Painting Photo-Etched Parts

Hello!

That sanding might not be so easy, those grills can be quite fragile! I say painting PE isn't such a big deal, it's good to wash them with something to make sure grease and such is not there - I use lacquer thinner here. Then the Tamiya primer is great stuff, if you put a light coat on it dries very thin and doesn't plug any details, has a great adhesion, too - I heartly recommend it.

Good luck with your build and have a nice day

Paweł

Just make sure whatever you prime it with is a metal primer.

Ditto to Pawel and Don, and I might add that I can assure you that the Vallejo primer will not adhere well to PE. It will peel off with the slightest of handling.

Degrease in a bath of lacquer thinner, then avoid touching the parts with your pizza-stained fingers.  Handle the fret by the frame.    

An overnight soak in a mild acid such as household vinegar will slightly etch the metal surface.   Rinse and allow to air dry (rubbing with a towel may bend fine detail shapes).

The Tamiya spray primer is a good recommendation, although I have had success with well-thinned plain old ModelMaster in a color which complements/blends with the final color.

Use heavy spray primers intended for metal/Bondo auto body work with caution.  They contain fillers  which help blend surfaces when finish-sanded.  However these primers may fill/clog scale detail parts

I just prime with a regular model primer, i use Alclad. I've never washed it and not had any issues.

Puh, Just to reinforce what you've already heard...Use a primer for metal. You will regret using anything else. Right now, it's easy enough to spray outside, even. Spray sparingly, so you don't obscure detail or have too much build-up on the parts. You just need a light coat. And make sure you degrease the parts before that. Etching with vinegar is a great precaution, too. Barrett

EdGrune

Degrease in a bath of lacquer thinner, then avoid touching the parts with your pizza-stained fingers.  Handle the fret by the frame.    

An overnight soak in a mild acid such as household vinegar will slightly etch the metal surface.   Rinse and allow to air dry (rubbing with a towel may bend fine detail shapes).

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Be careful with household vinegar.  Some of it contains solids.  The term for pure vinegar is, I think, white vinegar.  Make sure what you use is clear, little color, and no powder or solids, like tiny seeds.

BTW, I hate stainless steel PE.  It does not etch well with vinegar or lye, is harder to cut, and does not fold very easily.  I much prefer brass!