I have some older Stewart U25b kits that have been sitting on my shelf for years. I thought that instead of looking at them forever, I would assemble one even though they're not exactly state of the art anymore.
I know this has been covered many times before in print, but I can't find any recent threads about painting delrin handrails. And, with so many new paints coming onto the market I thought I'd ask it again. I will need to paint just the handrails and not the stanchions. So I'm wondering if any of you have tried any paints or other methods with success? I know they make paint adhesion promoter, but does it really work? And if so, with which paints? Does it help to scuff the surface of the plastic a bit? I'm just looking for some ideas that have worked for you.
Jim
I have had best luck with Vallejo paints straight from the bottle.
.
I don't think they adhere any better, but they are flexible when they dry, and that seems to make all the difference.
The only time I had real trouble with handrails is when I was in N scale and used Floquil paints on them. That did not work at all.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
What You need is Polycarbonate paint. Used in RC truck/cars. Tamiya and a few others. I use Pactra Racing finish yellow and white brushed on for hand.grab rails. Will not chip or peel, flake. The paint once cured, bends with what it is painted on. like a weld. Been using it for yrs. Painted quite a few RC trucks for My own and Grandson's......I'm their official RC Vehicle fixer.
He's flipped it about 6 times now........no damage to anything at all:
1/14 RC tractor trailer.......
Take Care!
Frank
Do you do anything to the surface before applying it?
There's also this stuff:
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/MSR7223
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
ctyclsscs Do you do anything to the surface before applying it? Jim
No.....As long as it is clean and free of finger prints.
I would also like to make it clear, that I DO NOT use spray cans......I mix My own colors and use an airbrush....so much easier to control amount of paint, where a dust coat is important. Below is the paint I use for hand rails, which I brush on. I only use two colors for that. Some have been painted since early 80's and none have chipped yet:
https://www.google.com/search?q=pactra+racing+finish+paint&safe=active&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjwwq-3u7nfAhVuzlkKHfdiChgQsAR6BAgDEAE&biw=1221&bih=568#imgrc=TkqkRUDAb3XEuM:
Since that primer is clear, I suppose it won't matter if I spray the whole piece but only brush paint the handrail, right?
ctyclsscsSince that primer is clear, I suppose it won't matter if I spray the whole piece but only brush paint the handrail, right?
I wouldn't do that. I would mask everything except what you want to paint.
To be honest, I think Frank has a better solution.
Smokey Valley lists them for Bachmann/Athearn/Lionel No idea if these would work with Stewart.
https://smokeyvalley.com/
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Thank you. I emailed them.