This page is intended for any Tips and Tricks, from painting to quick fixes and time saving procedures.

Painting

Homemade Overspray Film - Brock Hunter

If you're ever getting ready to paint a body, but realize that it doesn't have any over spray film, here are some tricks you can use to create your own.

The Microwave approach:
Get large strips of plastic wrap and place them over the body like a blanket. Do not push it down trying to stick it to the body, simply let it hang there, making sure there are a few inches of plastic wrap overhanging all around the body. Once this is done put the blanketed body into the microwave and turn the microwave on for a very short amount of time. If cooked for too long you can risk melting the body, if cooked for too little, the plastic wrap will not suck to the body, because of this it may take several attempts to find the perfect cooking duration. Continue cooking the body until the plastic wrap has sucked itself to the body.

The Hot Air approach:
Get large strips of plastic wrap and place them over the body like a blanket. Do not push it down trying to stick it to the body, simply let it hang there, making sure there are a few inches of plastic wrap overhanging all around the body. Next, start blowing the body with hot air from a blow drier, heat gun, lighter, or blowtorch. (If using a blowtorch, keep the torch far away from the body so you don't risk burning or melting the plastic wrap or body.) Continue blowing hot air at the body until the plastic wrap has 'sucked' itself to the body.

The Tape approach:
Get large strips of plastic wrap and place them over the body like a blanket. Push the plastic wrap down so it sticks to the body, making sure the entire body is covered. Once this is done, tape down the edges of the plastic wrap to the body to ensure that no paint will go underneath the plastic wrap.

Butchered Paint Job - Jerry Hawryluk

If you've ever butchered the paint job on your nice new body and wish you could start over without paying for a new body here's a trick for you!

Brake fluid removes paint quickly and easily without eating or melting the body. Pour some brake fluid into the shell and, with a brush or paper towel, wipe it around to cover all surfaces. Give it a few minuets and you'll start to see the paint bubble and flake. Use a paper towel to start wiping the paint away! You may have to repeat a few times depending on how thick you applied the paint. This trick work with Faskolor, Pactra spray can, and Alclad laquer paint.

Remember to wash out the body using dish detergent really well before attempting to repaint the body, as the paint will not bond because of the brake fluid!

Body

Homemade Body Washer/Protector - Kevin Phillips

For quick and easy homemade body washer/protectors use the sealer from the inside of the cap of a pop bottle. Just cut a hole for the body post to fit through and you're ready to go. They come in a variety of different colours! You pay 99 cents for the washer and get some pop for free!

Removing Tire Marks and Scuffs - Larry Zimmerman

You take your new body to the track and after the first few runs you notice black marks it. This is from hitting the wall, or colliding with other cars. Most of these can be taken off with Zippo lighter fluid that comes in bottles of varying sizes. Most of these marks just easily wipe off with no effort at all, returning your scuffed body to almost new looking.

Removing Tire Marks and Scuffs Part II- Jerry Hawryluk

Goo Gone, used to remove the adhesive residue left by different types of tape, is very effective at removing most scuffs. I haven't tried the lighter fluid method, but this method works extremely well.

Suspension

Zipped Shock Preloads - Brock Hunter

If you ever want to add more preload onto the springs, but don't have enough preload clips, wrap a zip tie around the shock above any existing preload clips. The zip-tie will prevent the existing preload clips from moving up the shock, acting as an extra preload clip.

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