't want to waste a good kit to ruined body. Does anyone have experience in using these paints? Any tips or things to avoid? BTW, these are in rattle cans, if that makes any difference.

Thanks, John

[Art Anderson]

I recently picked up a few Pactra paints for Polycarbonate in a bulk purchase on everyone's favorite auction site. Having never used them, I'm curious as to if they can be used on styrene. I'm kinda thinking that as long as the styrene is primed, it should be ok, but don't want to waste a good kit to ruined body. Does anyone have experience in using these paints? Any tips or things to avoid? BTW, these are in rattle cans, if that makes any difference.

Thanks, John

You should be able to use them on styrene still. I knew several modelers back in hte 80's when those paints first came out who were doing just that. They are a lacquer base, so a good automotive lacquer primer should be used, and with some colors a silver, gold or white automotive lacquer as a "ground base color".

In my experience, however, these paints come out with a very flat finish, as they were meant to be sprayed on the inside of Lexan (polycarbonate) body shells for RC cars, and adhesion was/is more important than a shine, so your favorite clear gloss will come into play as well.

Art

[64SS350]

If this is for lexan, be prepared, the paint comes out heavy, it will come out flat, and I'm not sure I would do primer, it's made for direct contact.

Edited March 5, 2014 by 64SS350

[mnwildpunk]

I do not have experience with these but what I would suggest is spraying the sprue both (primered and un-primered) of the kit you would like to use first and see how the paint reacts with the sprue. That way you would know for sure how things will turn out

[Matt T.]

I used some Pactra Polycarbonate spray on my '57 Chezoom build. I applied it over DupliColor automotive primer and it did come out with a matte-to-flat sheen. I liked it, so I didn't clearcoat it.

[madisonwoodsmith]

Thanks guys, I didn't know if it required special treatment or what. I imagine I'll use it sometime, but these particular colors are fluorescent and I have nothing I'd use them on in my stash.

John