Painting White Metal Parts

[Vaughan]

Hi All

I've tried to spray the white metal under carriage of the Sturmovik that I'm building. I used Vallejo model air paint which seems to go on fine but it doesn't matter how long you leave the paint to cure when handled the paint just rubs off. The White metal has been cleaned to remove all grease but the paint doesn't seem to stick. Any suggestions please.

Vaughan

[AlanG]

Thought you had to paint the white metal with a primer before using 'normal' paint on it?

[Guest]

Yup you need a primer before trying to attach acrylic to white metal.

[Guest]

Alternative Vaughan is to try either Vallejo Satin or Matt varnish. All the varnishes have a great stickability especially if you forget to wash or do not wash well the airbrush.

Laurie

[Guest]

or use the bird grit method. I've never primed white metal or lead parts since I started using it.

[Guest]

A time ago I start a figure of white metal. First I painted everything with primer. Even it's not finished, but there is no problem in painting with acrylic or oils later.

Regards

[Vaughan]

Thanks for the advice chaps, sprayed the parts with vallejo surface primmer which is poly/acrylic and it seems to have done the trick

Vaughan

[Guest]

I use the Tamiya white primer and so far it works ok

[Centurion3RTR]

or use the bird grit method

I may be a little thick here but whats the bird grit method Colin?

[Ian M]

Bung all the bits in a plastic box with a couple of handfulls of budgie grit and put the lid on the give it a gentle shake for a couple of minuets. sift all the parts out of the sand and ta daaaaaa sand blasted bits.

Ian M

[Guest]

John it has been named as GritColin after Colin CDW the instigator of this very useful method.

Unfortunately as yet I believe he has not made a cent out of it.

Awful shame.

Laurie

[Centurion3RTR]

I can be thick at times, it's was obvious and i didn't see it hno:. Great idea, going to give it a go.

Have fun, John

[Guest]

"Gritcolin" ....I still chuckle at that Laurie

Anyway John ... yes it does work .. very well in fact. .... a few things it is great at is white metal parts, lead figures, any plastic figures or fine/small/odd shaped parts you've built and they need a fine sanding whilst keeping all the detail.......

.............and the lastest one .... those horrible band type armour tracks that have that real shiney surface that no weathering wash (acrylic or oil) will stick to .... five minutes shaking in a jar of grit and they come out lovely and have a "road worn" look to them (i reference my Korean K1-A1 build (modern armour GB) for an example)