How do you finish your car bodies — paint, vinyl, shrink coat, label material, etc?

[oxford]

I am looking for a simple, no fuss, way to finish the body of my cars. Not into all the fillers, sanding and multi-coats of paint. Tried the liquid glass — ugh. The vinyl is next on my list.

So, what do you do to add color and graphics to your cars? And post those photos of ya got em.

Thanks

 

[Rocket car]

I sometimes use my sons school folders as the veneer. Quick and easy. Or there is always beer cans.

 

[Crash Enburn]

Some guys here use printer labels for design, and then cover with packing tape.

Me, I like paint. Filling primer and spray lacquers from the auto parts store do a pretty good job. I still haven't achieved the dipped in clearcoat shine on my wood cars, but they've looked pretty good.

The Krylon spray enamels go on thick, take forever to cure, but are very glossy from the get-go.

 

[Chief]

Its kinda funny, when I first found the forum and raced, I wanted my cars to look incredible but the more I lost the less I cared how good it looked losing haha. I like vinyl and "The Kinser" way (sharpie) now a days. I go down to the local sign shop and ask to take out the trash and keep all the scrap vinyl I need. Seems to be a fair trade, and once in a while he makes me a cool graphic too. You can also make your own water slides.

 

[B_Regal Racing]

I like vinyl and "The Kinser" way (sharpie) now a days.

I did the same thing and now do as you and use the "Kinser Kover" method as well...

 

[Kinser Racing]

Sharpies are so easy! It's just an alcohol based stain. I used to spend hours painting and sanding, it was too much for no speed gain. I did cover my first car in Monokote trim sheet today and it turned out really good. It took me about twenty times longer than the Sharpie. We'll see if it gains me anything in a couple of weeks.

 

[Vitamin K]

5Kids has (on his excellent site) a tutorial for making printed body covers: http://5kidsracing.webs.com/easycustomcargraphics.htm

 

[Tekcor1]

Sharpies are so easy! It's just an alcohol based stain. I used to spend hours painting and sanding, it was too much for no speed gain. I did cover my first car in Monokote trim sheet today and it turned out really good. It took me about twenty times longer than the Sharpie. We'll see if it gains me anything in a couple of weeks.

Do you use sharpies over paint, or how do you use the sharpies?

 

[TRE]

he sharpies over the wood.. no paint

 

[Skippy Kicky]

When using sharpies I like to take an alcohol pad and wipe over the surface. It smooths the lines out real nice.

 

[Kinser Racing]

he sharpies over the wood.. no paint

Yep!

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When using sharpies I like to take an alcohol pad and wipe over the surface. It smooths the lines out real nice.

Exactly! I just use a napkin with isopropyl alcohol on it.

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[GravityX]

FREE Scrap pieces from the vinyl or car wrap shops, they just throw this stuff into the trash anyhow.

 

[OPARENNEN]

I am looking for a simple, no fuss, way to finish the body of my cars. Not into all the fillers, sanding and multi-coats of paint. Tried the liquid glass — ugh. The vinyl is next on my list.

So, what do you do to add color and graphics to your cars? And post those photos of ya got em.

Thanks

If you are talking about a car similar to your picture, use Testors Lacquer. If you use multiple colors, use a very good tape, and then after drying, a couple of coats of lacquer clear coat.

 

[Chief]

I just cannot beleive that the Master painter "Quadad" hasnt chimed in on this??? hahahaha

 

[davet]

print a cool image off of computer onto photopaper. Epoxy the image onto the car then clear with automotive clear coat and buff.