ThisIsRDG

iTrader: (2)

Everyone in my family is learning how to race, so their bodies are taking some abuse. However I'm seeing much more paint chipping than I would expect. Any advice/suggestions on body prep so I can get the best adhesion possible?

Using Tamiya rattle cans. Painting at 55-60F with mid-50's humidity. Prepping body by washing with Dawn and wiping dry, then allowing to air dry for several hours.

Any ideas?

ollie 45

iTrader: (29)

I always use a red scotch brite pad and do a light sand/scuff before i wash with dish soap like you have stated.
I've never really had any major issues once i started doing this.
Just don't sand areas that don't get paint.

sosidge

Not really an answer but for many years I had no problems with the Tamiya rattle cans, and then for some reason the last two bodies I did with them ended up with major flakes of paint coming off. Just the red and white, not the other cans I was using.

Not sure if I started to do something wrong without realising, or whether something has changed in the paint that might make it less durable.

TurnNBurn

Well, the only things I can suggest are to make sure you wash the body with Dawn using warm water… aside from that, I do recall that if the bodies you have been trying to paint are Pro-Line (or in some cases Protoform), there was a problem about a year ago where several people reported that the agent they were using to prevent mold adhesion was giving people a hard time cleaning it off - so if your bodies are from those brands, it might be worth washing more than once. Not sure if this is still an issue, but you’d have to think that there are still some bodies floating around with that residue on them.

DarthDad

I've had the same issue and was coming here to post a similar experience. I've painted 2 bodies over the past 1.5-2 years using the same rattle cans from Tamiya. Chips first race day with no major collisions. I did a similar prep as you (2x wash, 24 hour dry after second wash to be sure). I did some very light "scuffing" on the second body, but no help. Maybe I didn't do enough. On the second body, I tried to spray lighter coats and give more dry time between them. Not sure what else to do. I'm not trying to create a master piece, just would like it to not look all beat the crap.