Tamiya Polish

A perfectly painted RC body is more than just an eye-catcher. It protects the material, highlights the model’s attention to detail, and ensures that your RC car still looks high-quality even after many runs. But even the best paint job loses its luster over time. Small scratches, fine scuff marks, or dull spots can result from driving, cleaning, or transport.

With the right Tamiya polish, you can significantly reduce these signs of wear. At the same time, you can visibly improve the gloss of your body and restore the clarity of transparent parts. Especially in the demanding world of RC model building, professional polishing is therefore one of the most important steps after painting or when maintaining high-quality models.

In this guide, you'll learn how to polish an RC body, the differences between polycarbonate and ABS, when to use which Tamiya polishing compound, and what mistakes to avoid while polishing. We'll also show you how to apply weathering effects professionally and then protect them permanently.

FAQ: The Most Important Questions About Tamiya Polish

Which Tamiya polish is best for scratches?

For deeper scratches and sanding marks,  Tamiya Polishing Compound Coarse is recommended. Follow up with  Fine and  Finish to restore the surface to a high gloss.

Can you polish a Lexan body?

Yes. Minor scratches on the exterior of a polycarbonate body can often be significantly reduced using a fine Tamiya polish. However, deep scratches cannot be completely removed.

Can clear coat be polished?

Yes. Once fully cured, clear coat can be polished to remove sanding marks, dust inclusions, or slight orange peel. You should always use a graded polishing sequence.

Does the RC body need to be cleaned before polishing?

Absolutely. Dirt, dust, or grease can cause additional scratches during polishing. Thorough cleaning is therefore always part of the preparation process.

Is Tamiya polish also suitable for ABS bodies?

Yes. Tamiya polish achieves excellent results, especially on painted ABS bodies, since it works on the paint or clear coat layer.

Can transparent plastic parts be polished?

Yes. The fine finish polish is ideal for reducing light scratches on windows, headlights, or other transparent plastic parts.

Should you use a polishing machine?

For RC bodies, hand polishing is generally recommended. Due to the thin material, machines can generate too much heat and damage the plastic or paint.

How often should you polish an RC body?

That depends on how often it’s used. Display models usually only need a touch-up occasionally, while heavily used vehicles can benefit from being polished again after several outings.

Why a High-Quality Tamiya Polish Makes All the Difference

A smooth surface reflects light more evenly than a scratched or matte finish. This creates a significantly deeper, more intense shine. At the same time, the entire body of the car looks higher-quality and better-maintained.

In addition to the aesthetic benefits, regular maintenance offers further advantages:

• Fine scratches are reduced

• Sanding marks disappear

• Clear coat regains its shine

• Dirt is easier to remove

• the surface stays in good condition longer

That’s why regular maintenance with Tamiya Polish is standard practice, especially for high-quality scale models, competition vehicles, or meticulously built show cars.

Not all RC bodies are the same

Before you start polishing, you should know what material your car’s body is made of. This determines which method is best and which products you should use.

Polycarbonate (Lexan)

Most modern RC vehicles have a body made of polycarbonate, which is often known in the model-making industry by the trade name Lexan.

This material offers numerous advantages:

• very low weight

• high impact resistance

• flexible

• ideal for racing

Polycarbonate bodies are painted on the inside with special PS paints. The outside remains transparent and protects the paint finish.

As a result, scratches occur directly on the outer polycarbonate surface. Minor signs of wear can often be significantly reduced by carefully polishing the Lexan. However, deep damage usually remains visible.

ABS body

ABS bodies are primarily found on high-quality scale models, trucks, or crawlers.

Unlike polycarbonate, ABS is:

• significantly stiffer

• highly detailed

• excellent for painting

• ideal for realistic models

Here, the body is painted on the outside and is often additionally sealed with clear coat.

That is exactly why Tamiya Polish is ideal for polishing clear coat, removing fine scratches, or restoring a perfect high gloss after wet sanding.

Proper Preparation Before Polishing

A perfect finish doesn't start with polishing—it starts with a clean surface.

During manufacturing, residues of release agents may remain on the plastic. In addition, dust, fingerprints, or grease residues can accumulate on the body during assembly.

If you polish directly on a dirty surface, fine particles of dirt can cause additional scratches.

