Paint for diesel loco chassis?

Paint for diesel loco chassis?

This topic has 6 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 12 May 2026 at 21:41 by Paul McDonough.

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11 May 2026 at 21:04 #847907
Paul McDonough
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@paulmcdonough43628
Dear all, I am building a 3 1/2” gauge diesel electric loco and I was wondering what to paint the chassis and bogies with?
I don’t have spray paint gear, so it will have to be brush finish or rattle can, I can see it getting knocked a bit so a finish that can be reliably touched up would be a bonus.

it’s mostly mild steel with some aluminium elements, what do you use to give a durable semi gloss finish please?
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11 May 2026 at 22:44 #847922
Nigel Graham 2
Participant
@nigelgraham2
Use an etching primer to cope with the aluminium – it will work on the steel as well.

Otherwise, any normal, reasonable-quality paint suitable for metal will be fine – and the most expensive coach-painting finish is still not proof against chipping and scratching. That’s a matter of care in storage, transport and driving; not the grade of paint and painting.

Though not as cheap as brush painting, aerosol paint from a motor-factors is fine for such work.

To be honest, for the chassis I’d consider brush-painting as using a spray-can for an assembly like that would probably waste more paint on the backing than is applied to the work itself. Small brushes also reach into corners that a spray might miss. Most of the locomotive’s running-gear will be hidden anyway.

The spray-can comes into its own more for the bodywork with its large flat or gently curved areas.
12 May 2026 at 10:08 #847964
Paul McDonough
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@paulmcdonough43628
Thank you Nigel,

A appreciate your advice.

Paul
12 May 2026 at 17:16 #848005
bernard towers
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@bernardtowers37738
Not sure but I think ferrous and non ferrous etch primers are different
12 May 2026 at 18:02 #848008
Baz
Participant
@baz89810
Just asked Mrs Google and the difference seems to be the amount of phosphoric acid in the paint although universal etch primers are available.
12 May 2026 at 19:22 #848020
bernard towers
Participant
@bernardtowers37738
Interesting reading on HUILI site.
12 May 2026 at 21:41 #848036
Paul McDonough
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@paulmcdonough43628
Cheers all
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