Oh Pewter models; How I hate you....

Anyone have tips on dealing with pewter models. Specifically how to deal with the fact that the paint tends to rub off as you paint it further.


The never ending cycle of fixing rubbed of paint is driving me insane!

 

There's two things you must do when building and painting metal models. The first is to scrub it before you start painting it. The reason for this is because most models will have some of the releasing agent that is applied during the casting procedure, to ensure the model does not stick to its mold. The easiest way to do this is to grab a spare toothbrush and a bit of dish soap and scrub it with warm water. Then let it air dry before you start painting it.
The second thing you should do is, once you've finished painting it, seal it with a clear varnish. The reason for this is because unlike on a plastic model, the primer you're using doesn't bond as well with metal. So once everything is dry, the paint is easier to chip off. If you get a clear varnish and spray it overtop your paintjob, this will help it not to chip as much.
Also, make sure you are indeed using a primer on any metal or plastic model before you start painting it. It gives the paint something to stick to.

 

You could try automaotive primer, it's meant to bond with metal,
also it sprays in a finer, smother coat, but with enough tooth to help your paint stick better.

 

This never worked for me, but I may have been doing it wrong all the time. So I give my metal models a nice bath in methylated spirits for a up to a day!
The only thing needed to be done is to pick a model up, drop it in the jar you keep the spirits in and close the jar, wait (do something else in the meantime) and then pick it up and clean it off with some water.

Cheers!

 

It is rather fussy stuff, the metal. Remember, every time you touch the bare metal you transfer grease and oil from your fingers to it, which doesn't help the paint either. Once oyu have washed it and before you have undercoated, you should try to handle the model as little as possible. For this reason, I file down the model, pin whatever bits need it, glue it, and GS it before cleaning with warm soapy water. Then as soon as the model is dry, give it an undercoat.

Some metals also tend to feel powdery. It is bad if that is the case. I tend to lightly run the back edge of my scalpel over most of the model to reveal the metal underneath.

If you are having a lot of trouble with them even after cleaning, there are a few more things you can try that could be part of the problem. Temperature and humidity can effect how well the paint sticks, make sure the undercoat goes on when it is reasonable dry (not raining) and preferable between 20-30C so it isn't too hot or too cold.

A small trick some painters swear by is to put the model out in the sun for half an hour or so before undercoating. This allows the material to 'get used' to the surroundings, and UV light is known to increase the wetability of surfaces so it should allow the paint to stick a bit better.