Tru-Color paints and Brass

[bman]

So I've heard a lot of good things about Tru-Color paints.  I've not tried them yet as I had plenty of Polyscale.  Keyword being HAD.  So to add having to look for more paint, I've some brass to paint.  So has anyone tried Tru-Color on brass yet?  My LHS has a nice selection and the colors I would need including their primer.  Just curious if anyone has tried it yet.  Thanks

[C855B]

I could easily be enlightened otherwise, but I'm not sure the Tru-Color "primer" is a true primer. I have it, but in use it is no different than their other paints in (apparent) tack or tooth, or anything else you would expect of a primer. I think is just a primer color - a dark one at that - and not something to condition a surface for other finishes. The primer color is so dark it can't be used alone under reds or yellows; I had to use their white to prepare for these transparent colors.

As to brass, I don't know firsthand, but a brass project is on my short list. Let us know how you fare if you try it.

[peteski]

The manufacturer themselves (as expected) recommends using their primers. Quote from http://trucolorpaint.com/color-charts/chemistry/

To insure proper adhesion for plastic models – wash the model in mild soapy water to remove residual processing oils and dirt, rinse thoroughly with clean water and let dry or use a lint free cloth to dry. It is now ready to be painted. For metal models (brass for example), sand blast or treat the metal surface in some fashion to give Tru-Color Paint a prepared surface to adhere to. Then use our Primer, Tru-Color Paint 007 or 256, and spray paint the model, allow sufficient drying time and then paint the model with the desired color(s).
(Yes, they for some reason use uppercase letters and a hard to read font). 

But in real life you will encounter modelers using all sorts of techniques. Primer is always a good idea when the model surface is made up from different materials as it creates a uniform base color and texture for the top coat.  Primer is pretty much necessary when painting a light color over darker surface.  I prefer using Tamiya brand fine surface  primer. Like Mike I'm not sure if there is anything special about Tru-Color primer or is it just one of their regular gray-color paints.  There are also self-etching primers out there supposedly to better adhere to metal.

But using primer adds thickness to the overall thickness of the paint finish which is very undesirable in small scale models (like N scale).  I avoid using primers as much as I can (to minimize the thickness of my paint jobs).  I have not yet used Tru-Color directly on well prepared brass surface but I have done that with the discontinued AccuPaint (which is supposedly almost identical).

I would say that to be safe take a piece of brass sheet, prepare it for painting (degrease ot and you can even etch it in vinegar) then shoot some Tru-Color paint over it and see how well it adheres.

[u18b]

I use an air eraser (micro sandblaster) for brass prep. 
Degrease, then tricolor right on it.   No primer.

One problem I had with trucolor is thinning.  Do NOT thin w acetone.  I use lacquer thinner (when needed).

[peteski]

I use an air eraser (micro sandblaster) for brass prep. 
Degrease, then tricolor right on it.   No primer.

One problem I had with trucolor is thinning.  Do NOT thin w acetone.  I use lacquer thinner (when needed).

Excellent advice!  I'll go one step further and recommend thinning with the actual Tru-Color thinner.  Yes, it is more expensive than lacquer thinner but it has a perfect blend of solvents needed for that paint. Why ruin a paint job on a custom model with dozens of hours spent on it.  It doesn't take much thinner to do the job. Honestly I don't see skimping couple of bucks on a paint job for a one-of-a-kind or very rare and pricey) model!    Yes, by all means, use lacquer thinner for cleaning the airbrush, but use the right solvent for the job! 

[bman]

I wasn't surprised when I read they suggested using their primer.  I would have been surprised if they hadn't suggested using it.  I did buy a piece of brass to test paint on a while back.  I'll have to locate it.   I do believe one one of our club members has an air eraser.  Might be time to buy him some pizza for time invovled.  Thanks for the quick replies.  I think I'll give Tru-Color a go.

[coosvalley]

I use vinegar to clean and "etch" brass before painting, seems to work well with Tru color/Accupaint. I will also say use lacquer thinner, NOT acetone....I've never used the recommended thinner!...

[sd45elect2000]

I painted a brass Illinois Terminal interurban with Tru Color Mandarin orange and Terra cotta without primer using lacquer thinner with good results.

Randy