Airbrushing.... my journey from Enamels to acrylics... so far

[John TAYLOR]

The only real issue I have, which you are in the process of addressing, is the adhesion to brass. I have so far stayed with an aerosol of self-etch primer, then sprayed on top.

Watching with interest.

Yes John, like you I`ve always done the same with brass and have relied on Closterman rattle can etch primer but recently have tried Upol in a failed attempt to escape the new style spray can nozzles which are now predominantly fan cap design to give an enormous wide and flat spray angle that gives very awkward coverage on model loco`s.


I have forgotten to mention that this whole enterprise of mine was influenced by Hatchette`s O Gauge Build The Mallard Partwork Kit.

As many will know , all the brass and alloy parts were sprayed with a lacquer primer so that anyone out in the non modelling world could assemble the kit entirely with superglue.

I have built this kit as a soldered construction and I can tell you that the lacquer primer was a s*d to remove easily . After a lot of experimentation ,including my wife`s nail varnish remover, it turned out to be Wilko`s paint remover that stole the show in removing the lacquer without destroying the many delicate parts...... and that needed at least one hour of soaking.

.... and so, I`m hoping to emulate the effect on brass.....

 

[John TAYLOR]

Well, not particularly scientific but nevertheless some encouragement.

The brass sheet shows good paint adhesion overall.



At the top is scratchings from a coin. Middle area is P180 abrasive sheet rubbings . Bottom is a sharp edged metal object.

The left side has the etched primer first coat but overall the second coat polyurethane primer shows equal strength to me.

I`m more inclined to think that quality products have better adhesion.

More interestingly, cleaning the wheel treads was as difficult as the traditional acid etch primer first coat and despite using an abrasive sheet there are the usual primer remnants.....



I feel encouraged to continue with airbrushing the loco with my chosen products......

 

[timbowales]

Re quality products having better adhesion the old adage is true in that you get what you pay for

 

[simond]

the old adage is true in that you get what you pay for

I suspect it’s truer to say that you don’t get what you don’t pay for, but I may be too cynical by far.

 

[Chuffer]

Just a thought - have you tried cellulose thinners on a cotton bud to wipe the wheel treads clean? I find this will remove most paints from metal surfaces.

 

[John TAYLOR]

Just a thought - have you tried cellulose thinners on a cotton bud to wipe the wheel treads clean? I find this will remove most paints from metal surfaces.

Thanks Chuffer, I`ll give the cellulose thinners a try for the final tidy up. I wanted to assess the paint adhesion on the wheel treads with the acrylic products first.