RMweb Gold Graham T Posted November 19, 2023 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted November 19, 2023 So, I finally got all the drilling done for the roof vents. The instructions called for cutting 0.5 mm wide lengths from a sheet of thin styrene, included in the kit, for the rain strips. But this proved to be beyond me. The styrene worked okay for the water tanks, but whenever I tried to cut such thin strips they just curled up like springs, and were unusable. The nearest I had was some 0.75 mm strip, so I've tried using that, and then sanding it down afterwards, but I think it's still overscale. I've got some 0.5 mm strip on order, so I think I'll remove the existing ones and replace them. The roof isn't fixed in place yet, of course. 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neal Ball Posted November 19, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 19, 2023 I would use pre cut micro strip Graham! Looking good so far 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neal Ball Posted November 19, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 19, 2023 3 hours ago, Graham T said: So, I finally got all the drilling done for the roof vents. The instructions called for cutting 0.5 mm wide lengths from a sheet of thin styrene, included in the kit, for the rain strips. But this proved to be beyond me. The styrene worked okay for the water tanks, but whenever I tried to cut such thin strips they just curled up like springs, and were unusable. The nearest I had was some 0.75 mm strip, so I've tried using that, and then sanding it down afterwards, but I think it's still overscale. I've got some 0.5 mm strip on order, so I think I'll remove the existing ones and replace them. The roof isn't fixed in place yet, of course. Given everything else is pre painted. I would start on spraying the roof next before you fix it into place…. Primer and final coat. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Graham T Posted November 20, 2023 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted November 20, 2023 12 hours ago, Neal Ball said: I would use pre cut micro strip Graham! Looking good so far Yes, I have some on order. Maybe paint some passengers while I'm waiting... 12 hours ago, Neal Ball said: Given everything else is pre painted. I would start on spraying the roof next before you fix it into place…. Primer and final coat. That was indeed the plan. Just hoping that I can persuade some paint to stick to the aluminium roof! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrWolf Posted November 20, 2023 Share Posted November 20, 2023 22 minutes ago, Graham T said: That was indeed the plan. Just hoping that I can persuade some paint to stick to the aluminium roof! You should be able to get an aerosol of etch primer from a motor spares or DIY shop. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Andy Keane Posted November 20, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 20, 2023 Jerry who led the loco building course ( @queensquare ) swears by this etch primer - not sure if you can get it where you are though. Andy 2 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Graham T Posted November 20, 2023 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted November 20, 2023 (edited) Thanks Rob. And Andy! Edited November 20, 2023 by Graham T Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Graham T Posted November 20, 2023 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted November 20, 2023 It just occurred to me - is it ok to use etch primer on styrene? Although the roof is aluminium, the water tank covers and rain strips are plastic. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neal Ball Posted November 20, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 20, 2023 I use Vallejo white primer on everything. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrWolf Posted November 20, 2023 Share Posted November 20, 2023 7 hours ago, Andy Keane said: Jerry who led the loco building course ( @queensquare ) swears by this etch primer - not sure if you can get it where you are though. Andy That's what I use. It will even make paint adhere to chrome on wheel rims and petrol tanks. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Graham T Posted November 20, 2023 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted November 20, 2023 Any idea if it would destroy the styrene Rob? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrWolf Posted November 20, 2023 Share Posted November 20, 2023 I wouldn't expect it to, plastic being generally immune to acids. I think that it's based on some type of orthophosphoric acid as in rust remover. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Graham T Posted November 20, 2023 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted November 20, 2023 (edited) Great, thanks. I'll see if I can get some at the local version of B&Q. Edited November 20, 2023 by Graham T 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Tim Dubya Posted November 20, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 20, 2023 3 minutes ago, Graham T said: Great, thanks. I'll see if I can get some at the local version of B&Q. I got my can in Halfords, so I guess if your B&Q type place doesn't have it, try a motor factors / car shop 👍 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Tim Dubya Posted November 20, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 20, 2023 3 hours ago, Neal Ball said: I use Vallejo white primer on everything. Do you do any surface prep on the aluminium first or just clean and paint? Cheers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrWolf Posted November 20, 2023 Share Posted November 20, 2023 17 minutes ago, Tim Dubya said: Do you do any surface prep on the aluminium first or just clean and paint? Cheers I've always found it beneficial to degrease aluminium and give it a light key using a scotchbrite pad or similar, even when using etch primer. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Tim Dubya Posted November 20, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 20, 2023 (edited) 3 minutes ago, MrWolf said: I've always found it beneficial to degrease aluminium and give it a light key using a scotchbrite pad or similar, even when using etch primer. Cheers, that's what I was after 👍 I thought it might, as I guess you have to remove the oxidation and abride slightly before anything will stick proper. Edited November 20, 2023 by Tim Dubya Not a bong Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWsTrains Posted November 20, 2023 Share Posted November 20, 2023 8 hours ago, Graham T said: It just occurred to me - is it ok to use etch primer on styrene? Although the roof is aluminium, the water tank covers and rain strips are plastic. as someone said, the acid will be no problem. I'm less sure about any solvents as they go for PS like a rat up a drainpipe. Do a test bit to see. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neal Ball Posted November 20, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 20, 2023 12 minutes ago, Tim Dubya said: Cheers, that's what I was after 👍 I thought it might, as I guess you have to remove the oxidation and abride slightly before anything will stick proper. Yes a wash in soap to get rid of any flux, then a very light sand with wet and dry. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Tim Dubya Posted November 20, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 20, 2023 6 minutes ago, Neal Ball said: Yes a wash in soap to get rid of any flux, then a very light sand with wet and dry. Cheers 👍 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Graham T Posted November 21, 2023 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted November 21, 2023 14 hours ago, Tim Dubya said: I got my can in Halfords, so I guess if your B&Q type place doesn't have it, try a motor factors / car shop 👍 They have an auto section so hopefully will stock some. And thanks to everyone for all the inputs - really useful! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Graham T Posted November 21, 2023 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted November 21, 2023 I'm still waiting for some low temp solder and the plastic micro strip though, so the project is on hold for just a little while (hopefully)... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Andy Keane Posted November 21, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 21, 2023 Another way to do the rain strips is self adhesive lining tape, presumably after the etch. Tony Gee tells me he uses this for boiler bands for example. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Graham T Posted November 21, 2023 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted November 21, 2023 Interesting idea Andy. But my micro strip arrived in the post this morning, so I can make a bit more progress now. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Andy Keane Posted November 21, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 21, 2023 See how it goes - it may be a tape would allow the gentle curve to lie flat while the strip will be more troublesome to get an even shape in. As with buildings, the roof of a coach on our layouts is way more noticeable than every other bit of the model of course. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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