Before using Tamiya polish, you should therefore follow these steps:

• Clean the body with lukewarm water

• Use a small amount of mild dish soap if necessary

• Then dry thoroughly

• Wipe the surface with a lint-free microfiber cloth

For polycarbonate, the  Tamiya Polycarbonate Body Cleaner is also suitable, as it was specifically developed for delicate plastic surfaces.

However, aggressive solvents such as acetone or strong thinners should not be used, as they can permanently damage plastics or cause stress cracks.

The Right Tamiya Polishes: How to Use Coarse, Fine, and Finish Correctly

A professional finish isn’t achieved with a single polish, but through several coordinated steps. That’s exactly why the Tamiya Polishing Compound System was developed.

The three variants—  Coarse,  Fine, and  Finish —have different abrasive effects and are used in sequence. The most important principle of polishing is:

First remove imperfections, then refine the surface, and finally maximize the shine.

If you start directly with a very fine polish, you’ll make little progress on deeper scratches. Conversely, a polish that’s too coarse can create unnecessary abrasion marks if it isn’t followed up with finer grades.

Tamiya Polishing Compound Coarse: The first step for deeper scratches

 Tamiya Polishing Compound Coarse is the coarsest-grit version in the system.

It is particularly suitable for:

• deeper scratches

• sanding marks left by wet sanding

• dull paint surfaces

• older or weathered paint finishes

• Unevenness after painting

When polishing RC car bodies, “Coarse” is primarily used when the surface is visibly damaged and needs to be smoothed out first.

Typical applications:

• Removing sanding marks left by 2000-grit sandpaper or finer

• Preparing a clear coat surface for further polishing stages

• Leveling out minor surface imperfections

Work should always be carried out with care. Applying too much pressure does not remove material any faster; it merely increases the risk of unevenly removing the surface material.

Tamiya Polishing Compound Fine: Refining the Surface

After the coarse sanding comes the medium stage.

 Tamiya Polishing Compound Fine removes the finer marks left behind by the Coarse compound. At the same time, the surface becomes significantly smoother and already takes on a visible sheen.

Fine is suitable for:

• light sanding marks

• fine scratches

• polishing marks left after using Coarse

• Preparation for high-gloss polishing

This step is especially important when polishing clear coat. After wet sanding or coarse polishing, Fine ensures that the surface is evenly prepared.

Tamiya Polishing Compound Finish: The Final Step to a High Gloss Finish

 Tamiya Polishing Compound Finish contains exceptionally fine abrasive particles and is intended for the final finishing touch.

It ensures:

• maximum shine

• Removal of the finest micro-scratches

• even light reflection

• a high-quality show car finish

On painted ABS body panels, the finish can make the difference between a good surface and a professional one.

This also applies to transparent plastic parts such as:

• windows

• headlights

• light covers

can also be carefully restored with this polish.

The Correct Order for Polishing an RC Car Body

Step 1: Cleaning

Before polishing, the surface must be free of dust, grease, and dirt.

Step 2: Remove Coarse Defects

For more severe damage:

 Use Tamiya Polishing Compound Coarse

.

Step 3: Smooth the surface

Next:

 Use Tamiya Polishing Compound Fine

.

Step 4: Create a high gloss

Finally:

 Use Tamiya Polishing Compound Finish

.

This sequence prevents unnecessary sanding marks and ensures an even finish.

How to Apply Tamiya Polish Correctly: Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the right tools

For a clean hand polish, you’ll need:

•  a soft microfiber cloth

•  polishing pads or cotton cloths

• a clean work surface

• sufficient lighting for inspection

If possible, use a separate cloth for each polishing stage. This prevents coarser abrasive particles from getting back onto the finer surface.

2. Use a small amount of polish

A common mistake when polishing is using too much product.

A small amount is usually sufficient.

Polish doesn’t become more effective with more product; rather, it works through controlled motion and the fine abrasive particles.

3. Apply even pressure

The best results are achieved with:

• light to moderate pressure

• slow movements

• cross-shaped polishing motions

Don’t work frantically. Patience is especially crucial when polishing Lexan, as polycarbonate is more sensitive to heat and pressure.

Can you polish RC car bodies with a machine?

