Painting Brass

[nberrington]

Hello all

I've just been watching a DVD by American modeller Jeff Johnston.
Oddly he doesn't seem to prime his brass models. He cleans his locos in laquer thinners (24hrs); vinegar (24hrs); then degreaser (10 mins and toothbrush) and then water.

Once dry he applies acrylic paint directly to the brass with an airbrush (no primer). Once dry he covers the model with an acrylic clear-coat.

I've e-mailed him to clarify if this works (the finish looks fantastic). Does anyone else actually do this? I fear it will wear off.

Regards

Neil B

[Jol Wilkinson]

I would think that both the thinners and the vinegar act as degreasers, anyway. The vinegar may slightly etch the surface of the brass, although phosphoric acid probably would also do that (Phosflux or Carr's Acidip).

Provided the paint adheres to the brass, then only handling would wear it. The final clear coat would help reduce that.

Jol