6 replies to this topic

[GordonD]

As the subject line says, any tips on painting etched brass parts? Do I need a primer coat or will Humbrol rattlecan work straight away? I'm concerned about too many coats ruining the detail. The parts in question are the dishes from the Dragon Apollo high-gain antenna and I don't want to clog up the mesh.

[pigsty]

I would generally undercoat first. Harking back to my old figure-painting days, a quick coat of matt white usually suffices. Then apply top-coat(s) as thinly as you can. If you're worried about fine gaps clogging, the easiest thing is to blow the paint out of them before it dries.

[Shar2]

Wash the etch in soapy water and dry thouroughly then you shouldn't to prime or at least only a light coating.

[Ant]

I use a coat of acid etch primer to make sure the paint sticks (available from Halfords etc).

[flying tiger]

And a very good thing is to heat them with a lighter until they just turn yellow from the heat and then let them cool naturally.

[Harry Lime]

I just give mine a wipe with white spirit to clean up, then a quick coat of matt grey (either hairy stick or airbrush). After that, it's time to apply the top coat.

Mark.

[GordonD]

Thanks for all the tips. In the end I decided to go without the primer, and it seems to have worked okay - the dishes came out just as I'd hoped.