Overview
The Tamiya Lexan Spray Paint PS-18 Metallic Purple is a professional-grade polycarbonate paint specially formulated for RC car enthusiasts in the UK who demand authentic, durable finishes on their remote control vehicles. This premium spray paint was developed specifically for decorating transparent polycarbonate bodies used in R/C car modelling, making it the ideal choice whether you're customising a ready-to-run RC car or completing a competition-grade build. The Metallic Purple colour delivers a stunning, eye-catching finish that makes your RC model stand out on the track or trail.
Each 100ml can contains the perfect amount of paint to finish one complete RC car body, making it incredibly convenient for hobbyists and professionals alike. Whether you're new to RC car painting or a seasoned competitor, this Tamiya spray paint offers consistent, professional results that rival factory finishes. The paint's specially formulated composition ensures it works perfectly with polycarbonate bodies, providing superior adhesion and durability that standard paints simply cannot match.
Tamiya has established itself as a trusted leader in RC hobby supplies across the UK and globally, and this spray paint is a testament to their commitment to quality. When you choose Tamiya Lexan Spray Paint, you're investing in a product backed by decades of RC manufacturing expertise and refinement. Whether you're building a new RC model from scratch or refreshing an existing one, this metallic purple finish will give your RC car the professional appearance it deserves.
Key Features
- 100ml Professional-Grade Polycarbonate Paint — Each can contains exactly 100ml of paint, which is the precise amount needed to complete one full RC car body finish, eliminating waste and ensuring you have the right quantity for your project every time.
- Metallic Purple Colour — The striking metallic purple finish provides an attractive, eye-catching appearance that sets your RC car apart from standard colours whilst maintaining professional quality and depth.
- Developed for Transparent Polycarbonate Bodies — This paint was engineered specifically for use on polycarbonate RC car bodies, which is essential because painting polycarbonate requires different techniques and formulations than painting traditional plastic models, ensuring perfect adhesion and durability.
- Applied from Inside the Body Shell — Unlike traditional plastic model painting, Tamiya Lexan Spray Paint is applied from inside the polycarbonate body, a technique that protects the paint and creates a more durable, professional-looking finish that's less susceptible to chipping and wear.
- Oil and Fuel Resistant Formula — The paint is impervious to oil and fuels, meaning it can be safely used on gas-powered RC bodies without degradation, making it versatile for both electric and nitro RC car enthusiasts.
- Multiple Coat Capability — After the initial coat has cured, you can apply additional coats as necessary to achieve deeper colour saturation and more vibrant metallic effects, giving you complete control over the final finish appearance.
- Easy Application Process — The spray format makes application straightforward; simply keep the can approximately 30cm from the body surface when spraying from the inside, allowing even hobbyists to achieve professional results.
- Cure and Re-coat Ready — The paint cures properly between coats, allowing you to build up colour depth and achieve that impressive metallic effect that Tamiya paints are famous for.
Technical Performance
The Tamiya Lexan Spray Paint PS-18 Metallic Purple represents the pinnacle of paint formulation for polycarbonate RC car bodies. This specialist spray paint has been engineered with polycarbonate chemistry in mind, ensuring molecular-level adhesion that standard acrylic or lacquer-based paints simply cannot achieve. The metallic purple formulation contains pigments and metallic compounds suspended in a fast-drying, polycarbonate-compatible medium that bonds firmly to the transparent body material. The paint's resistance to oil and fuel is particularly important for RC car builders in the UK who run nitro-powered vehicles, as traditional paints would degrade when exposed to fuel vapours and oils. The 100ml capacity is no accident—Tamiya's engineers calculated this as the optimal amount for complete coverage of a single RC car body with appropriate coat thickness. When applied from inside the polycarbonate shell at the recommended 30cm distance, the paint atomises evenly to create a smooth, bubble-free finish. The metallic finish is achieved through carefully balanced pigment suspension, which remains consistent throughout the 100ml can, ensuring colour uniformity from first spray to last. The curing properties allow for multi-coat application, with each coat building upon the previous to create depth and vibrancy that single-coat applications simply cannot match.
What's in the Box
- Tamiya Lexan Spray Paint PS-18 Metallic Purple (100ml can)
What You Need to Complete
- Polycarbonate RC car body (required — this paint is only suitable for polycarbonate bodies)
- Well-ventilated workspace or spray booth (strongly recommended for safety and finish quality)
- Masking tape (optional, for masking windows or trim areas)
- Newspaper or drop cloth (to protect surrounding areas)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use Tamiya Lexan Spray Paint on plastic models? — No, absolutely not. This paint is formulated exclusively for transparent polycarbonate RC car bodies and must never be used on traditional plastic models, as it will not adhere properly and may damage the plastic. Always ensure you are painting a polycarbonate body before using this product.
