etch primer for brass

I am getting to the stage where I have to start painting the loco that I am building. I have been persuaded that etch primers are the way to start off the painting process. Whilst I have had no problem sourcing a suitable etch primer for steel, the specifications of the primers that I have looked at seem to studiously avoid being described as suitable for brass. The sort of thing I mean is a general description such as ..."suitable for galvanised steel, steel and other bare metals." I also have a can of aluminium primer which seems to adhere well to brass that has been rubbed down with fine emery. There are other factors which make this a difficult subject to understand such as where manufacturers insist that their product will only work with their own primer/thinners/ topcoat etc. I have actually found one Google site which claims that whatever the claims, no etch primer will work on brass! Can anyone assist with the mystery that surrounds this subject.

Mick

This thread from a while ago might help. You might also have a look at Christopher Vine's book, there is lots of good advice there.

Russell.

Thanks Russell, I have read through the thread that you mention and I have bought Christopher Vine's book but apart from a fleeting mention I still cannot find anything referring specifically to brass.

Mick

Some years ago I corresponded with the Development Chemist for U-POL, Whilst they did not make a primer specifically for brass he did say that some users had success with abrading, cleaning and then using ACID#8 primer. I have used this successfully with steel, but as yet have not gone down the brass route.

Thanks Kwil. Acid#8 has been recommended to me as well and has good reviews. I am inclined to make the superstructure from steel but this still leaves the problem of the brass boiler cladding as well as other non ferrous bits such as cylinders. I am also building a Keith Cousins "Jersey Lily" from a kit which is about 95% brass. Mind you, my wife quite likes brass locos just polished up a bit so it might well stay that way.

Mick

The Acid 8 is quite a bit thicker than Precision paints etch when applied with an airbrush so bear that in mind if its a small loco as detail may be lost

I've used Acid 8 in an aerosol - the primer adhered very well to bronze, in fact I didn't bother to mask certain areas and have had a lot of trouble removing it. As Jason says, the product is quite thick and can cover up detail.

Although the product worked well, I found that the aerosol was difficult to use - the button was very stiff, almost 'all or nothing' and I didn't feel that I had control of the paint. I didn't find it possible to apply a mist coat, but then maybe I use an airbrush rather than an aerosol and obviously you can't compare the two. If anything, the can is too large and that makes it even more difficult to control. All in all, a good product but shame about the can. It's also expensive if you plan to use a lot of it.

Hope this helps.

Jason/Roger/KWIL.....any idea what the thinners is for Acid 8? Just thinking it might be feasible to take some from the aerosol, dilute a bit and then airbrush it. Yes/no?

Mick

Hi Mick - I have used Upol8 on brass with results I am happy with. You can get it in a litre tin - I know aerosols are convenient, but my litre tin has lasted well......plus you get much more control and less wastage with an airbrush.

Hi Mick

Had a look at their website and it appears to be available in 1 litre tins. Thin with alcohol up to 5% - sounds interesting.

Data sheet available at **LINK**  No mention of brass though, but as it's a 'bodyshop' product that may be why.  Not too many brass cars about.

If you decide to go down that route I'd be interested to know how you get on.

Good luck.

Edited By Roger Vane on 14/09/2013 18:30:54

Has anyone tried Hammerite Special Metals Primer ?

It specifically mentions Brass, and it's thinnable with water

I suspect that it's not very heat resistant ... but I would like to be wrong.

MichaelG.

Don't know if it's any good but, looking at the product safety sheet, it doesn't look as if it contains acid so it won't etch the surface.

Russell.

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Russell,

Quite so ...

Apologies if my post was too off-topic.

MichaelG.

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Edit: For my penance, let me offer this

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 15/09/2013 10:04:20

I have tried Hammerite Special Metal Primer and I was not impressed. Flaked off very easily.

Mick

Hi Mick,

I don't know if this would be of any use but a few years ago I puchased a boat for use on local river and I found this website for various paints inc metal primers.The guy I talked to I think was called Richard and was extremly helpful with what primer/topcat to use and advice on application. The paint has been very hardwaring and for the sake of a email they may have something that would be of use. Prices were also good.

No connection to the business just one satified customer.

www.smlmarinepaints,co.uk

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Thanks for the info.

... I thought their story must be too good to be true !

MichaelG.