Re-painting old SCX cars

StuBeeDoo · 27th-Jun-24, 01:53 PM

Has anyone had any success re-painting Matchbox-era SCX cars? I've been trying on-and-off for years to do a repaint on a Subaru Impreza, and when I get to the stripping/prepping/priming the body always distorts. Angry

I've lost count of the failures I've had, but I've got at least 3 spare chassis now.

I've taken the plunge and bought yet another donor car for one final attempt. I'm wondering if just abrading the factory finish before priming might be the answer, although Lord knows how I will get into all the crevices........

Any thoughts/suggestions gratefully read.

Kevan · 27th-Jun-24, 02:22 PM

How are you stripping them?

StuBeeDoo · 27th-Jun-24, 04:03 PM

Various methods. First try was the usual dunk in meths. That one wasn't even in there a minute and I was watching (with my nose pinched!....) as the body twisted. Cussing

When I took it out, and dried it, the glossy finish was still intact.

Next try, I used the same method, but isopropanol instead of meths. Similar result, but it lasted longer before distorting.

Then I tried using a Scotchbrite soaked in meths. 30 minutes or so after being beaten into submission by the fumes, I went back to the car and the roof had bowed where I had been rubbing it with barely any pressure. Again, the gloss was still intact.

Short of trying coarse wet and dry, I'm out of ideas. But then, how do I get the glossiness out of the crevices (shut-lines, etc)?
I just wondered if anyone else has had a similar experience and overcome the issue.

chappyman66 · 27th-Jun-24, 05:00 PM

Use flat primer right over the top?

Now I am worried, I have a couple F-40s that I need to respray....

StuBeeDoo · 27th-Jun-24, 05:22 PM

(27th-Jun-24, 05:00 PM)chappyman66 Wrote: Use flat primer right over the top?

Now I am worried, I have a couple F-40s that I need to respray....

I will probably give that ^^^ suggestion a go for my final attempt before I give-up. I might have already given-up, but I got a dose of bidding fever.

In respect of your F40s, I did have a similar, but not quite as bad, issue with a BMW M3 of similar vintage. Fortunately I already had a spare.

chappyman66 · 29th-Jun-24, 07:00 PM

I wanted to make my own Totip and Pilot liveries. Figured on disassembly, priming and painting. I already have the decals.

The are old, slow cars....I just wanted to pretty them up a bit since the Artin Porsche GT1 came so so well.

Kevan · 29th-Jun-24, 08:08 PM

I don't trust the 'soak' method.

I tried Dettol once...never again!...the stench turned my stomach after a few hours.

Best stuff I've used is this stuff:

It'll take some time but use a good sized container, pour some of this stuff in then brush it on an area and keep rubbing the brush round until you see paint slowly coming off.
...I wouldn't leave it soaking though, as I said I don't trust that method