Painting Metal Figures (1 Viewer)

[Denver]

Greetings'
I have recently acquired some of Conte's Alamo Mexican Army figures, single colored.
Two are mounted.
What substance is effective to remove the adhesive attaching rider to horse ?
What primer do you recommend ?
These are excellent metal sculptures. I do not want to screw them up.
Thanksmuch

 

[theBaron]

Welcome to the forum, Denver!

For removing paint, try Super Clean, a de-greaser available at Walmart (it may also be available at auto supply stores, but I found it at WallyWorld). I used to use oven cleaner, but you can re-use a batch of Super Clean. Both will work, on plastics as well as metal.

For removing the adhesive, since the figures are metal, I recommend acetone. It will dissolve cyano-acrylate, aka CA or super glue, and not harm the metal. I would not use it with plastics. You can find acetone at hardware stores. I recommend buying it there, and not buying nail polish remover, which is a dilute acetone solution. Nail polish removers usually have scents added. You can use cotton swabs to apply the acetone-use the ones with pressed paper shafts, the plastic ones will melt. Just dip the swab in the acetone, then apply it to the area where the adhesive is. It may take a couple of applications, but it will remove most adhesives.

Prost!
Brad

PS-Mods, could we move this to the Painting subforum, please? This forum is for how-to questions about the forum itself (eg How do I send PMs)

 

[theBaron]

Sorry, Denver, I forgot about your primer question.

I use cheap automotive primer, again, available at Walmart. For the price, it covers well, provides good "tooth" for the finished color layers, and goes a long way. I use light gray, medium/dark gray, and also the red/rust color, which I didn't use at first but am coming to use more. The undercoat will affect the final coat, eg, if the final color is white or yellow, a light primer will help improve the depth of the final coat. A dark undercoat will make the final coat look a little darker. You could even use flat white and flat black as primers, depending on the final colors.

Rustoleum and Krylon primers are good, too, but they are more expensive by volume than Walmart's brand.

I don't use primers made by the hobby companies, eg, Tamiya, because the price per volume is prohibitive. Plus, the other primers have use in household projects, so, it's frugal to buy them.

Hope that all helps, prost!
Brad

 

[Denver]

Baron Brad
I will get some acetone and primer this afternoon.
Thank you for your information.
I apologize for posting my question in the wrong topic area.

 

[theBaron]

Hi, Denver, don't sweat it, I apologize if it sounded like a scold.

Please let us see how you do with the figures. What is your favorite area? Do you paint regularly? It's nice to welcome another painter to our ranks.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Denver]

Hi Baron
Here are a few pictures from my photobucket album.
These are some conversions and painted guys.

I usually use plastic figures.