Hi; Just thinking.
On the article about washing, I got some good replies. When I mentioned metal especially, Well, here's a look into what I do besides the White Vinegar Pre-Paint etching. All of you are familiar with those sandiing pads that go all the way to, what is it? 12,000 grit?
That's a tiny grit for sure. But with some "Dawn' or " Simple green" and warm water it is a good way to prep P.E. of any kind for paint. The grit is so fine you almost cannot feel it. But with the above mentioned further products, it does allow primer to adhere well.
The big thing to remember for small P.E. is BE GENTLE!! You don't have to dig in hard! Just let the pad almost float on the water/soap film as you make little fine circles on the P.E. As to rails Well, Move the pad gently back and forth along the length of Both Sides of the fret.
The reason I recommend this is for a while I was building rails for a vendor to put in his kits. They had to be soldered, Not glued! This worked great alongside the Solder Flux. I probably take four times as long to build a kit or Scratch-Built. It's not the project, But Mother Nature's toll on my bod showing up more and more.
Give me a glass of Milk ( Chocolate! ) and in five minutes on some days I will give you back a Milk-Shake. I am trying to work around this and the few times you have heard LEGO out of my mouth, It's the best Therapy I have found for my hands. I don't care whay the Medicos say!! Model-On!!