In principle, machine polishing is possible, but in RC model building it is recommended only with great caution.

The reason:

RC bodies are often made of thin plastic. Unlike vehicle paint jobs in the automotive industry, there is significantly less material available here.

Possible risks:

• Overheating

• Deformation

• Over-polished paint

• visible holograms

For most applications, high-quality hand polishing with Tamiya Polish is the safer method.

Polishing Clear Coat: How to Achieve a Perfect Finish

Clear coat plays an important role, especially on a painted ABS body or a scale model.

Clear coat protects:

• the paint layer

• decals

• weathering effects

• the surface

Once fully cured, clear coat can be polished.

The typical procedure:

1. Let the clear coat dry completely

2. Inspect the surface

3. If necessary, wet-sand very lightly

4. Start with Coarse (if necessary)

5. Refine with "Fine"

6. Polish to a high gloss with "Finish"

Important:

Not every clear coat needs to be polished. A cleanly applied high-gloss finish can already be very smooth without any additional finishing.

Avoiding Common Mistakes When Polishing

Too Much Pressure

More pressure does not automatically mean a better result.

Excessive pressure can:

• damage the plastic

• Alter paint layers

• Generate heat

Use a polish that is too coarse

If the surface is already smooth, you should not use the coarse polish unnecessarily.

Coarse polish is a tool for correction, not for daily maintenance.

Using dirty cloths

A single speck of dust can cause new scratches during polishing.

Therefore, always use clean cloths and store polishing materials separately.

Sealing Too Early

After polishing, the surface should be free of residue.

Only then should a sealant or protective product be applied.

RC Car Care After Polishing

A well-maintained surface stays beautiful longer.

After use, we recommend:

• Carefully remove coarse dirt

• Do not use harsh cleaners

• Store the vehicle in a dry place

• Remove fingerprints with a soft cloth

Regular maintenance reduces the need for frequent, intensive polishing.

This is especially true in RC model building: A well-maintained body requires fewer repairs and retains its high-quality appearance longer.

The Right Combination of Polish, Weathering, and Protection

Not every RC car is meant to look like a brand-new car. In modern model building, there are various styles.

While competition cars often have a perfect high-gloss finish, scale models thrive on realistic signs of wear and tear.

That’s why the choice of finish should always match the model:

• Show car → High-gloss finish with Tamiya polish and wax

• Crawler → Matte finish with weathering

• Rally model → Dirt, dust, and paint chips

• Classic car model → Patina and realistic aging

The right combination of Tamiya polish, weathering techniques, and sealant allows you to achieve virtually any look you want.

Weathering with Tamiya: Realistic Signs of Wear for RC Models

A perfectly polished surface isn’t always the goal. Especially in RC model building—with scale crawlers, rally cars, or military models—the focus is often on creating the most realistic appearance possible.

A brand-new vehicle often looks less authentic than a model with realistic signs of wear. Dust, mud, rust, oil stains, or slight paint chips tell a story and give the RC car significantly more character.

While Tamiya polish is primarily used for glossy surfaces and bodywork maintenance, weathering techniques are employed when a realistic aging effect is desired.

Tamiya Weathering Master: Realistic Weathering Without Exaggeration

For professional weathering effects, Tamiya offers special Weathering Master Sets. These differ significantly from traditional pastel chalks found in art supply stores.

The advantages of Tamiya Weathering Master products:

• Easy to use

• Controllable paint application

• Good adhesion to model surfaces

• realistic pigment effect

• Suitable for plastic, paint, and matte surfaces

The pigments contained in the product can be used to depict various materials:

• Dust on car bodies and chassis

• Rust on metal parts

• Oil stains

• Brake dust

• Traces of mud

• Heat marks on exhaust systems

Especially when combined with a carefully prepared surface, this creates a very realistic overall impression.

How to Apply Weathering Correctly

The most important principle of weathering is:

Less is more.

Many beginners apply too much material. This quickly makes the model look artificial. Realistic weathering is achieved by applying several thin layers that are built up gradually.

A typical procedure:

1. Clean the surface

2. Apply basic effects with weathering pigments

3. Highlight details such as edges, recesses, and transitions

4. Check the result

5. Seal carefully if necessary

Choosing the right surface is particularly important. Matte and satin-finish surfaces generally absorb pigments better than high-gloss finishes.

