Tamiya TS-17 Gloss Aluminium Acrylic Spray Paint 100ml TAM85017

Overview

The Tamiya TS-17 Gloss Aluminium Acrylic Spray Paint is an essential finishing product for serious scale modellers in the UK who demand professional results on their RC car projects. This premium synthetic lacquer spray paint is purpose-designed for applying smooth, even colour coverage across large model surfaces with minimal effort, making it an ideal choice for anyone building 1/24 scale RC cars, static display models, or detailed scale replicas. Whether you're a seasoned RC enthusiast working on competition-grade vehicles or a dedicated hobbyist keen to achieve showroom-quality finishes, this specialist paint delivers the results that distinguish professional-level builds from amateur efforts.

The TS-17 formula represents decades of Tamiya's expertise in model finishing products, trusted by modellers across Europe and beyond. The distinctive gloss aluminium shade is perfect for recreating the authentic metallic appearance of classic sports cars, modern performance vehicles, and contemporary racing machines. This is not generic hobby paint—it's a precision tool designed specifically for the demands of scale model work, where accuracy, durability and visual impact are paramount.

Key Features

• Synthetic Lacquer Formula — The paint is formulated as a synthetic lacquer that cures in a remarkably short period of time, allowing you to progress quickly through your painting schedule without extended drying delays that would disrupt your building workflow.
• Optimised for Spray Application — Specifically engineered for spray application via airbrush or aerosol can, this paint delivers consistently smooth coverage across large surfaces without the brush marks, drag or uneven finishes that can occur with hand-applied products.
• Compatible with Other Paint Systems — The paint is completely unaffected by acrylic or enamel paints, meaning you can apply detailed work, weathering effects and fine picks using water-based acrylics or traditional enamels after the base coat has cured, without any risk of adhesion failure or colour bleeding.
• Professional Coverage Capacity — Each 100ml can contains sufficient paint to fully cover 2 or 3 complete 1/24 scale model car bodies, making it economical for larger projects and reducing the number of cans required for substantial builds.
• Gloss Aluminium Finish — The high-gloss metallic aluminium shade provides authentic visual representation of polished metal surfaces, perfect for recreating the iconic finish seen on classic Mercedes-Benz models, contemporary supercars and competition vehicles.
• Age-Restricted for Safety — This product is appropriately classified as age-restricted (16+ in the UK) due to the solvent content, reflecting its professional-grade formulation and ensuring responsible use by mature modellers.

Technical Performance

The Tamiya TS-17 spray paint represents a carefully formulated balance between application ease and durability. As a synthetic lacquer, it offers superior adhesion characteristics compared to standard acrylic sprays, resulting in a tough, chip-resistant finish once fully cured. The quick-curing nature of the formulation means you can apply subsequent coats or handle the model within hours rather than days, significantly accelerating your build timeline. The 100ml capacity per can is precisely calculated for scale model work—this volume is more than adequate for coating 2-3 complete 1/24 scale car bodies with multiple coats if required, providing excellent value and minimising waste. The paint's compatibility with both acrylic and enamel paint systems makes it extraordinarily versatile; you can lay down your base coat using this spray paint and then apply fine details, decals, weathering and other finishing touches using brush-applied acrylics or enamels without any chemical incompatibility issues. The gloss finish characteristic ensures maximum light reflection and visual impact, creating that professional showroom appearance that distinguishes competition-grade models from casual builds. Critical for UK-based RC and scale modellers: this paint is specifically NOT recommended for clear polycarbonate or Lexan R/C body shells, as the solvents will cause adhesion failure and flaking—for those applications, the dedicated Tamiya PS spray paint range should be selected instead.

What's in the Box

• 100ml can of Tamiya TS-17 Gloss Aluminium Acrylic Spray Paint

What You Need to Complete

• Airbrush equipment or spray booth for controlled application (optional but recommended for best results)
• Protective equipment including respirator or mask suitable for solvent vapours
• Newspaper, cardboard or spray booth to contain overspray
• Your assembled 1/24 scale RC car model or other scale model requiring metallic aluminium finish
• Brush-applied acrylic or enamel paints for detail work and finishing touches (optional)

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is Tamiya TS-17 Gloss Aluminium suitable for all RC car models? — The paint works excellently on plastic scale models, static display models and most standard RC car bodies. However, it is explicitly NOT suitable for clear polycarbonate (Lexan) R/C body shells used on high-speed racing vehicles, as the solvents will cause the paint to flake and fail. For polycarbonate applications, you must use the dedicated Tamiya PS spray paint range instead.
• How much coverage does one 100ml can provide? — A single 100ml can contains sufficient paint to fully cover 2 to 3 complete 1/24 scale model car bodies. Coverage will vary depending on the number of coats applied, spray pressure, application technique and surface preparation, but this specification is based on typical modelling scenarios.
• Can I use acrylic or enamel paints on top of TS-17? — Yes, absolutely—this is one of the key advantages of the TS-17 formula. The synthetic lacquer is completely unaffected by acrylic or enamel paints, meaning you can apply detailed work, pick out interior components, add weathering effects and apply decals using brush-applied acrylics or enamels without any risk of adhesion failure, bleeding or chemical incompatibility.
• What is the difference between TS-17 and other Tamiya spray paints? — The TS series represents Tamiya's premium synthetic lacquer range optimised for spray application. The TS-17 specifically provides a gloss metallic aluminium finish ideal for sports cars and classic vehicles. Other TS colours offer different finishes—TS-7 Racing White provides bright white, TS-8 Italian Red offers classic automotive red, and other colours in the range provide alternative metallic and solid finishes. The formulation and application characteristics remain consistent across the TS range.
• How quickly does TS-17 cure? — As a synthetic lacquer, the paint cures in a remarkably short period compared to acrylic hobby paints. This allows you to progress rapidly through your building schedule. Exact cure time depends on environmental conditions including temperature, humidity and air circulation, but expect to handle the model and apply subsequent coats within hours rather than overnight.
• Is this paint suitable for beginners in scale modelling? — Whilst the paint itself is straightforward to apply via spray, the product is age-restricted to 16+ years in the UK, reflecting the solvent content and safety considerations. Beginners should ensure they have appropriate safety equipment including a respirator or mask suitable for solvent vapours, and should spray in a well-ventilated area or spray booth. Once these precautions are taken, spray application is actually easier than brush application for achieving professional finishes.

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 TS-17 Gloss Aluminium Acrylic Spray Paint TAM85017 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.