Painting Locomotives

[chessiecat]

I was wondering if it is worthwhile to buy one of the Ultrasonic Cleaners to clean and degrease a brass or plastic engine or car before painting?  Worth the money or not?  Thanks for any advice you can offer! Jim

[robert sylvester]

 I gotta tell you, that is a great question. From experience, those work, but for me, a tooth brush and warm soapy water for the engines, careful not to cause problems with the motor, and for rolling stock the same thing, let it dry good then on with the paint.
I have hand painted my engines and no problems with peeling or damaging the plastic or brass. I have spray painted, right from Wal-Mart, and hand paint the drive mechanism. Believe it or not, even with out cleaning the paint has been on for twenty years and is doing well.
Besides after weathering who can tell. That's the simple way.
Gandy Dancer
WTRR