Painting brass locos

[HemiAdda2d]

What do I need to know about painting brass? I've never done it. Do they need primed with a special primer, do they need baked? Pre-paint prep?

[Dee Das]

http://members.aol.com/backshop/paint.html

[r_i_straw]

It is very important that it is very clean. No skin oils or finger prints at all. I always use latex gloves to handle the parts after they have been thoroughly cleaned with soap and water. Sometimes you need to soak the brass in a mild acid, something like vinegar to give the surface a flat finish or "tooth" for the paint to adhere to. Otherwise it tends to flake off. Solvent based paints work best. Acrylics will not bond well with brass.

[HemiAdda2d]

Wow, that guy is expensive--but his site shows the level of attention-to-detail he pours into a model. Thanks for sharing!

[Wolfgang Dudler]

For my ELNA ELNA (http://www.westportterminal.de/nau_elna.html) I've used a primer from the automobile stores. And I had the engine half an hour at 80°C, 180°F in the oven.
http://www.westportterminal.de/nau_ELNA/P6281487.jpg

Wolfgang

[skipgear]

The best prep I have found so far is straight Simple Green. It will remove any tarnish and leave a very clean surface. I then rinse with water, distilled is best, then let it dry. I paint with arylics and haven't had too much of an issue with paint coming off. The only thing I have noticed is on the edges of walkways on steam loco's where they get handled a lot the paint is rubbing through, not so much flaking off.