Dust and Dirt Effects on RC Crawlers and Rally Models

With off-road vehicles, dirt and grime don't accumulate randomly, but follow specific patterns.

Realistic areas for dust and dirt include:

• Wheel wells

• Underbody

• Side sills

• Rear body panels

• Areas behind the wheels

A common mistake is to cover the entire body with an even layer of dirt. In reality, however, dirt accumulates to varying degrees.

A realistic look is achieved by:

• darker areas in low-lying spots

• lighter dust effects on horizontal surfaces

• heavier dirt buildup near the wheels

Tamiya Chipping Liquid: Creating Realistic Paint Chips

A particularly effective technique in RC model building is simulating paint chipping.

With  Tamiya Chipping Liquid, you can simulate damage caused, for example, by:

• rock chips

• Scratches

• Aging

• rugged off-road use

.

Unlike painted-on scratches, this process creates a genuine layered texture, making the effects look much more natural.

How to Use Tamiya Chipping Liquid

The process involves applying several coats of paint.

Step 1: Apply the base coat

First, apply the color that will later be visible beneath the damaged topcoat.

Examples:

• Silver for bare metal

• Rust brown for older steel surfaces

• Dark primer for used vehicles

This coat must dry completely.

Step 2: Apply the chipping liquid

Next, apply the Chipping Liquid evenly.

The amount applied will determine the final effect:

• thin layer → minor signs of wear

• thicker layer → larger chips in the paint

Step 3: Apply the topcoat

Once the  chipping liquid has dried, apply the actual vehicle paint.

This topcoat should be applied evenly, but not unnecessarily thick.

Step 4: Create paint chips

After a short drying time, work the surface with a slightly damp brush.

The moisture reactivates the underlying chipping layer, allowing for the controlled removal of the top coat of paint.

Suitable tools:

• fine brush

• old bristle brush

• wooden stick

• sponge

This creates natural chips of various sizes and shapes.

Combining Tamiya Polish and Weathering

Both techniques can be used together.

Examples:

Realistic rally car

• Glossy base coat

• Light application of Tamiya polish for a clean finish

• Weathering for dust and signs of wear

• Matte clear coat to finish

Scale crawler

• Realistic paint job

• Chipping effects

• Dirt pigments

• Matte sealant

Show car

• Perfect paint job

• Polishing clear coat

• Tamiya Polish Finish

• Wax for protection

The technique always depends on the desired character of the model.

The Right Sealant After Polishing and Weathering

After surface treatment, the result should be protected. However, the right sealant depends heavily on the desired finish.

Protecting a High-Gloss Finish: Wax for Polished Car Bodies

For glossy RC models, you can use model-making wax.

Advantages:

• Improves the smoothness of the surface
• reduces dirt buildup
• makes cleaning easier
• protects against fingerprints

After using a high-quality Tamiya polish, wax can further enhance the shine.

Protecting Against Weathering: Matte Clear Coat Instead of Wax

For older models, however, wax is not the right choice.

The reason:

Wax can alter the matte finish and cause pigments to shift in some areas.

For weathered surfaces, the following is more suitable:

• matte clear coat

• satin clear coat

• very thin layers of spray

It’s important to apply it carefully.

Applying too much clear coat at once can:

• dissolve pigments

• Alter the effects

• Seal in dirt patterns

Applying several thin layers yields a significantly better result.

Long-Term Care of an RC Car Body

A high-quality paint job and a professional Tamiya polish will last longer if the body is properly maintained.

Recommended:

• Remove coarse dirt after driving

• Do not use harsh cleaners

• Use soft microfiber cloths

• Store the body in a dry place

• Avoid unnecessary friction

Regular maintenance is especially important for scale models, as small details and surface textures define the character of the vehicle.

A Professional Finish in RC Model Building

A perfect finish isn't achieved through a single step, but through the combination of various techniques:

• thorough knowledge of materials

• thorough cleaning

• carefully selected Tamiya polish

• controlled polishing

• appropriate weathering techniques

• Appropriate sealing

Whether it’s a high-gloss show model or a realistic off-road crawler: With the right methods, any RC body can be significantly enhanced.