- How much paint coverage does one 100ml can provide? — Each 100ml can is specifically calculated to paint one complete RC car body with appropriate coat thickness. This makes budgeting and project planning simple—one can equals one finished body.
- Is this spray paint suitable for beginners? — Yes, absolutely. Whilst this is a professional-grade product, the spray application method makes it very accessible for beginners. Simply maintain the recommended 30cm distance from the body surface and spray in light, even passes. The key is to apply multiple thin coats rather than one thick coat, building up colour gradually for the best results.
- Can I use this paint on gas-powered RC cars? — Yes, this is one of the major advantages of Tamiya Lexan Spray Paint. The formula is impervious to oil and fuels, making it perfectly safe for gas-powered (nitro) RC vehicles. This paint will not degrade or peel when exposed to fuel vapours or engine oils, unlike standard paints.
- How do I apply this paint to my polycarbonate body? — Paint from inside the polycarbonate body shell, keeping the can approximately 30cm away from the surface. Work in a well-ventilated area and apply light, even coats. Allow each coat to cure fully before applying the next coat. Multiple thin coats will give you better results than one thick coat, especially with metallic finishes.
- What makes metallic purple different from standard purple paint? — The metallic formulation contains special metallic pigments that reflect light, creating depth and a shimmering effect that standard solid colours cannot achieve. This gives your RC car a premium, professional appearance that catches light beautifully as your model moves and turns.
- Do I need to use a primer before applying this paint? — The sources provided do not specify primer requirements. For best results with polycarbonate bodies, ensure the interior surface is clean and free from dust before application.
Why Buy from RC Model Shop?
RC Model Shop is a trusted UK RC retailer and authorised dealer for all the brands we stock, including Traxxas, ARRMA, Losi, FTX, Hobbywing, Spektrum and more. Based in Walsall, we have a physical store where customers are welcome to come in, view products and purchase in store. Whether you are a seasoned competitor, a weekend basher, or just discovering the world of RC for the first time, our team of experienced RC enthusiasts is here to help you find the perfect setup and provide ongoing support. Order the Tamiya Lexan Spray Paint - PS-18 Metallic Purple TAM86018 today with confidence, knowing you are buying from an authorised retailer with genuine products, expert knowledge and a commitment to customer satisfaction. Shop online or visit us in Walsall — we look forward to helping you get the most out of your RC experience.
- Product Type: Lexan Polycarbonate Spray Paint
- Colour: Metallic Purple
- Model Number: PS-18 TAM86018
- Container Size: 100ml
- Paint Capacity: One 100ml can covers one complete RC car body
- Application Method: Spray paint from inside polycarbonate body shell
- Recommended Application Distance: Approximately 30cm from surface
- Suitable for: Transparent polycarbonate RC car bodies only
- NOT Suitable for: Plastic models
- Finish Type: Metallic
- Oil and Fuel Resistance: Impervious to oil and fuels
- Compatible with Gas-Powered RC Cars: Yes
- Multi-Coat Capable: Yes, additional coats can be applied after curing
- Cure Required: Between coats
We want to make sure your delivery goes smoothly, so here are some important details about our service:
- For orders above £120, we offer delivery to most mainland UK addresses. For orders under £120, we can still deliver to Northern Ireland and the outlying isles, as long as the item can be sent by Royal Mail, weighs less than 30kg, and fits within 61cm × 46cm × 46cm. Some highland and remote areas may carry an extra delivery charge as couriers often apply surcharges in these locations. If you live in one of these areas, feel free to contact us before ordering so we can confirm the delivery options and costs for you.
- Most of our products include delivery in the price. If your order is under £90, a small delivery fee will apply but do not worry this will always be clearly shown at checkout before you complete your purchase.
- Depending on what you choose at checkout, your order will usually be delivered either the next working day or within 2 working days. For next day delivery please place your order before 2:00pm. Orders are dispatched Monday to Friday only. Some items may take a little longer and if that is the case we will always show the expected delivery time on the product page.
- If your order includes items with different dispatch times we will normally wait and send everything together once all items are in stock. If one of the items is going to take a while we will give you the choice either wait for everything to arrive or let us send the available items now and deliver the rest later. It is up to you.
- We use trusted delivery partners to make sure your order gets to you safely and on time. We use DPD for next working day deliveries and Royal Mail for the 2 day option.
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- If a product is marked as "Dispatched within 3 working days" delivery usually takes around 3 to 5 working days from when your order is placed.
- For customers in Inverness and other parts of the Scottish Highlands deliveries can take up to 2 working days even if you select next day delivery as couriers do not currently offer a guaranteed next day service to those areas.