Painting brass

[FinnAndersen]

I've made a set of replacement undercarriage struts for my CMR 1/72 Spiteful using Brass sheet and tubing.

 

They need to be painted silver, but is there anything I need to be aware of? Cleaning? Primer?

 

TIA

Finn 

[Ade H]

For future reference, it helps a lot to slightly roughen the surface of metals before construction.* Other options:

- Burnishing fluid, followed by a dry wipe to remove the loose residue. If you do this after gluing, please test it first as I can't categorically say that it's perfectly safe. It probably is, but...

- Etching primer, such as Mr Hobby's product [whose name I've forgotten]. This is used after construction.

- Clean the finished parts with alcohol to remove your fingerprints before priming conventionally and handling gently.

 

* Also very helpful before super-gluing nickel-plated brass etch.

[Cromm Cruac]

I've made brass side skirts on my Panther. I've simply degreased them with alcohol and then followed the normal procedure for plastic - Vallejo primer, Vallejo paints, weathering etc.

[louiex2]

Model railroaders use white vinegar to etch brass. After rinsing the vinegar off a second rise with IPA will make sure the brass is completely clean and ready for primer. 

 

Lou in California

[dnl42]

I primarily use Mr Color with Mr Surfacer as my standard primer. I always clean parts with IPA before painting. Vinegar never worked for me, but Mr.Metal Primer does the trick. Brush it on, let dry, then prime and paint as normal. Et voilà!