Recommend a brass primer/prep method?

[biker_ray_pa]

I've never painted brass before, and I now have two projects that demand it - some fire escapes and such on my N-scale buildings, and some detail parts on a 1:650 USS Enterprise. Is there a good all-around primer that works for both plastic and brass, or is there a separate brass-specific primer I should be looking for? Also, I've read that brass parts should be sandblasted (seriously?) before painting. Is it enough to run over the small parts with some sandpaper instead? Thanks for your help, I really don't want to mess these up, especially the Enterprise details - those things weren't cheap!

[peteski]

For small delicate things with very fine detail (like brass fire escapes or small scale railings) that will not be handled much, I do not prime them at all.  Every layer of paint adds thickens to the parts and destroys the realistic lacy look.

I use "stinky" solvent-based paints, and they all adhere well to clean metal.  I do give the parts a good cleaning (in lacquer thinner or alcohol).

But if you use water-based paints, then primermight be needed for good paint coverage. I cannot offer any hints about those paints.

[Mike C]

   Vinegar will work . .( Several hours will not cause a problem on good heavy brass - vinegar is only about 8% acetic acid. Use distilled white vinegar. I routinely use 30-50% acetic acid on brass cars .)  from the internet ....Mike

[peteski]

   Vinegar will work . .( Several hours will not cause a problem on good heavy brass - vinegar is only about 8% acetic acid. Use distilled white vinegar. I routinely use 30-50% acetic acid on brass cars .)  from the internet ....Mike

Some frets of photoetched brass have a clear coat (leftover from the etchign process) on them so vinegar will not etch them.  It is a luck of a draw which type of etchings you have.