please do i need to use eching primer,if so can i use accrellec paint over it, thanks david martin

I painted my 1/48 Sherman barrel straight on the metal, With tamiya acrylics, if you dont handle it it should be fine, just make sure the surface it oil and grease free before application. If you want to be safe use a decent primer.

Tamiya has covered my metal barrels just fine with no primer

D:After cleaning with a solvent based cleaner,I scuff the barrel with a grey scuff pad,clean again,prime(or not)and paint.I have had good results both ways.The most important thing is to make sure the part IS CLEAN.Jeff

You may want to look for primer for metal objects. Here in The States, I use Rustoleum.

If i am painting a metal barrel then i just spray it with a primer used on real cars ,,its called Dupli color and it is an automotive spray paint in a can ..works brilliant and sticks extremely well ,,but as Jeff says ..make sure its real clean .
It comes in dark gray.light gray.white.black and red oxide.drys fast and very even .
All my models get primed with this paint .

Phill

I "prime" most of my builds and all of my metal bits with a Floquil RR enamel - "engine black" - prior to doing the base coats (usually with Tamiya acryls or with Testor's ModelMaster enamels). The Floquil RR paints have ultra-fine pigments and were formulated to go on in very very thin coats on brass model trains... great adhesion, able to beat oily finger-prints in a single coat, etc.! I completely endorse the "clean all before painting" approach - but a good primer will save you when you slight this step! Tamiya acryls do nicely straight onto metal - but you must be careful as any handling may knock paint off.

Bob