Model Forum / General / Models / February 2010

I find Jasco metal prep indispensable. It puts a light etch, removes
oxidation, and leaves a dull layer on the metal that inhibits further
rust or corrosion. Just swab it on w/ a Q-tip and rinse.

Cheers,
Dave Ambrose

OOPs meant to sent to the whole group,

Craig,

Whole books written on this. The older figures had lead and when painted
with artists oils - chemical reactions turned the figures to white dust.
Finally primers  where introduced to prevent this. Today's figures are
different but in general are primed before painting. Typically I will
assemble and file the figure as required to remove seams, smootth filings
etc. Then wash with thinner to get any skin oils, remaining mold release
off. Also clean mold release before assembling, epoxy or crtazy glue. I then
spray a coat of Floquil primer and let the figure dry for about a week. I
use washes of artists oils to  paint and shade etc. Some paint in acrylic
sets, other paint in acrylics then highlight and shade with artists oil -
among other techniques. Again there are whole books on techniques.

                   Val Kraut

   I think we've all had the experience of cleaning up a figure, applying
the primer and finding a rough spot, thin seam or other problem that had to
be filed, filled or whatever and then reprimed.  I like to let the final
primer cure completely for a week before commencing. I also use different
primers for different final effects - normallly a light gray, but if I want
a bright look like fancy dress uniforms I prime with Reefer white. Some
colors like yellow have poor coverage - so in onme case a oversprayed the
yellow area in reefer yellow then proceeded with the brush painting after it
dried for a week.

                                                                           
                           Val Kraut

The low temp casting metals (frequently called white metal) do hold on
to oils (including fingerprints) pretty well, so they must be cleaned
well before priming. I use either Krylon or Rust-0-leum primer.  Then
they finish normally.  These castings can also be polished with metal
polish for a good "polished metal" appearance but they then dull
rapidly. A clear lacquer or polyurethane coating, however, does hold the
shine.