Juan Sebastian Elcano / The Moshulu Build Log

[JacquesCousteau]

Personally I would go for painting it, but it's really up to you, the brass doesn't look bad on this as it's not intended to be a 100% accurate representation. But be aware that brass can be tricky to paint, a lot of paints don't stick to it well. Some people chemically blacken it, which also generates a rougher surface that's easier to paint. I personally don't really like blackening, as it requires a highly toxic solution and produces a toxic dust residue, but I do quite like the color produced by blackening. (It's also a much more efficient and permanent way of coloring chains, which otherwise are very tricky to paint). I use a miniature modeling primer spray that for whatever reason adheres fairly well to brass, after first washing the part in water with dish soap, vinegar, and rubbing alcohol (and avoiding touching it directly afterward) to remove any residues that may impede adhesion.

 

[Ignatius27]

JacquesCousteau - The figurehead for Esmeralda is actually pewter and I painted it with gold paint to achieve the brass effect. And I can easily paint over the gold paint, no problem. Given that I won't need to use toxic chemicals, would you still recommend staying with the brass color or should I go with semi-gloss black?

 

[JacquesCousteau]

I hadn't realized it was already painted. Up to you, then! Interestingly enough, the Chilean National Maritime Museum has the old figurehead of the Esmeralda on display.