Painting your rc helicopter

Painting your rc helicopter


Step 1

Apply the first coat of paint. The kind of paint you use isn't that important as we'll be covering it with a fuel proof clear coat when all's said and done. Start with the lightest color first or go with a good coat of white to give the other colors a good base.


Step 2


Mask off any areas that need masking. You can't beat 3M automotive making tape - it sticks well and produces razor sharp lines with no bleed.


I've found 1/8th inch tape works best for masking curves and then a larger width tape for filling in bigger areas.


Paint in the masked areas and repeat as necessary for all your colors. Ideally, you want to apply each subsequent layer of paint to a partially wet and sticky previous layer so they adhere well.


Step 3


After you've got all your paint layers on and they're dry, you can apply any decals or trim tape. Start at one side and work to the other smoothing out any air bubbles as you go. Using your fingernail, make sure it's rubbed down and adhered firmly.


Some people will lightly scuff the canopy with a thin (#0000) steel wool to give stickers, decals or trim tape a better surface to adhere to. I didn't and the trim tape and vinyl decals I used stuck well, though stickers would probably stick better if you roughed up the surface a little.


I bought the decals off eBay from an automotive supplier and the trim tape could be found at almost any local hobby store.

Step 4


Using an automotive or hobby clear coat, spray on a thin layer of lacquer and let it partially dry so it's still a little sticky to give the next coat a good surface to adhere to.


You may want to add another coat or two of clear coat or add a glossy coat at this point. I used Testors Lacquer Spray Wet Look Clear Coat which turned out quite nicely.