RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

You guys all know I'm working on the 1/6 scale Hetzer, and it came with the lower hull powder coated. Should I prime that first? Maybe a good sanding with 320 or 400 grit paper and then a coat of automotive primer? I'll be using enamel paint for this tank (Model Master).

Has anyone done paint over powder coat before, and can you please tell me your method and the results you got?

Thanks, Guys.

Thanks, Mick, that's good info. You say there are basically two types of powder coat, are they both compatible with automotive primers? My plan is to wash the parts, sand them a bit, wash them again, and then use rustoleum red oxide auto primer, which I believe is an enamel base (I think if it's acrylic it cleans up with water and this stuff needs mineral spirits for cleaning) but I'm not 100% certain on any of this and that's why I turn to the forum for advice. So do you think I have a decent plan or do I need to change it?

For the upper hull I know they used gel coat and that accepts enamel paints and primers quite well, it's just this powder coated lower that I'm uncertain about.

No, you didn't over-complicate. I'm just wondering about "meths". What exactly is that? Would acetone work?

I've got a (I think) powder coated bulkhead on one of my Land Rovers and the paint has blown spectacularly on that: looks like the paint didn't bond correctly. Maybe clean a small area on the bottom with white spirit (meths should work) and paint a patch to see what happens?

RobW wrote:I've got a (I think) powder coated bulkhead on one of my Land Rovers and the paint has blown spectacularly on that: looks like the paint didn't bond correctly. Maybe clean a small area on the bottom with white spirit (meths should work) and paint a patch to see what happens?

That's the plan, but I'll use a spot on the inside of the lower hull. I was thinking I'll let the test patch cure for about a week and see if I can blow it off with an air gun. Maybe also tap it with a plastic mallet to see if it chips or flakes. If the primer sticks I'm good to go, since I've used rustoleum primer under model master enamels many times and it works great. As long as the primer sticks the paint ain't comin' off. If I want to use stuff I have on hand I have a choice between mineral spirits, paint thinner (lacquer), and acetone. Any ideas which would be best? I'm thinking mineral spirits, but lacquer thinner might be best. Acetone may be too strong?

Hi Gary , Acetone and Acrylic Lacquer thinners are solvents , so maybe too much . - Meths is called Wood Alcohol in the US . Plain warm water and washing up liquid would be OK as well . Not Mineral based thinners , as said - unless you are going to use an enamel type primer . B,

OK, I'm doing a test, cleaning with a degreaser, then warm soap and water, then sanding, more soap and water and then the primer. I'm using a self etching primer so hopefully things go well.

As Conan said, We shall see.