Painting photo etched detail parts

Maybe try roughing them up a bit and wiping them with some 91%.  I have personally never had a problem.

What paint are you using?

I use a variety of acrylic paints, usually Tamiya and Model master.  Just thought I'd see if anyone was doing something I could try.  I will try wiping them down with alcohol first.  I suspect it is just the non porous nature of the brass, I have heard that priming them with an enamel primer first will help, but that seems a little difficult when they are just being used for cockpit detail for the most part.  Thanks.

Prime and paint them on the fret. Airbrushing would be easier than brush painting them. Dont' paint the side to be glued.

Any oils (including finger stuff) on metal prevents paint adhesion.  So you must clean metal more thoroughly than plastic.  A soap or detergent first and a solvent cleaning secondly may be required, depending on how crudy they are.  Then, a good metal primer is necessary.

I once read that dipping in vinigar etches the surface.  Haven' tried it yet,  I just rub a little with fine sand paper.

Thank you, I'll give it a try.