Steve | 27 May 2014 6:44 a.m. PST |
For the first time this weekend I used Rustoleum 2x Primer ( link ) on some 25mm metals. It covered nicely, but has quite a blast to it, would probably blow away plastics or other small things. However, after I gathered up the figs and transported them to the basement, I noticed that the primer had already rubbed off where it had touched pretty much any surface. I plan on dipping them after I'm done painting, so I'm hoping that the paint will be locked on after that step. What do you think, should I take a wire brush to these and redo them with a better primer? Steve |
Pictors Studio | 27 May 2014 7:15 a.m. PST |
I guess it depends on how much rubbed off, what surface it touched and how roughly it touched that surface. When I prime there are areas of metal showing if the fig stick to the box or whatever. Usually it is just a very small area, like the raised part of a coat or an elbow sticking out or something. That is not to be worried about. Just paint over the areas needed and be on your way about it. |
vexillia | 27 May 2014 8:40 a.m. PST |
If your primer is not adhering to lead/tin figures and rubbing off with only the slightest touch the primer is obviously not fit for the purpose you are using it for. Dipping them after painting will help but it won't affect the poor bonding between the primer and the metal. Net result: the high spots of the figure which will always be liable to paint rubbing off as the bond between the metal and the primer is so poor. Likewise if you paint over the rubbed off sections as most paint won't act as a good primer. I'd start again with a proper primer designed for lead, tin and copper. Standard primers are not designed for these metals they are usually designed for ferrous metals which have a much rougher surface properties making it easier for the primer to bind. Lead and Tin have very smooth surfaces making adhesion very difficult. For more information check out my recent article The Unvarnished Truth from Miniature Wargames available via my blog. -- Martin Stephenson The Waving Flag :: Twitter :: eBay |
Rich Bliss | 27 May 2014 8:50 a.m. PST |
Actually, the surface roughness of metals depends primarily on the fabrication method. Castings will generally be rougher than sheet product for example. I would rather suspect that your figures had some surface contamination that prevented adhesion. I wouldn't necessarily try to strip off all the primer but give the figures a quick bath in dish soap an water and dry completel, then go for another light spray. |
vexillia | 27 May 2014 9:00 a.m. PST |
Actually, the surface roughness of metals depends primarily on the fabrication method. This is wrong. You are confusing microscopic effects with those at the molecular level. The latter govern the adhesion of paint. -- Martin Stephenson The Waving Flag :: Twitter :: eBay |
Rich Bliss | 27 May 2014 9:16 a.m. PST |
Coating can adhere through chemical means or by mechanical keying (or both). The rougher the surface, the greater the mechanical keying. In any event, the cleanliness of the surface is important. |
zippyfusenet | 27 May 2014 12:27 p.m. PST |
I'd give them a scrub and see how much primer comes off. If you can easily scrub the primer off, it won't do it's job bonding your artistic painting to the metal fig. |
Steve | 27 May 2014 12:36 p.m. PST |
Thanks for all the advice. I think I'll scrub it with a toothbrush and see what happens. It's only 12 figs, thank the mini gods its not 50. Steve |
Dark Knights And Bloody Dawns | 27 May 2014 2:18 p.m. PST |
Did you wash them to clean off the releasing agent? |
Extra Crispy | 27 May 2014 6:23 p.m. PST |
Release agent is not used when casting metal ASAIK. That is for resin and plastic
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