In This Article
Finished in Diamond Red
This RC car body came to life in Diamond Red — a translucent diamond pearl that flips red and bronze in the sun — run light over a metallic base, it reads as a soft champagne-pink pearl across the body. The whole thing was sprayed with the same Diamond Red vehicle paint kit we ship to every customer: DTM primer-sealer for the black ground coat, the Diamond Red basecoat, and HS Glamour clearcoat over the top.
Here is how the finish came together — the prep, the products, and the steps to chase the same look on your own project.
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Download the Free PDF →Meet the Builder: RC Car Build
This build ran the full Alpha Automotive Paint system end to end — no shop-only products, no shortcuts. The system is DTM primer-sealer, Diamond Red basecoat, and HS Glamour clearcoat, plus urethane reducer, HS activator, and the TSS cheat sheet to keep the ratios straight. The Diamond Red vehicle paint kit you would buy is the exact kit sprayed here.
The Color: Why Diamond Red?
Diamond Red is a single-pigment translucent diamond pearl that sparkles a vibrant red and maroon with bronze hues in the sun, and nearly disappears in the shade. Over black it flips black-to-red; over a lighter base it ghosts to a soft champagne-pink.
Diamond Red is built to spray over a black ground coat for a full red flip, or as a light ghost over any other base. Over its recommended black ground coat, Diamond Red delivers full coverage and reads at its cleanest, showing the shift exactly the way it was designed to.
Risk-Free
See Diamond Red in person — risk-free.
Return the painted samples for store credit toward your paint.
Shop the Diamond Red Sample →Every Way to Get Diamond Red
Whether you're painting a full vehicle, a motorcycle, a guitar, or just touching up with a spray can — Diamond Red is available for every project size. Each kit includes matched products sized for the job.
Diamond Red Vehicle Paint Kit
$560.93 USD
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Diamond Red Paint Basecoat Midcoat
From$13.99 USD
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Diamond Red Spray Can Midcoat
From$33.99 USD
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Diamond Red Motorcycle Paint Kit
From$321.65 USD
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Diamond Red Bike Paint Kit
From$173.70 USD
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Diamond Red Guitar Paint Kit
From$104.72 USD
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Diamond Red Wheel Paint Kit
From$308.91 USD
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Diamond Red Brake Caliper Paint Kit
From$126.71 USD
Shop Now💡 Pro Tip
Diamond Red’s look is all about load — keep the coats light and even for a champagne-pink ghost over a metallic base, or build over black for a deeper red flip.
What's Inside the Vehicle Paint Kit
These are all the products included in the Diamond Red Full Vehicle Paint Kit. Every product is already matched and compatible — no hunting across brands, no guessing on ratios.
DTM Primer-Sealer (AP-7541) — The black ground coat Diamond Red is built on. AP-7541 DTM primer-sealer lays a uniform, opaque foundation so the pearl reads at full strength.
Diamond Red Basecoat — Diamond Red basecoat is the color coat itself, mixed 1:1 with Alpha urethane reducer and laid over the ground coat.
HS Glamour Clear (AC-4521) — AC-4521 HS Glamour clearcoat buries the color in gloss and locks in UV and chip protection.
Alpha Urethane Reducer (AR-3000 Series) — Alpha urethane reducer thins the basecoat to a spray-ready 1:1 ratio for even, controlled coats.
HS Activator (AH-7100 Series) — AH-7100 HS activator catalyzes the HS Glamour clear so it cures hard, clear, and durable.
TSS Cheat Sheet — The TSS cheat sheet keeps every mix ratio and flash window in front of you for the whole job.
Optional Add-Ons
The vehicle paint kit has everything you need to go from prepped surface to finished paint. But depending on where your project is starting, these add-on bundles can save time and money on the prep and masking side:
Bodywork Bundle
$175.00
Body filler, abrasives, and everything for panel repair. Ideal if your project needs dent or rust repair before paint.
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Light Bodywork Bundle
From $92.99
Dolphin Glaze finishing putty and OptiGrit sanding abrasives. Perfect for filling pinholes, minor scratches, and light surface imperfections.
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Mask & Mix Bundle
$75.00
Mixing cups, strainers, masking tape, and masking paper. Everything you need for clean, precise masking and easy paint mixing.
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Linear Blocking Tools Starter Set
From $236.50
CNC-cut polycarbonate sanding blocks with lifetime warranty. Produces perfectly flat, straight panels for a professional finish.
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OptiGrit PSA Sandpaper Bundle
$64.99
Complete PSA sandpaper set in 80, 180, 220, and 320 grit. The full grit progression for blocking and prep, sized for long boards.
Shop NowThe Complete DIY Process
Step 1: Prep & Scuff
A clean, even finish starts with the surface underneath. Knock the sheen off and level the piece with OptiGrit abrasives, then clean it down before a single coat goes on. Skip this and Diamond Red will telegraph every flaw.
Step 2: DTM Primer-Sealer (Black Ground Coat)
A black ground coat of DTM primer-sealer is the foundation this color was built on — it delivers the uniform, full-coverage base the pearl needs to read at its cleanest. Lay it even and let it flash before color.
Step 3: Diamond Red Basecoat
Diamond Red basecoat mixes 1:1 with Alpha urethane reducer and builds in smooth, even coats until the shift comes up evenly across the whole piece. Let each coat flash — patience here is what keeps the pearl deep instead of blotchy.
Step 4: HS Glamour Clearcoat
HS Glamour clearcoat, catalyzed with HS activator, is where the depth comes alive — it locks the color under a wet, glassy gloss and adds the UV and chip protection.
Step 5: Cut & Buff
Once the clear is fully cured, a light cut with fine OptiGrit and a buff brings it to a mirror. Keep the TSS cheat sheet handy so no ratio or flash window gets rushed.
Ready to Paint Your Own Build?
Everything used here — DTM primer-sealer (your black ground coat), ready-to-spray Diamond Red basecoat, HS Glamour clearcoat, reducer, activator, and cheat sheet — in one kit.
Build Your Diamond Red Kit — $560.93 USDLooking for a different color or kit size? Browse all car kits →
See It in Action
TSS painting tutorials and kit walkthroughs — the answers we get asked most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Diamond Red is a translucent diamond pearl. Over a black ground coat it flips from black to a vibrant red with bronze hues in the sun. Run lightly over a lighter base, it ghosts to a soft champagne-pink pearl — which is the look on this RC body.
Both, depending on load. Diamond Red works as a subtle ghost over any base color, or heavier over black for a fuller red flip. The Diamond Red vehicle paint kit ships with the black DTM primer-sealer so you can dial the effect in.
Yes — Diamond Red is available in an aerosol spray can for touch-ups and small parts, matched to the same pearl used on the full build.
Every Product Used in This Build
Diamond Red Vehicle Paint Kit
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Diamond Red Paint Basecoat Midcoat
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DTM Primer-Sealer AP-7541 Kit | Alpha Automotive Paint
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HS Glamour Clearcoat AC-4521 Kit | Alpha Automotive Paint
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Urethane Reducer AR-3000 Series | Alpha Automotive Paint
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HS Activator AH-7100 | Alpha Automotive Paint
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Clearance & Flash Sales
Discounted kits, closeout colors, and flash deals — check back often, these move fast.
Shop Current Sales →Huge thanks for running the system as designed and turning out one of the cleanest Diamond Red body finishes we have seen. This is exactly what these kits were built for.
Stay connected with the TSS paint community: follow tutorials and color reveals on YouTube, short-form builds on TikTok and Instagram, and join the Facebook community group.
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