Newbie & Paint Question

[trainman]

Hi, I'm obviously new (and no, i haven't introduced myself formally yet). I've been hanging around for a while - embarrassed to jump in since I was at "the other" airbrush forum - where it was clear I didn't belong. This seems to be a more tolerant forum.

OK, I just tinker with models. I'm still learning control with my arthritic fingers, but I was getting to where I could at leat do passable work with Enamel paints. However, I wanted to change paints to something that isn't as harmful to my old body.

With my type of trains, you don't assemble them to operate, and when modifying them, you dissasemble only what you have to so that little parts don't get dmaged or lost - soooooo, it isn't possible to prime areas that you want to paint. The Enamels adhere well without primer, and don't necessarily need top/seal coats.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a less toxic paint type that will adhere to plastics and metals without a primer/base coat ? I could do a topcoat if necessary, but prefer not to, due to overspray issues in small areas.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Trainman

[ABD]

Howdy Trainman!..Welcome from NY!!..Glad you jumped in here, I look forward to jabbin with ya:D

Far as your paint question, I'm not qualified to say much..I'd think a good waterbase paint would work..Maybe spray on some adhesion promoter 1st....Just guessing here though...Hang tight someone will come along that knows what's up..LOL

[redanner]

Welcome to the ABT Forum trainman! Yes you will enjoy being involved here! And everybody is a student here. It just depends on the scale you are on for developing and improving!

[lillen76]

If you wont an non toxic paint you can check out Parmas Faskolor.
I have used it on my lexan bodies and they work fine.
Maybe you need to ruff upp the surfase little to get the paint to stick .
http://www.parmapse.com/fas1.html

[AndyW]

Hi and welcome, believe most of the water based paints will work, probably will need to scuff to promote adhesion, and some will require a promoter to help adhere to plastic.

[trainman]

Thanks for the inputs ..... oh boy, this is definitely a friendlier place to speak airbrush ! My skills are seriously limited, but then, they don't need to be phenomenal for what I do. I think with your help, maybe I can pick up some good info here ..... I've already seen some excellent How-To's.

I'm fond of the Enamels for their flow qualities and durability, but the harsh chemicals for thinning and cleanup are bad news. I have been trying some Acrylics, but without adhesion promoters, so they just flaked off. I think I'll give them another shot, per your suggestions.

Scuffing is sort of tough, due to the small areas needing to be painted. On the models, it's mostly 'weathering' and some lettering changes - hard to get a piece of Scothbrite or sandpaper in there around features like 1/64" rivets, etc.

I also do some mural work on my walls. The Enamel fumes are not as big an issue outside, but I've still been experimenting with Acrylics. Over a latex house paint base, they seem to do quite well.

BTW, I use an old trusty Paasche VL - no, it's Ok ! My fat arthritic fingers like that larger tube feel, and I have a metal handle extension for better balance. Besides, I've seen some incedible work done with that brush - it just takes some talent.

Trainman

[AndyW]

Theres a few on here that rely on that trusty brush, ask away, what ever help can be had will be given gladly.

[josie]

welcome aboard Trainman

[minniemouse]

Wooo, Wooo - Welconme Trainman, from the UK !! (sorry, couldn't resist!)
Any chance of seeing what type of trains your painting on?
Cant wait to see some of your work! All the Best, MM x

[installer]

welcome to the forum sir!

[fontgeek]

Welcome Trainman,you will also find me on Trains.com helping people out at that end.

Floquil paints seem to be popular, but a lot depends on what you want, where your trains will be (garden railroad, indoor track, etc.), what the material is you are spraying on, and what kind of exposure it and you will have.

For the scuffing in the tiny areas, you might try a dedicated electric toothbrush, something like the Oral B that does the swirling head, with some rubbing compound or a piece of scotchbrite hot glued to the bristles. Getting your work surfaces clear of any contamination (wax, grease, body oil, etc.) will be a big part of getting good results.

What scale are you working on?

