Etch primer for brass models......which one is best?

Discussion in 'The Paintshop' started by Keith M, Jun 12, 2018.

  1. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    I'm about at the point of primer painting the tender of my BR/SR "Q" Class model, and I gather that ordinary primer doesn't adhere too well to brass, so I can't use my normal primer on the bare brass, although I understand it can be used on top of the acid etch primer after 24 hours. So, my question is, what do the other brass modelmakers use? I understand there are single pack types which have a limited shelf life of about 12 to 18 months from manufacture date, or two pack 'mix together' types which have a more or less unlimited shelf life when kept separate. As I'm not likely to have many brass models to paint in the future, the single pack type would probably be adequate for my needs as I should have the remaining kits I have, assembled ready for paint within a year or so, and obviously if it comes in a 'rattle can' that would be easier than having to also buy special thinners/cleaners if I were to use my airbrush to apply the primer. Suggestions/recommendations/idea's anyone???
    Keith.
     
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  2. jakesdad13

    jakesdad13 Staff Member Moderator

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    The only time I have seen etch primer used was on a Youtube video, the guy used Halfords own brand and it looked pretty good too!
    The model was a 00 steam tender loco, don't remember the type.

    Pete.
     
  3. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    I had a look through my existing paint stocks, as I normally use 'Auto Tek' acrylic car body primer (which is also suitable for plastic bodies) bought from our local 'Cheap shop' in Alfreton for £2.49 a large can, available in white, grey or red oxide, finish coat satin black from the same maker and shop at £2.99. Then I realised I also had a bottle of 'Vallejo' white primer for airbrush or brushing on.

    IMG_1247.jpg
     
  4. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    .......and then I turned the bottle round to read the label on the back and there it was......

    IMG_1248.jpg



    "Suitable for Plastic, Brass, Resin etc!"

    "Durrrrrr!":hammer::hammer::hammer:


    Keith.:giggle:
     
  5. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Hi Keith,

    I use Vallejo primer a lot but I have to say it isn't very robust on brass (it's fine on plastic kits).

    I would suggest that you get a can of Halfords grey primer and use that. I have quite a few brass kits that I primed with it and they have stood the test of time - I do paint over the top with Vallejo acrylics without issue once it's thoroughly dry.
     
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  6. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    Keith, I agree you are better off using Halfords grey primer sprayed over a slightly keyed surface. In the past I've used AutoTek Etch Primer and also Upol Acid 8 but these are expensive offerings and lay on too deep for our models, great on large objects like a car or in my case a bus :avatar: but not so good on models. Most of the chaps in our Club who paint their own loco's use Halfords own.
     
  7. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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  8. John Johnson

    John Johnson Full Member

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    Hello Keith. Thanks for your welcome message. I painted my David Andrews Stanier 2-6-4T last year and used Halfords etching primer. It went on well and took on Railmatch paints without problems. So I'll squirt the same on the 8F. Hope this helps.

    John J.
     
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  9. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    Mostly I just use Halfords grey primer as the base grab coat, their etching primer is good but I've found it can chip easily on corners and edges even after a three or four day drying period. It may surprise but when experimenting with Rust-Olium Painters Touch grey primer on my recent 2-6-2 tank build this gave an extremely high resistance to chipping... in fact on some test areas of scrap brass etch it was nigh on impossible to remove using the back edge of a Stanley blade without leaving traces of primer paint. So I'd say give the Rust-Olium a go some time but generally aim for the Halfords priming products, both Rust-Olium and Halfords will happily take Railmatch acrylic and enamel paints for sure.

    cheers York Paul
     

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