Painting a Brass Steam Lomomotive Part 1

Mutipart series on the painting of a brass locomotive.

[@MartinSBrown-tp9ji]

Primer coats should be a very light coat. This guy put it on to heavy. Don't use this man's instructions for anything. HE IS NO PRO!

[@douglasskaalrud6865]

Who said he was?

[@Reading_Modeler]

can you do any better?

[@MartinSBrown-tp9ji]

@@Reading_Modeler Yes, my models won a national N.M.R.A. contest Twice in the 1980's

[@Svain5]

@@MartinSBrown-tp9ji The 1880s or 1980s?

[@lord_bermondsey]

@MartinSBrown-tp9ji That may be the case, but he had the fortitude to put out a video detailing one way to go about doing it. If you think your skill is higher, do the community a favor and show us how it's done, please. There are fewer and fewer painters every year - maybe its time for those who can to help teach those who have a desire to do.

[@w.rustylane5650]

I got my first brass diesel locomotive for Christmas this year. It's a Hallmark Fairbanks-Morse H12-44 and it came painted for the Central of Georgia (the road I model) livery. I've already taken it apart for servicing and adding LED headlight and red LED backup light. Got to take her apart one more time to add a couple of diodes to the LED's to keep them from flashing when the reverse current is applied. Have to wait for my diodes get here. I plan to buy more brass engines especially a few steamers. Nice to know how to paint 'em. Thanks for posting. Cheers from eastern TN

[@canyonpast]

This gives me hope. Working on a PFM Union Pacific 2-8-0. Thanks again for the inspiration

[@robertrichter2783]

Can’t believe he did not take the trucks off and take them apart

[@christopherlaflam6383]

Just got the Harbor Freight blaster today in the mail. Got an Ebay Pennsylvania Q2 duplex locomotive special ready to blast. So gkad I found your video!

[@JoeG-firehousewhiskey]

wow, very nice work. you put a lot into it and its looking great

[@bonzeroo]

Most informative video! Thanks for sharing!

[@christopherlaflam6383]

Great video. Finally started blasting. I'm blasting at 60 psi and I'm not getting nearly the results you did! The Harbor hose did not fit my compressor so I used the one that came with my compressor. The nozzle hole in the sprayer is so tiny that I get about a 1/8 inch blast pattern. Took me 25 minutes to do one side of my Q2! Strange. I'll experiment since this is my first time using this equipment.

[@alexvids9232]

just barely got into ho and n scale trains this week. im over here going nuts. i have about 13 engines and 50 cars and tons of track and town stuff already. bridges, log dumper etc etc. :p

[@w.rustylane5650]

I've got a few engines (Mantua & Tyco) that have open frame (Pittman) motors in them. I never change out the motors as the Pittman motors are just fine. What I do to improve them is change out the magnets to neodymium (rare earth) magnets and it made a HUGE difference in current draw and now they will "creep" around the tracks just like you guys' DCC step 1 speed. I only do DC as I hate the sound of HO DCC sound. It sounds way too tinny. O gauge DCC sound is much better. I guess the speakers are just so small in HO DCC. Cheers from eastern TN

[@derekrussel-hill8597]

Put Blue Tack or equivalent on the screwdriver tip. It keeps the screw in place and is really helpful.

[@tombarnes7196]

I found that taking a pics with my phone as I take it apart was really useful. Then you can see where/ what parts went.

[@espinozajos]

Great series and thank you! Im learning to paint brass as well, I have a hard time stripping painted OMI models I was wondering if you recommend the air-eraser with the same particulate for a painted model? Peace!

[@ScaniaVabis580]

I find it easier to wire wheel mine (ultra fine), it buff's it up so shiny that it creates a very, very strong bond. I then acid etch prime with a bit of heat. I find that model grade primer's don't stay on the model for very long.

[@everettthepetractionguy4222]

You really should use a foam cradle to hold the steam engine in place while unscrewing the small brass parts from it. 👉04:35. 😉

[@MartinSBrown-tp9ji]

Don't ever take an engine apart this far. Your chance of ever getting it back together with out any problems is a far trip to hell. If you do this,, good luck. Ask me how long it took to get it ruining again.

[@Edyth_Hedd]

Helmikins, have you ever tried any other blast media, or other grit numbers? I've heard of people using pumice as it's a bit easier on the brass surface.

[@Helmikins]

I'm sure any material that would spray out would work. Try it out in a piece of scrap brass before hand.

[@rayrr2013]

My dad did watch repairs. He had lots of those tiny screws.

[@Helmikins]

That would be my first guess as to where to get some small screws like that. Hopefully I don't loose any.

[@TheShomare]

Spray can primer? This will never be as accurate, thin, or proper as using an air brush. Goes on too heavy as Martin pointed out.

[@SCWatches]

Made for vehicles.

[@OtterCreek]

Did this locomotive have a lacquer finish before you honed it? If so what did you use to strip the lacquer?

[@Helmikins]

I think it did, but the media blasting removes the clear.

[@meezermama627]

Would the media blasting be necessary to abrade the surface if it didn't have any coating on it at all? Thanks.

[@Helmikins]

It really helps with adhesion especially if you are not painting with scalecoat. It gives it a rough surface for the paint to adhere to.

[@meezermama627]

@@Helmikins Thanks very much. The videos were good and I appreciate your helpful insights.

[@LifeOfRiley2166]

Is sand blasting a must or can a good cleaning suffice?

[@Helmikins]

Not a must but does help with adhesion. Just make sure that it is de-greased well and if possible use scale coat, it sticks the best to bare metal. I have been using it on all my bare brass models now.

[@MrGassRight]

By any chance do you know if painting a brass loco prevents it from being conductive? I have an issue with my lead trucks touching the locomotive and shorting out the engine.

[@Helmikins]

The lead truck can wear through the paint and short it out. I put a thin piece of styrene, .010, over where the wheels could touch. I also do this on the bottom of the cow catcher.

[@MrGassRight]

@@Helmikins Thank you for the info, appreciate it.

[@robertrichter2783]

MrGassRight you can use Teflon sheet to insulate

[@justindampier9017]

What PSI are you running the eraser at?

[@Helmikins]

Between 50-60 PSI if I remember correctly.

[@justindampier9017]

@@Helmikins thanks

[@robertmoore2112]

where did y get graphite color paint

[@Helmikins]

Trucolor TCP-008 Graphite