Does anyone here paint their track with Vallejo Model Color or Model Air. I am having problems with it sticking to the rail and wonder if I should use a primer first.
Corsair,
There may be more forthcoming, but here are some questions that will be asked right away by others:
1) is your trackage new from the supplier (that is, has it been cleaned or may it still have residue from the manufacturing process)?
2) are you hand painting with a brush or have you masked the ties and are spraying?
3) have you thinned your paints and how?
Be ready to describe your process to the troops so they can nail down some probabilities.
It's likely not to be the brand of paint. For that matter, model paint may not be the only option. Seems that I've heard of tinting/coloring rail with other things than just paint.
John
I have airbrushed various airbrush-ready paint onto my Shinohara track with no issues. Once in a while I have had a problem with other things I have painted and realized a quick scrub in the sink with some dish soap was required. All the windows in my roundhouse had the paint fall off not long after it was put on, a little soak in the sink and the second go they are perfect. After a few projects you will be able to tell when something needs a bath first. When in doubt just wash or do a test paint on one piece.
I do remember reading on this very forum of members washing their track in the bathtub before painting.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
I find with that paint or any waterbased paint really. Cleaning first is a must. Soap and water if you can. But alcohol will do for things to big for the sink or to delicate, or things already down like track. Accetone (nail polish remover). Is better for cleaning metal. V Alleyjo does make a multi surface primer In different shades. Couldnt hurt to try it. What i havent done is mix it with a paint to see if it works that way.
Wolfie
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space
I am using PECO code 55 flex track. Never washed it. Put straight on the layout from the box.
Tried thinning with 70% IPA about 50:50 in the airbrush cup and mixed with a brush. Water didnt seem to work, the pigemnts seperated. Windex made the paint lighter and seperated looking. Did some searching and IPA with Vallejo doesnt seem to be a good match. Ordered some Vallejo thinner and flow improver.
I will be hand painting the sides of the rail with a lighter shade for some contrast after an overall coated of a black brown color.