Can MTL Delrin be painted? If yes, how?

[rogergperkins]

A few caboose projects have prompted me to paint end ladder assemblies for MTL cabooses yellow.
I am not satisfied with any of the attempts I have made.  I have used a microbrush and Model Master Acryl Insignia Yellow, but the paint does not adhere to the Delrin.

I wish we could get Shipsure's attention so MTL offer these parts in yellow.   

[sizemore]

Use Badger ModelFlex primer as a basecoat using an airbrush. Then a light coat of your desired color from PolyScale does the trick. While not bulletproof to crashes (read as any incident involving cars getting hit or toppled into the scenery/floor etc.), it stands up to normal operation/proper use and shifting using the ol' 0-5-0.

The S.

[wazzou]

Go to an auto paint store and get some of the stuff in a rattle can (have some @home will have to check later) that's used to spray on plastic bumpers or other parts that flex.
Many of the RC car guys use it on there car bodies prior to painting. 
I have used this on Atlas handrails, similarly constructed to MT with good success.

[Ian MacMillan]

Try Bulldog Plastic Adhesion Promoter. I found it at Walmart in the Automotive section. Its used to prep slick automotive plastics for paint. Works pretty well.

[wazzou]

After looking at my can when I got home, the stuff Ian mentions is exactly what I have.  It works well.

[Bendtracker1]

I can't remember what brand it is that I use, but I got it at the auto body supply shop.  I think I paid about $15-$17 for a 13oz rattle can.
I found a link online some time ago that mentioned this specific brand.  I loaned it to a friend so I don't have it in front of me at the moment.

The stuff seems to work extremely well.  The way I was told to use was to clean the parts with soap and water, let it dry then shoot the parts so that the entire surface is covered.  Put it on heavy enough that the surface is evenly wet but not so much that it runs or puddles.  Let the parts dry by evaporation, about 15-20 minutes.  Then shoot another lighter coat and let that dry.

After it dries, DO NOT touch it with your bare skin to avoid any oil residue.  Then paint the parts as normal.

I have painted several KATO and Atlas handrails with Floquil paints after using this stuff, all with good results.

If you really give the handrails a good bending it will flake off.  If you pick up the loco and bend the handrails a bit it doesn't seem to hurt the paint any.  From what I was told, it basically etches the surface of the plastic.

If you look at it with a magnifying glass, you can see cracks in the paint, but it hangs on.

Be sure to use it in well ventilated area away from open flames or sparks!
Hope that helps...


 

[JoeD]

Roger, contact me at Joe AT Micro-Trains.com   We have those parts in all sorts of colors.  I will check this am if we have them in yellow...we should.

Joe
MTL

A few caboose projects have prompted me to paint end ladder assemblies for MTL cabooses yellow.
I am not satisfied with any of the attempts I have made.  I have used a microbrush and Model Master Acryl Insignia Yellow, but the paint does not adhere to the Delrin.

I wish we could get Shipsure's attention so MTL offer these parts in yellow.   

[Rasputen]

I run mine through my abrasive blast cabinet before painting.  I then add a few drops of automotive flex additive to my Floquil lacquer.  This way I don't have to worry about matching colors.