Painting Carrera Track

[@albewolf]

Thank you!! Wonderful video!

[@biggusmikus]

Thank you!

[@ironmaiden5658]

For those thinking of doing this, remember to keep some of the original paint so you can color match later when you buy more track to add. Otherwise you'll have mismatched pieces all over the place.

[@wjspade]

It could make for a cool effect though. Like when a real race track has had a section updated, but there’s still old parts of the track, too. I’ve been toying with the idea of adding some Nurburgring style graffiti on parts of my track, too!

[@mreid08]

I'm thinking about using chalkboard paint and see how much the traction improves and maybe add fine aggregate if I need to.

[@biggusmikus]

That should be interesting. I don't think I've seen that done before. Let me know how it goes.

[@mreid08]

@@biggusmikus Well I painted some curves that can be slick and now my Mustang gty isn't as twitchy I can squeeze the trigger harder coming out of the corner, it can still spinout but not as easy, still going to experiment after the urethane tires show up..

[@biggusmikus]

@@mreid08 Right on. I definitely noticed a difference once I gave my cars some time to lay down some rubber on the track. Seemed to get better as it went along. Thanks for the update. Cool that that worked out. You should notice a difference with the urethane tires as well.

[@roundsaturn31]

Hello, good work. How is it holding up? I am wondering if hitting it with a flat clearcoat would be an improvement?

[@biggusmikus]

Hi, it's working great. Never had an issue with any of it and the look is uniform even if the pieces were painted at different times. I have no idea about a clearcoat or what that might do.

[@roundsaturn31]

@@biggusmikus Good to know, thanks for the reply. I was thinking of the constant rubbing of the tires and etc following the same basic running lines lap after lap, thinking it would eventually rub the paint off, Usually after the paint job dries, if you put a clear coat on it, the item is protected much better, like a car finish or an outdoor table...today's modern paint probably has those protectants built in. Thanks again for verifying that it's holding up :)

[@biggusmikus]

@@roundsaturn31 I've never had any paint rub off. I have had, however, a racing line develop on the track as the cars lay rubber down. I use rubber tires when possible, usually the stock rubber. So on track there is a light racing line. I'm wondering what kind of traction properties a layer of clear coat would have. The vinyl works great on top. I suppose if clear coat didn't create a totally slick surface, then it would probably work. I'd definitely try it on a track piece or two before going all in on it just in case.

[@roundsaturn31]

@@biggusmikus yes, we are on the same page...it's kind of interesting since I was thinking of spray painting for a cocrete look and then sealing it with a flat clear coat, for the clear coat to work it would have to seal the paint...so even flat would probably create a slicker surface...don't know and probably over thinking it, but that's what learning is all about :) Thanks for the chat and Happy Holidays!

[@mealston1725]

Since you used a latex (water-based) paint....how are the metal guides holding up?

[@biggusmikus]

Everything is working great. I haven't had a single track piece go bad.

[@billffromnh]

Nice video, painting plastic track is easier than I thought. Any special tires work better on the paint than others? Or are you using stock Slot-It?

[@biggusmikus]

Thanks! I found that the paint had no negative effect on the stock tires. In fact, the Slot.it tires run great on it. I also run urethanes, but not on all the cars, just a few of them.

Well done!

[@biggusmikus]

Thanks!

[@BT-ru4bd]

did the paint add any texture (additional grip) ?

[@biggusmikus]

I felt a slight increase in grip. Not a huge one, but noticeable.

[@edwinkluvers8906]

What do you use for cleaning at first? No primer needed?

[@biggusmikus]

No, I didn't need to do anything but wipe the track down with a lint free cloth. Didn't need any primer either. Just two coats of the paint.

[@edwinkluvers8906]

@@biggusmikus oke, looks nice. Good option!

[@ericsmith2562]

Better, same or less grip?

[@biggusmikus]

I think there’s a slight but noticeable increase in grip.

[@Clearwater124]

What about where the sensors are?

[@biggusmikus]

This is an analog track. I don't have sensors.

[@jspeedrc]

👍

[@ellisjames7192]

I would like the color a bit darker, a more concrete color.

[@biggusmikus]

There are a lot of color possibilities. I think it's really up to you and what you're looking to do.

[@ellisjames7192]

Why not spray paint?

[@biggusmikus]

I suppose you probably could, but I think it would be difficult not to get runs or paint buildup, much less get a consistent finish. It goes on very smooth with a roller, and the entire surface is covered. Spray paint would be difficult to evenly apply, I think, and since I make loads of different layouts, I don't want to have to keep any pieces of track together just to keep the color consistent.

[@ironmaiden5658]

I'm a painter. You need to "push" the paint into the track. If you spray and hold the can at say 45 degrees, you will find that you will only be covering one side of the peaks in the plastic. You would then need to reposition the track and apply more paint.. This roller method is the best way.. The foam roller is very important as well.

[@dirkwalther2354]

Kunststoffgrundierung vergessen!