RC Driver Gives Team Associated’s T5M Stadium Truck a Flashy Chrome Paint Job

1  After trimming out the body with a pair of Lexan scissors, I set it on the chassis to test fit it before I made my holes with a body reamer. Because of the position of the mid-motor transmission, the body mounts have been relocated all the way to the rear, which puts them right through the spoiler. This is actually a good thing as those spoilers are always getting ripped off and could use the extra support. But this also means you should go ahead and mount the spoiler too, so you can make sure the holes line up. After the body has been test fitted, give it a good scrubbing with dish soap and warm water to remove oils. Towel dry with a lint-free towel to avoid water spots.

2  I actually got a little too excited and jumped right into this one, laying the FasMask liquid mask before I had a chance to apply the included precut window mask. That’s OK, I actually tend to prefer to cut the windows myself when I’m doing trim. I lay the FasMask with a 1-inch foam brush. I pour a couple of little blobs into the top and then start spreading them out. I allow a couple of hours between coats. I use two or three coats depending how thick I lay them. This one got two thick coats. It’s better too thick than too thin. I then let it dry overnight

3  I had no idea what to paint going into this, but when I was looking at the body lines on the side; I saw the scallop shapes and I decided they should actually be part of the graphic. So I started by tracing the body lines. Then I drew a scallop shape on a piece of paper and held it on the inside of the body while I traced it twice. The hood is more bubble shaped but I wanted to continue the scallop theme. Then I noticed how the bulges in the hood made a bat wing shape near the window. So I traced that onto a piece of paper and then traced it onto the body at the front of the hood. Then I traced several more scallops on the hood. 

4  I started carefully cutting the graphics with the one that follows the body line with my hobby knife. Be careful not to press too hard and score the body, which would give it cracking points. After cutting all the way around I removed the liquid mask, being careful not to go too fast in case I missed any spots. I shaded around the edges with Fasescent Purple, making one narrow close pass, then backing off for a wider, softer pass. Then I filled it with FasPearl Charcoal and laid one lighter coat before going back over with my coverage coat. I then backed it with FasKrome, to make it opaque and add sparkle. 

5  Now it is time to cut the next layer of graphics. If the paint is blocking me from seeing some of the lines, I just use a small flashlight to shine through. After cutting out the scallops, I carefully removed the mask, this time using the tip of my knife to get the mask started enough so I can get it with my nails. Then I filled the areas with FasPearl Blue, leav- ing it a little lighter in the cen- ter for a little depth. Then I backed it with the FasKrome.

6  Normally I don’t recommend mixing formulations of paint, but I’ve worked with the Spaz Stix Mirror Chrome and Parma paint before with excellent results. Do not try Spaz Stix’ other paints with FasKolor. The Mirror Chrome is a unique formulation. After cutting out the windows I removed the entire mask in the background. I then sprayed the chrome in several light coats. This paint is super thin and it might be tempting to spray it thicker, but be careful when spraying the Parma paints; if you lay it too thick it can wrinkle the other paints, but I have not had a problem. The chrome is semitransparent until backed with an opaque color, so don’t get too carried away, just make sure you have an even, reflective surface.

7  The Mirror Chrome on its own is a fairly deli- cate paint and needs a water based acrylic to back it up and protect it. FasKolor paints are perfect for that and black will bring out the reflective quality, but before laying the black I cut the trim around the windows. I also cut the bed area out of the overspray film, as well as the two little vents in front of the window so I could spray some black on the out- side. I then backed the entire inside of the body with a couple of good coats before spraying the outside areas.

8  Once I clean out my airbrush for the last time, I feel a tremendous relief, but I’m not done yet with this project. I still have to remove the over- spray film and window mask, install the spoiler, and cut out and apply all the decals. For me all this stuff is relaxing but it does take a little time. You can always add the decals while you’re waiting for your battery to peak off at the track.