I recently bought this brass model of a tank car. The factory finish is black, but I never paint anything black. The darkest color I use is on the little tank locomotive next to the tank car. A mixture of 4 parts black, 1 part white, and one part red.
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I just need to get a light coat of my "Dark Gray Black" finish over the factory black paint.
How should I clean the model? I do not want to submerge it, or even hold it under running water. I am not wanting to disassemble it to get any water out that intrudes into the tank.
My thought is to use CRC spray contact cleaner, trying it first in an unseen area.
Does anyone have a bette idea?
-Kevin
Living the dream.
It's obviously been handled, so at minimum, a scrub with some dish soap and hot water, then let dry (hair dryer can speed up that process). Even fingerprints you can't easily see may react to a new coat of paint.
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
Hi, Kevin
SeeYou190How should I clean the model?
I have a small mist sprayer with 99% isopropyl alcohol in it. I would spray this on liberally and work it into the crevices with a soft brush. Immediately set it onto lint-free paper towels. If you are concerned about water in the tank you could then mist it again with distilled water to rinse the alcohol and oils off.
If you take the trucks off you can place it in a warm oven (100-120°F) that will dry it out completely. I bake all my brass models after painting with Scalecoat.
IF there are no runs or drips in the factory paint, which may be lacquer, AND you are going to use decals on it why not use it as a base. It already looks glossy, good for decal adhesion.
Then use Dullcote or a matte finish which will give the finished model more of a charcoal-gray look.
I don't think the CRC would strip the paint. Lately I've been having good luck with Superclean. But if the model is all brass, you can use lacquer thinner (with the trucks off).
This B&O auxilliary tender was painted in Scalecoat I gloss black:
IMG_8504_fix by Edmund, on Flickr
After decaling and given a coat or two of Dullcote it has definitely taken on a look of charcoal, dark gray:
IMG_8556_fix by Edmund, on Flickr
Good luck, Ed
This looks like a factory painted PSC model. Usually pretty good paint on the ones I've seen.
The CRC should work, but don't let it set even if it tests OK.
Personally I'd use some dish soap and water, rinse thoroughly, maybe use distilled water if your tap water is crusty looking. Set your oven on its lowest setting (ours is 170 F) after checking for any plastic parts and an hour or so should ensure it's dry inside and out. But that may not be a comfortable thing to do, so understand your reluctance.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Mark R.Even fingerprints you can't easily see may react to a new coat of paint.
It was sealed when I got it, but then I handled it. It definitely has my finger oil on it now.
gmpullmanAfter decaling and given a coat or two of Dullcote it has definitely taken on a look of charcoal, dark gray:
I have noticed that Krylon Matt Finish "grays-out" black paint a lot more than the color shift I get with Testors #1260 Dullcoat. That might works, but I don't wnt to experiment on a brass model.
mlehmanThis looks like a factory painted PSC model. Usually pretty good paint on the ones I've seen.
It is a brass model by PSC, and the facotory paint job on this one is very good. I also have a red 10,000 gallon model that is not quite as well done, but still OK. That is why I am just going to put a light coat of my "black/gray" mix over the tank.
mlehmanPersonally I'd use some dish soap and water, rinse thoroughly, maybe use distilled water if your tap water is crusty looking....
I agree with Mike: using some fairly hot water and dish detergent, dip the car, minus its trucks, into the water, swish it around a few times, then take it out and rinse well under running water. Let it air-dry, sitting upright. Even if a little water has gotten inside, it should drain out through the screw holes for the trucks.
Wayne
All right, I am going to attempt to paint this freight car tomorrow, pending suitable airbrush weather.
I am goint to attempt a quick rinse with dish soap and water and a distilled water rinse.