LGB bridge repaint.

[Nodrog1826]

Toying with the idea of repainting my bridges, into corporate green as it were, one of those over winter or early for next year jobs, someone out there must have repainted one.

I am looking for advice not on the repainting, but it would be helpful, more on the initial prep to do so. Mine have been outside all year round for a while now.
So they will need a good clean before any repainting, so I am looking for pointers in the cleaning and initial priming area, what works and what to avoid, or if it is indeed worth doing.

 

[JimmyB]

The best advice from me is, if you use SOAP and 'green' scouring pad, or similar, ensure the soap is completely rinsed off, as the residue can cause paint to not adhere correctly.

 

[Rhinochugger]

MMmmm - the profiles of the polystyrene are going to be challenging; manual cleaning could take longer than painting the Forth Bridge

In theory, soaking in hot warm, soapy water should remove external detritus - they look reasonably clean from the photos.

I suppose it's a question of how masochistic you want to be? I'd be tempted to tell the corporate greens to take a hike

 

[playmofire]

How about a run through the dishwasher and then, if needed, a warm, soapy water and tooth brush job?

 

[FatherMcD]

What you need is a scale power washer. And a special wagon to mount it on. And a special tank car to carry the cleaning solution. And a special car with exterior brushes to sweep off the loosened debris. And a special blower car to dry the bridges. And a special car with an articulated arm that can pass a spray gun through the openings in the framework to paint all the surfaces. And a special arduino to control it all. And maybe another ten years. Nah. Actually, now that I think about it, I've probably just about all of those, except the articulated spray arm, already modelled in some form.

 

[Paul M]

How about a run through the dishwasher and then, if needed, a warm, soapy water and tooth brush job?

Living dangerously are we, Playmofire?

 

[Nodrog1826]

So running it through the dishwasher, that could be difficult and painful as I am the dishwasher. I could attack it with the pressure washer, full size rather than a service train version.
Soapy water I can provide which ever method I use.

 

[dunnyrail]

If you must paint them, pressure washer will be the easiest option for cleaning. But inevitably no matter what paint you use, weather and sun will take its toll over time leaving you with flaked paint showing original grey colour.

 

[JimmyB]

If you must paint them, pressure washer will be the easiest option for cleaning. But inevitably no matter what paint you use, weather and sun will take its toll over time leaving you with flaked paint showing original grey colour.

If all soap residue is removed, properly primer, undercoated, topcoat (twice) and sealed then the paint should no peel, fade yes, but peel no.

 

[dutchelm]

A trip through the dishwasher may leave you with a kit of parts to reassemble.

 

[playmofire]

Living dangerously are we, Playmofire?

As soon as the shower is repaired I'll stop running through the dish washer but still keep on with the warm, soapy water and tooth brush job when necessary.

 

[pugwash]

What you need is a scale power washer. And a special wagon to mount it on. And a special tank car to carry the cleaning solution. And a special car with exterior brushes to sweep off the loosened debris. And a special blower car to dry the bridges. And a special car with an articulated arm that can pass a spray gun through the openings in the framework to paint all the surfaces. And a special arduino to control it all. And maybe another ten years. Nah. Actually, now that I think about it, I've probably just about all of those, except the articulated spray arm, already modelled in some form.

You forgot... the locomotive!

Nodrog1826 Personally I found the dirt and debris on buildings was superficial. My railway was built on a bed of fine gravel which wind and rain turned into a stucco finish, a quick go under a running tap and a soft brush from a dustpan and brush set I found was enough to clean everything up. I did try a pressure washer once and had to fetch a figure from the park.

 

[FatherMcD]

You forgot... the locomotive!

Nodrog1826 Personally I found the dirt and debris on buildings was superficial. My railway was built on a bed of fine gravel which wind and rain turned into a stucco finish, a quick go under a running tap and a soft brush from a dustpan and brush set I found was enough to clean everything up. I did try a pressure washer once and had to fetch a figure from the park.

Oh...you're right. How about this one?

 

[pugwash]

Oh...you're right. How about this one?

I would Johnny Cash that one, you know:

 

[FatherMcD]

I would Johnny Cash that one, you know:

 

[Andrew Foster]

When I was building the GME bridges I once asked a paint manufacturer how they recommended preparing for painting. The rep didn't hesitate - he said the best preparation was a certain old-established and very well-known laundry detergent; the original vicious formula and not the benign modern version. He also said he'd never wash his clothes in the stuff, but you couldn't beat it for paint prep. I used plastic window boxes as troughs for washing and rinsing, with brushes similar to tooth brushes and nail brushes to get into the details. Our water is very hard, so after rinsing the bridges I blasted them (outdoors...) with methyl alcohol from a spray gun to make sure there were no deposits. So far, I haven't heard from customers about any problems with paint adhesion.

Andrew Foster

 

[Trent]

Toying with the idea of repainting my bridges, into corporate green as it were, one of those over winter or early for next year jobs, someone out there must have repainted one.

I am looking for advice not on the repainting, but it would be helpful, more on the initial prep to do so. Mine have been outside all year round for a while now.
So they will need a good clean before any repainting, so I am looking for pointers in the cleaning and initial priming area, what works and what to avoid, or if it is indeed worth doing.

View attachment 332679

In general, after you get the grime off, the best prep is to wipe down with 70% isopropyl alcohol. Krylon has a paint line called Fusion that is meant to fuse to various common plastics, but I’d try it on the bottom of the bridge first.

Need a scale pressure washer? And old Waterpik works great!

 

[tac foley]

How about a run through the dishwasher and then, if needed, a warm, soapy water and tooth brush job?

You have a dishwasher that can hold a three-foot long bridge?

 

[playmofire]

You have a dishwasher that can hold a three-foot long bridge?

The size I didn't appreciate.

 

[Nodrog1826]

Appologies, should have updated this a while back, but for closure they are now green.

As shown here, if the linky works.

Post in thread 'Eighton Bahn AKA testing testing RhB'

14 Nov 2024

Sunnier/Summer days or not, one of the items on the things to do list has been ticked off, with the aide of cheap rattle paint cans from Aldi...







...the last of the bridge painting is now done and re installed, they are a bit rough n ready, more of a car crash of a paint job, but I never said I was any good at painting.

• Nodrog1826

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