Krylon Fusion

For those of us who are without an airbrush (or in my case lacking a compressor) we either pay some one to paint our shells or get a can of Pactra or Tamiya. Those two options are expensive especially when you only do a one or two tone simple paint job. Krylon Fusion is available at a ton of locations and is about $5 bucks a can. The cans are 12 oz. vs the 3 oz. hobby brands! That's the equivalent of four Pactra cans!!

I was in Menards today and happened across this stuff. I was immediately attracted to this color: Nickel Shimmer #2338 It was the perfect silver for a Nissan 350Z shell that I had been reluctant to spray with Pactra's Indy Silver. I felt Indy Silver was to bright and I was looking for something more aggressive in a ready to spray can. I read the can and couldn't find anything that indicated it would destroy polycarbonate (like they would tell me anyhow) so the only way to test it was to try it.

I washed my body, masked and brushed the lint off the inside etc. Then with a spray can pistol handle (also at the hardware store) I used the Fusion's fanned nozzle to spray down the shell. I did 3 coats in 15 minute intervals and the paint didn't run. Most importantly it bonded to the plastic and didn't melt it or any other ill effect that I could diagnose at this time. The metallic flakes did not separated or group up and it was dry to touch pretty quickly.

I have yet to test the durability of the shell but will post results as soon as I get it mounted. At this point I'm giving this paint a 10 for value and a 5 for color selection and availability. The web site lists way more Fusion colors than were on the shelf. But for anyone looking for a cheaper black, white, or darker silver... you can't beat this stuff for the price. There are a bunch of other colors available and the selection may vary by retailer.

I use that stuff all the time at work. It bonds very well to video game seats and panels. im not sure how well it will stick to a flexible body since most my surfaces dont flex. please lmk I would love to have another use for it!

cool man lemme know how that holds up, I have been looking into something new to back my bodies with, but it is hard to beat rustoleum

Yeah, the biggest concern is will it be fuel proof, I'll test that as soon as I trim the body off and report back. If this stuff holds up though this is a way better value in a 12 oz. I'll have the fuel test results up this weekend after the paint has had 24+ hrs to cure.

im sure it will, it is enamel, and the guys on the Sgrid recommended it for backing bodies...many people use it to paint airplane shells

Did you know.....

that spray paint was invented in Sycamore, IL ??

It's true.

BAD NEWS!! After 24hrs of drying and a fuel soaked shop rag... the Fusion will come off. Albeit with a bit of elbow grease. As a point of reference I tried the same test on a Pactra painted body that I did months ago and I rubbed and rubbed and rubbed and rubbed and the Pactra wouldn't come off. So for the sake of the forum memebers I've turned a 350Z body into a concours only body.

Unless somebody can offer advice to fuel proof this paint the verdict is... USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. The Fusion paint does bond, it doesn't flake (not crash test proven though), it's economical, but NOT FUEL PROOF.

rustoleum crystal clear enamel

the rag was fule soaked tho right? u usauly dont gat that much in/on a body.or atleast i never do

I was thinking about that.

True! And I really had to work it a bit to get it to start coming off.

so now i would re pait it and give it a true "car" test. then tell us how it hold up

Don't worry I did the fuel test on a scrap piece of wheel from the lexan. I'll mount this sucker on my RS4 18SS as soon as I get my drive train clean and then I'll do one of my famous chassis bend maneuvers that results in dog bones popping off and fuel lines chewed by the spur gears. If it can take that then it's a keeper!

I've heard that it will not hold.
http://www.badgerracing.com/~rcracer...t=fusion+paint

I respectfully debunk most of that thread. Outside of not being fuel proof those claims haven't been a problem in my application on a standard hpi body washed before spraying. I will try out that peel in one piece comment but I doubt it will happen like that.