What's the best paint for Lifelike Northeastern caboose handrails and grabirons? Will Tamiya polycarbonate paint damage the pieces?
Thanks for your help,
Jeff
I recall doing some TrueLine cabooses that had such details made from engineering plastic, and read that Tamiya paint would adhere to it fairly well. I don't recall if I mixed the needed colour from Tamiya paints, or simply used it as a primer, then applied Pollyscale paint over it. I've also read that the paint, made for use on radio-controlled automobiles made of similar materials, works well.
I dug-up some photos of those cabooses, and now recall that I did over-paint the Tamiya, mainly because I was more familiar with Pollyscale paint, and could more easily mix a matching colour...
The issue with the cabooses was that the end railings and other details were done with engineering plastic, coloured supposedly to match the paint on the styrene bodyshells. It wasn't a very good match. The paint has stood up very well, although most of my cabooses stay on the layout, so are seldom handled or put in their boxes.
Wayne
Your local autozone or similar auto parts store has Adhesion Promoter in the spray can paint department. Its what body shops use to prime those slippery plastic bumpers and decorative cladding on cars, so it works well for our delrin plastic model train parts. After its shot with the promoter, almost any paint will stick well, even brush painted acrylic bottle paint from Walmart.
I soak the handrails in 90% alcohol to strip the old paint, using careful pressure on a flat surface to help scrape any paint that might linger after the soaking. Spray the Promoter like any rattle can paint, onto all sides for proper coverage. Then apply the top coat. I think hobby brand paints are better quality from a coverage and lay-quality perspective. Rattle can paint will stick even better, IMO. And I use flat or satin finish, since it sticks better than gloss paint and the sheen looks pre weathered.
- Douglas
RC hobby shops will carry paints designed to work on the clear polycarbonate body shells for RC cars; they are available in rattle cans and bottles.
doctorwayneI've also read that the paint, made for use on radio-controlled automobiles made of similar materials, works well.
That's what I use, brand name is "Faskolor" ("Paint for Lexan Model Car Bodies & Other Surfaces") from the auto section of the LHS. It's water based like Tamiya, Vallejo etc., but it's made to stick better to 'slippery' plastic. I use three colors - orange (for my freelance road) yellow and white. You probably could use white or gray as a primer - not sure if they make a "primer gray" or not? - then use other brand of paint over it.
Second hand information follows:
I friend of mine has told me Krylon Fusion works on slippery engineering plastics. I have not tried it because if comes in a rattle can with a lousy nozzle. Also, there are not many "railroady" colors.
I hope to do a real experiment some day and report back.
-Kevin
Living the dream.