The VL is an excellent brush, but you might also try something like the Grex XT, or the Iwata Eclipse trigger action brushes. The motion for pulling the trigger is much more in the normal range of finger motion (no twists), the side mounted brush like the Grex also lets you paint at any angle, which is great for anchored pieces, odd angles, and mural work.

Keep in mind that anything you put into your lungs other than clean air will do damage, whether it's basic water based acrylics, or as nasty as automotive urethanes. Always were the proper protective gear. You may also want to add a ventalation system to your work area. It will help protect you and your environment. Even a simple box fan with furnace filters mounted on it will catch a lot of stuff, and it helps keep your area cleaner too.

[Cowboy]

Howdy & Welcome TrainMan, I,ve seen Ya around for Awhile, Glad Ya decided to Join in. As far as the other forum. What other Forum. haha . No Worrys Yer Home now. looking forward to Chattin with Ya & seeing some of Yer Work.
My Father in Law, Which just passed the other day. Was a Train NUTT , lol. & has a whoile railroad set up in His Basement. Mostly antique type stuff. Will Be Kewl to Have someone here to Share, His passion with.

As Far as Paints . I Cant Help Ya much, As I am also looking for Safe paints to work with. I,ve been thinking about Trying the etac line. Sounds Great. But so far a lil to complicated for My Lil ole pee brain. Welcome aboard. Trainman .

[trainman]

Hey, Fontgeek :

Thanks for the ideas. I'm just an old fart working in G-scale, so it's not as bad as it COULD be, but still, there are some small parts ..... I've used Floquil, and I like it, but it's another Enamel. Actually, I prefer the performance aspects of Enamel paints to anything else, but the costs are getting to be pretty harsh, and the mess that accompanies them is just not so good for me.

My dilemma is this (probably just laziness ?) : I do have a mask rated for painting, but it seems like a bit of overkill to put that on, fire up the compressor, mix up the paint colors I want, shoot an area of a few square inches, then tear it all down and clean up for about an hour. If I did this for a living, I'd probably have a different take on it (and a different routine), but this is just in support of hobby work.

Using a 'hairy' brush (as some like to call it) works occasionally, but the quality of finish and the effects are obviously better with the airbrush.

Anyhow, I'm still just learning and I think the folks in thi forum, like yourself, can help me out a lot.

Trainman

[fontgeek]

Trainman, anything you can do to help protect yourself will help, even if it is just a dustmask, and the fan and filter routine.
If your setup is strictly for indoor setups, then you might get away with using something like Golden Airbrush Colors, Etac, AutoAIr, Dr.PHMartin, and a few others. Having the fan setup with the filter on it helps to keep your place dust free anyway, and the fans and filters are pretty darn inexpensive. Just point the fan away from your work, and put the filter on the suction side of the fan. The fan itself will create the suction needed to keep the filter in place, and the filters can be gotten from HomeDepot, Lowes, etc, for around $2 or $3. You want one that covers the whole face of the fan, that keeps all the air coming through filtered, and it pulls the overspray away from you and your work.

[Shiva]

Hey, Fontgeek :

Thanks for the ideas. I'm just an old fart working in G-scale, so it's not as bad as it COULD be, but still, there are some small parts ..... I've used Floquil, and I like it, but it's another Enamel. Actually, I prefer the performance aspects of Enamel paints to anything else, but the costs are getting to be pretty harsh, and the mess that accompanies them is just not so good for me.

My dilemma is this (probably just laziness ?) : I do have a mask rated for painting, but it seems like a bit of overkill to put that on, fire up the compressor, mix up the paint colors I want, shoot an area of a few square inches, then tear it all down and clean up for about an hour. If I did this for a living, I'd probably have a different take on it (and a different routine), but this is just in support of hobby work.

Using a 'hairy' brush (as some like to call it) works occasionally, but the quality of finish and the effects are obviously better with the airbrush.

Anyhow, I'm still just learning and I think the folks in thi forum, like yourself, can help me out a lot.

Trainman

http://www.badgerairbrush.com/modelflex.htm

waterbased..