Primer for brass

KNO3 · Post by **KNO3** » Sun Feb 07, 2016 11:02 pm

Hi all,
I was wondering what is a good primer for applying to brass before painting?

MDLR · Post by **MDLR** » Sun Feb 07, 2016 11:48 pm

I use Precision Paints etch primer, which comes in a spray can. Dom't know whether you'll get that where you are, or whether Precision Paints will ship it to you.

http://www.phoenix-paints.co.uk/precisi ... mer-1.html

Snailrail · Post by **Snailrail** » Mon Feb 08, 2016 11:50 am

I've used U-POL Acid 8 Etch Primer from Halfords. Also available on e-bay, Amazon etc. Seems to work fine.

MDLR · Post by **MDLR** » Mon Feb 08, 2016 12:04 pm

Snailrail:116129 wrote:I've used U-POL Acid 8 Etch Primer from Halfords. Also available on e-bay, Amazon etc. Seems to work fine.

The OP lives in Vienna - do they have Halfords there??

Snailrail · Post by **Snailrail** » Mon Feb 08, 2016 1:50 pm

MDLR:116130 wrote:
The OP lives in Vienna - do they have Halfords there??

Oops, didn't notice that, but I'm sure they do car repairs in Austria, there must be a similar aerosol etch primer available, even if that isn't.

Keith S · Post by **Keith S** » Mon Feb 08, 2016 4:59 pm

If you go to any store that sells automobile paints, you should be able to find a can of "self etching primer". If you read what it says on the label, if it is the correct stuff it will say that it is for non-ferrous metals.

If you are REALLY stuck and can't find any, you can do a pretty good job on brass by giving it a thorough cleaning with a strong degreaser (NOT washing-up liquid!!!) and then putting the piece you wish to paint in a bath of diluted (1/1) muriatic acid (available from swimming-pool-supply stores) for an hour or so to gently "etch" the brass. Rinse with water and then spray with regular metal primer.

This is what I did with my Roundhouse engine body- and the paint stuck to it very well. I later found some self-etching primer when I built a new cab for the engine, and I don't think it worked any better than the above method... it was just a bit easier.

By the way when you are done with it, it is very easy to make muriatic acid disappear... just pour sodium bicarbonate into it until it stops bubbling... you're left with harmless brine.

KNO3 · Post by **KNO3** » Mon Feb 08, 2016 7:12 pm

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll start looking at automotive stores for etch primer.

Busted Bricks · Post by **Busted Bricks** » Mon Feb 08, 2016 7:57 pm

Muriatic acid = Salzsäure

If you dilute it, remember to always pour acid into water, never the other way around.

KNO3 · Post by **KNO3** » Mon Feb 08, 2016 8:24 pm

I think I'll stay away from the acid and try to find the etch primer. ☺

rebelego · Post by **rebelego** » Wed Feb 10, 2016 3:21 pm

I have got the U-POL Acid #8 recommended and it is available in Oslo, so probably available elsewhere as well. I haven't tried it yet myself.

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Primer for brass

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