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Does brass require any special prep prior to painting or "take" one type of paint (e.g., water- or oil-based) better than another?  I've never used brass before and am expecting delivery of Tomar's Hayes bumpers soon.  If yes on either or both counts, details appreciated.

Thanks.
Hi Seamus,

IIRC:

A good wash with dish soap and a gentle scrub to get everything clean. Then soak in white vinegar to lightly etch the surface of the brass. Then rinse away the vinegar with distilled water for a pristine clean surface that your primer has something to bite onto.
Many thanks, Ron! Simple enough.
Don't forget to use nitrile gloves or similar to prevent body oils from contaminating the surface.

Tom
(03-07-2019, 02:12 PM)FiatFan Wrote: [ -> ]Don't forget to use nitrile gloves or similar to prevent body oils from contaminating the surface.

Tom

Tom,

Are those the customary rubber gloves available in a pharmacy or hardware store?  Or, do I have to raid my old medical school for a set?!  Big Grin
Yeah, just the run of the mill gloves.  When I was raiding dorms it wasn't for gloves! Eek Goldth

Tom
I prefer on brass to use a lacquer primer if finish coat is acrylic .
Unless it's very old brass or you've stripped it, most brass nowadays has been painted with brass-coloured paint.  If you're not doing any modifications, such as adding detail parts that are not brass, and therefore a different colour, a thorough wash with dish detergent, followed by a good rinse should be sufficient. 
You could still use primer, of course, and I would suggest it if you add such detail parts, but the brass coloured paint itself can act as a primer.


Wayne
(03-08-2019, 10:33 AM)doctorwayne Wrote: [ -> ]Unless it's very old brass or you've stripped it, most brass nowadays has been painted with brass-coloured paint.  If you're not doing any modifications, such as adding detail parts that are not brass, and therefore a different colour, a thorough wash with dish detergent, followed by a good rinse should be sufficient. 
You could still use primer, of course, and I would suggest it if you add such detail parts, but the brass coloured paint itself can act as a primer.


Wayne

And what detail parts would those be that one would add to bumper posts?
(03-08-2019, 11:02 AM)Seamus O'Leary Wrote: [ -> ]And what detail parts would those be that one would add to bumper posts?

What? You're using them straight out-of-the-box?  Are they not already pre-painted with brass-coloured paint?  Do they come with nut/bolt/washer detail?  Or weld beads?  My word!  The quality of items they're offering nowadays is shocking!  Icon_e_surprised Misngth Icon_lol

My advice regarding the painting of brass is exactly that...obviously, ignore the parts which don't apply to your situation. 


Personally I went with the Walthers version, assembling them, then a wash and rinse, air dry, then air brushed, no primer required.  Also, no need to isolate the rails, where the bumper is located, from the rest of the track.

[Image: Walthersbumper048.jpg]

[Image: Walthersbumper044.jpg]

[Image: Walthersbumper046.jpg]

[Image: Walthersbumper050.jpg]

[Image: Walthersbumperr049.jpg]

I do hope that you'll share some photos, though, as I'm curious to see them.


Wayne
(03-07-2019, 10:37 AM)Seamus O'Leary Wrote: [ -> ]Does brass require any special prep prior to painting or "take" one type of paint (e.g., water- or oil-based) better than another?  I've never used brass before and am expecting delivery of Tomar's Hayes bumpers soon.  If yes on either or both counts, details appreciated.

Thanks.

Are you talking about this bumper?

[attachment=30401]

I painted mine just like I painted the rails. A simple coat of acrylic paint without primer.  if the paint ever chips, you can touch up with a brush.  I would certainly avoid this technique on a brass loco though.