How to Remove Paint From an RC Car Body (Lexan and Hard Bodies)
How you remove paint depends on the body material. Clear polycarbonate (Lexan) bodies are painted on the inside, and the common methods are a polycarbonate-safe paint remover or soaking in brake fluid (DOT 3 or similar), then scrubbing with a soft brush; neither attacks the Lexan if used as directed. Avoid acetone, lacquer thinner and other strong solvents, which can cloud, crack or melt polycarbonate. Hard plastic (ABS or styrene) scale bodies are stripped from the outside with plastic-safe strippers or, carefully, with isopropyl alcohol.
By Kyle HilsonUpdated: October 20264 min read
Identify the body material
Most RC bodies for bashers, buggies and race cars are clear polycarbonate, painted on the inside so the paint is protected. Scale crawler and vintage bodies are often hard plastic, painted on the outside like a model kit. Look at the body: if the paint is behind a glossy clear layer and the plastic flexes, it’s polycarbonate. If it’s rigid and painted on top, it’s hard plastic. More detail is in what RC car bodies are made of.
Methods compared
| Method | Body | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Polycarbonate paint remover | Lexan | Made for the job; follow the label |
| Brake fluid soak | Lexan | Popular and effective; messy and toxic, handle with gloves |
| Plastic-safe stripper | Hard body | Test on a hidden area first |
| Isopropyl alcohol | Some paints on hard bodies | Slow; test first |
| Acetone, lacquer thinner | Avoid | Can damage both types |
Stripping a Lexan body
- Remove decals, window film, light buckets and body clips.
- Wear nitrile gloves and eye protection; work in a ventilated area.
- Place the body in a plastic tub and cover the painted inside with remover or brake fluid.
- Leave it for the time on the label (brake fluid often takes several hours).
- Scrub with an old toothbrush or soft brush; the paint lifts off.
- Wash thoroughly with warm water and dish soap until all residue is gone.
- Dry completely before repainting.
Stripping a hard body
Test the stripper on a hidden spot, since some plastics soften. Apply, wait the recommended time, and lift paint with a soft brush or plastic scraper. Avoid metal scrapers that scratch details. Rinse, dry, and lightly sand before primer.
Safety and disposal
- Brake fluid damages car paint and skin; use gloves and protect surfaces.
- Keep strippers away from children and pets.
- Dispose of used brake fluid and remover at a hazardous waste site, not down the drain.
- Ventilate the room.
Repainting tips
Wash the stripped Lexan body inside with soap, mask the windows, and spray thin coats of polycarbonate paint inside, backing light colours with white or silver. For hard bodies, prime first, then paint the outside with model or spray paint suited to the plastic. If the body has cracks or torn mount holes, fix them before painting; see how to repair an RC car body.
Is it worth stripping?
For a popular body, a new clear body may cost little, so stripping makes most sense for rare, discontinued or expensive bodies, or when you want to reuse a body that’s in good shape. Stripping takes a day including drying; a new body is ready to paint immediately.
Decals and window masks
Peel decals before stripping; a hair dryer softens the adhesive. Old window masks and overspray film come off easily once the paint is gone.
FAQ
Does brake fluid damage Lexan?
No, it’s commonly used to strip polycarbonate bodies, but wash it off thoroughly.
Can I use acetone on an RC body?
No, it can damage polycarbonate and many plastics.
How long to soak?
From minutes for removers to several hours for brake fluid.
Can I strip a hard body?
Yes, with a plastic-safe stripper tested first.
More on this topic: the complete RC Cars guide covers the basics behind this article.
About 20 years in RC. Mostly boats in the NAVIGA Mini Eco Expert class, with many self-made parts; also a King Motor Baja 5B, a home-built electric plane, home-built nitro planes he has flown, and an RC helicopter. More about SwellRC
