.

I use adhesion promoter made for flexible parts on automobiles. It comes in an aerosol can and be be found at most automotive paint and part suppliers. You just spray a coat on the parts and before it dries, you spray your color coat which binds to the still wet flex agent.

I've been using it for years with no problems of any paint flaking. The only downside is that you must spray your color coat, you can't brush it over that product.

Mark.

Gotta mark this hint

for future reference!  Thanks for passing it along Mark!

Nick
 

Sounds like exactly the thing

Sounds like exactly the thing that should do the trick, thanks! I'm spraying (almost) everything anyway.

Radio Control Car Paint

The paint made for R/C car bodies will also work.

Lou in California

Atlas/Kato #37701

Hey CandOfan,

Was at a model train show in Plano, Texas back about 2012 and picked up a Accurail box with a RSD-4/5 undec., no papers.  went on line for research.  E-mailed Atlas,  was told it was older item with Kato drive.

Casting #37701.

Will become MILW#570.

Hand rails do look fragile.

 I Might look into a metal replacement railing.

Please show it in the future when finished.

Boudreaux,  B.C.E.  R.R.

I have the Atlas parts catalog for it.  Does help me.

Let me know if you ever need part numbers.

Not fragile

Well, these ones definitely aren't fragile, and I rather suspect that this is the root of the problem. They're a bendy, shiny plastic material that's quite unlike the styrene in the shell, and the paint really doesn't adhere to it. They actually look pretty good, at least in undecorated form.

It hadn't occurred to me to just replace them, but that's a reasonable suggestion too. My attention is getting pulled in many directions at the moment as my layout room has just been finished and benchwork starts going up late next week when I return from a trip. This RSD5 is pretty close to completion, though: the handrails, replacing the horn (which somehow disappeared a few months ago), DCC/sound conversion and weathering. Well, that doesn't sound so close, does it?

Adhesion Promoter sounds promising

Mark R - Thanks for the tip. It sounds easier than grit blasting the rails, which is my method. Can you post a photo of the product or a link to the manufacturer please? 

Badger ModelFlex

Wasn't the Badger line of ModelFlex paint recommended for use on slippery plastic surfaces (like handrails)?  If I recall it was supposed to resist damage when flexed.

The adhesion promoter I use

The adhesion promoter I use is made by Proform, but there are numerous other brands as well ....

Mark.