I am in the process of attempting to paint a few trains for the first time. I know you have to "bake" the actual paint, but do you also recommend first "baking" the train after it is sprayed with primer? I keep thinking that baking it will reduce the primer's glue-like stickiness which the actual paint will adhere to, which of course is what primer is for. Or I am quite possibly wrong.
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I slow cure/bake each coat of primer, paint, clear etc in a commercial stainless dehydrator at 130 degrees for six to eight hours each coat.
I generally bake diecast body shells and the like in an old toaster oven at the lowest setting for an hour, allowing plenty of time for the castings to cool between coats of primer, paint and gloss. Do NOT bake plastic parts, obviously...
Mitch
Primer actually provides a texture with the topcoat bonds to which improves the paint adherence to the part. I also bake the primer most of the time.
I have been stripping and painting trains since back in 1959. I do not use a primer at all unless a tin plated or cast item has had pitted areas that needed to be lead filled, soldered in, or epoxied to a smooth finish. This just gave a uniform color finish to the pieces and adhesion for the paint color. I do not think you will ever find an Ives, or Lionel piece other than maybe a modern era item that has been primered before being painted. I bake all our restored items for 15 min. @ 200 degrees in an electric home type oven. I have seen items we restored back in the 60's from a local collector being auctioned, and the "EXPERTS" insisted that they were original mint pieces. Thank you!! The items took on a really nice 'patina' over the years, and I could not be happier. Harry 
I too rarely use primer on tinplate restorations.
Agree with not putting primer on tinplate. Diecast is porous compared to tinplate so I do primer it.
OTOH, I do prime and bake brass shells before final colors. 
Mitch
I prime everything so I get the same even color and finish on all my parts. Yes, I bam the primer before finish coat
New thread started
Should all this "baking" be done outside, so that fumes aren't dangerous, or can it also be done inside the house?
CountOrlock posted:Should all this "baking" be done outside, so that fumes aren't dangerous, or can it also be done inside the house?
I'm single, so the occasional whiff of baking paint from the kitchen doesn't bother me. As for fumes, just run the stovetop vent and that deals with 'em...
Mitch
Baking paint is only stinky for a little bit. Baked a primed brass tender frame last night. Tonight I’ll paint it then bake it again and put the tender back together. A lot of work to solder a bolsterback on
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