Paint and preperation

[Neil Berryman]

Hi there,

I need any advice on how best to prep my 25 pounder and limber for painting and what types of primer(s) and top coats to use.

I see a link in the Knowledge base but it takes me to a Centurion build and I can't see any reference to paint and prep there.

So basically what preparation cleaning, grades of abrasive, between coats etc

Many thanks in advance

Neil

[Stephen White]

Neil, I will get the Knowledge Base updated in due course. Steps for paint as follows:

- clean surfaces to remove residual oils, grease etc. You can use wet and dry, or a degreaser such as UPOL System 20 Panel Wipe. You could also use an acetone based product. I usually give the surfaces a final clean using a wire polishing disc on a power tool. Some prime at the sub-assembly level but there are advantages in priming every part before assembly to protect against dissimilar metal corrosion.

- etch prime. Many members on this forum use UPOL Acid 8 etch prime, although cheaper bulk buys are available from the motor trade.

- apply a base coat. You can use any paint, including two part cellulose, enamel, acrylic. You can use a rattle can, brush or airbrush. One commonly used approach is to airbrush a basecoat of acrylic and seal with a satin varnish such as Purity Seal from Games Workshop. The advantage of this approach is that accurate original colours are widely available in acrylic. Secondly, weathering effects can then be applied using enamel based products knowing that any mistakes can be removed with thinner without damaging the basecoat.

Hope this helps. There are lots of helpful posts on the forum and members ready to advise on their chosen methods.

Regards.

Stephen

[Neil Berryman]

Thanks Stephen, can you please let me know when the link is fixed so I can check it out

[Graham Hough]

Thank you Stephen for the advice. One question - what is wrong about using old fashioned meths for the initial clean, it is cheap and is it not effective?

[Stephen White]

Graham, hi. According to my Google, meths in B&Q is currently £3.87 per 500ml compared with the UPOL degreaser which is £1.43 for the equivalent measure ie UPOL is half the price and designed for the job. A purpose degreaser is less toxic to lungs and skin and less flammable. It's probably wise to use a mask and gloves, whatever you use.

Stephen

[Neil Berryman]

Some very useful info on this link, obviously push the products they sell but seems solid info, doesn't advise white spirit or turps as they leave a residue which if my creaky memory serves me so does meths.

http://www.phoenix-paints.co.uk/about-u ... imers.html