80's body...Paint Not Sticking???

[Phil Manro]

I have a customer that has several "classic" bodies from the mid 80's that he wants painted. The 1st two that I am doing are SG. Racing Coyote buggies from around '85.

The bodies are noticeably heavier. I prepped the body per usual (washed and scuffed it) and the paint won't stick. I am using a acrylic (Faskolor) paint. Were they made from a different type of plastic back then? Should I use a lacquer-based paint instead? Anyone have similar issues with older bodies?

Phil

[RCMadMatt]

You're probably gonna have to prime it with a sandable sealer/primer. The old paint is messing with the Faskolor from the sound of it.

Matt

[Phil Manro]

Thanks Matt, I should have been more clear. The bodies have never been previously painted. Any ideas?

Phil

[RCMadMatt]

Hmmm, that is weird. If they are the hard plastic type of bodies, you will still have to prime them like you would a plastic model. It could be they're made from a different type of plastic than a standard plastic model. Sorry I'm not being more helpful. :( You might try paint made for plastic models instead of lexan and see if that helps.

Matt

[Phil Manro]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. It is almost as thick as a model. He left the body with the box that it came in and it does almost appear as though the pic of the body on the box (which he wants me to duplicate) was painted like a model (on the outside of the body). Hmmm.

Phil

[RCMadMatt]

That's how I used to paint my Blackfoot and Clodbuster bodies, with the paint used on plastic models. I also primed them with a sandable primer and then sanded them to get the body straight for paint, because there are imperfections in the molding of the body that must be accounted for. Approach it like you're working on a plastic model and you should be fine!

Matt